This is what I suspect Klinsi will go with against Colombia on Friday:
Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Johnson; Bradley, Jones, Bedoya; Zardes, Dempsey, Wood
For this game, I'd have no great complaint, even with my normal FabJo-at-left back beef. Zardes and Wood were too good the other night to sit now, and the thought of a tired Castillo trying to defend Colombia is admittedly a bit nervy. This is the same reason I'm not too upset Gonzalez was left out and, thus, fine with Cameron in defense. I would rather have Nagbe starting than Zardes (with Bedoya moved to RW), but hey, beggars can't be choosers. If he holds general tactics, I'm inclined to roll with the boss' play into this contest.
To get inspired for Friday, here is a good Guardian bit on another time the USMNT made some entertaining Copa history.
- Greg Seltzer
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14 comments:
Yeah I think that is the 11. As much as I would rather see Nagbe in there and don't think Dempsey works there in a 4-3-3, it always seemed inevitable that the next generation wouldn't really get a shot to take over in this tournament. If Clint and JJ are still starting in these spots when the world cup rolls around it will really be an indictment of our national team system (as much as I have always been a fan of theirs).
(for the record rather than moving Nagbe in for Zardes as you suggest, I would move Zardes up top where he belongs and then you could slot Nagbe into Zardes' spot. though really I'd take out JJ and put Nagbe in there. Within the limits of this 18 I guess that means i start Pulisic but really I'd be having Lichaj on the left and Fabjo up higher. But agreed, in the context of this 18, Fabjo belongs at LB).
Wait, what???
I think you are right. The only wrinkle would be the start against Ecuador where Wood sat and a defensive player like Zusi was started. The idea would be to bottle up Colombia for 60 minutes then bring on Wood, Nagbe, Pulisic to get a goal. Worked against Ecuador.
I think you are right. The only wrinkle would be the start against Ecuador where Wood sat and a defensive player like Zusi was started. The idea would be to bottle up Colombia for 60 minutes then bring on Wood, Nagbe, Pulisic to get a goal. Worked against Ecuador.
@Patrick If that's the approach, I think JK's plan is to bring beckerman in to the midfield 3 which probably puts Bedoya out wide right. Still see JK talking about different ways to use Bradley against different teams. Sounds to me like he means further up the field with Beckerman in his old slot. Meh.
In a different world, where I was head coach....I would still struggle. Here is my ideal lineup for the US - based on talent AND 2018. For me this is WCQ and beyond...
GK: Howard/Guzan are a wash....they both have strengths and weaknesses
Def (4):
LB - Licaj? Everyone is untested. I actually didn't mind the Besler at LB experiment. The US, like many teams around the world do not have a top tier LB
CB - I think Brooks/Birnbaum (Cameron, Besler, Miazga all in it)
RB - Yedlin
Mid (3):
LM - F. Johnson for sure
CDM - Bradley
RM - Nagbe
Fwd (3):
LW - Pulisic
CF - Wood
RW - Bedoya (but you could argue, I think reasonably, he is better CM. I would say we don't RW version of Pulisic)
Alternate lineup
Johnson - Wood - Pulisic
Nagbe - Bradley - Bedoya
Licaj - Brooks - Birnbaum - Yedlin
Both seem pretty exciting. We need a proper and an proper RW if this 4-3-3 would work perfectly.
..need a proper LB and proper RW (correction)
Then there is reality....
Greg, I think your expected lineup is probably correct but I think there's a strong chance we'll see Beckerman in for Bedoya, pushing Bradley upfield.
won't be surprised to see beckerman starting somewhere.
I suspect you guys are right with the Beckerman guess for tonight. Some suspicious JK comments makes it clear that he still wants to pretend Bradley is a 10. Beckerman's play has taken a noticeable dive in possession stats. If he is our starting 6 we could be looking at a looooong night. We'll have enough trouble keeping the ball without Nagbe starting, but replacing him (effectively) with Beckerman probably doesn't end well. Who knows maybe he can have a throwback match where he is at least able to be an effective man mark on James. I think, unfortunately he is a step too slow for that now.
we may want a more defense minded 6 than bradley to match james. I don't think it's enough reason to put in kitchen or beckerman, but that may be the train of thought for klinsmann
I am actually kind of curious if people who think we are crazy when we point out the issues with Klinsi's "coaching" and lineip choices revisit posts like this and say something like "oh i see now" or just pretend that these conversations never happened.
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