re: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying - Guatemala at USA

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Onyewu style of physical central defending is favored by the coaches.

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I like it myself, but it is frowned upon by international referees.

On WSD this afternoon, Andy Brassell said that Donovan has two things going for him--and I've been down on him for years,now, for pussing out in Leverkusen--1. The Bundesliga right now, is fairly offensive minded and it's wide-open as far as the table is concerned.
2. Jurgen Klinsmann LIKES Donovan, alot, and LD needs that reassurance even if he's on the subs. bench.

Also Podolski is becoming a bit disaffectd.

See, and I think Boca has really taken a backwards slide recently. He used to be 1a, I agree, but I’m not sure he will be worthy of a start come WC time. Though its hard to demote the captain. I used to HATE Dolo, but I think he has completely reformed himself. It could just be that he’s playing CONCACAF teams. But I think he’s become our #2 defender this year. I agree completely on Spector and Bornstein. I’ve always wondered who Danny Calliff pissed off to never get a real shot, but he’s now past his prime.

Hejduk is way past his expiration date. There is no way he should be on the next WC team, though he’s been one of our more reliable defenders for an eternity, it seems. He’s just not the same guy. Age catches up to everyone.

Clark-Padlo-Bradley… I really like that troika. This should be it’s own thread, but what is the lineup for the WC?

Dolo-Gooch-Boca-Spector
-----Clark – Pablo-----
Beasley-------------Donovan
-----Altidore-Cooper------

With Edu being the first defensive sub, Dempsey coming in for Beasley as the high work rate winger, and Adu as an offensive mid sub and Bradley as a super sub, and Pearce as a defensive sub.

Hmmm…. This needs more thought. I’m not thrilled with that lineup. I like that we have options for once.

I like Bradley too, he plays with emotion. Which is great unless you get caught doing something stupid.

I didn’t think you were being ugly. And you’re right.
Actually, you touched on the exact reason I said I’m not thrilled with the lineup. That was my first take. I have a man crush on Pablo, I think he should be the captain and he’s our best defensive mid (at playing defense – Bradley’s probably more rounded at this point). But yeah, not putting Bradley in the lineup is a big mistake. It was a first take. I’d have to start him over Clark.

Spector I’m assuming will be healthy in two years. I don’t think that’s too ambitious a timetable, but if he doesn’t regain form, I think we have the terrifying prospect of Pearce out there. Or, and I’ve heard this mentioned, go with only three DB’s and play a 3-2-3-2. That might better suit our style, and make it easier for Pablo to play with Bradley at defensive mid.

Beasley is the biggest enigma. When he’s on, he’s our best player. But he just gets lost sometimes. OK, a lot of times. He can make some thrilling runs and then just disappear for the rest for the game. I’ve been disappointed in Dempsey since the WC. He’s not playing with the same fire. He needs to get it back. If he goes back to being Dempsey of the WC, he’s a definite starter. I’m hoping Edu forces the hand to become a starter by WC time.

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3-2-2-1-2, diamond-type midfield formation

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Bradley would never play 3 in the back, though. But I agree with the idea.

Who would be the three backs? Keeping in mind, we need the two outside backs to be FAST and cover significant area

I think making Dempsey a forward ruins his effectiveness. He’s so much better creating havoc on the wings. But I like where your head is at with this lineup. I’d probably swap Adu and Dempsey in the formation, and you’re completely correct about the problem is finding the proper position, not talent.

maybe Beasley could drop back to right back? That would give this formation (assuming Spector can’t play b/c if he can, he’s our RB):

Simek/Dolo--Gooch/Boca—Beasley
-----Bradley—Pablo/Clark-------
Dempsey—Donovan—Edu
-------Adu—Altidore--------

Really, this does demonstrate Bradley’s dilemma. And I don’t think he’s a creative enough manager to come up with a solution. I like Bradley just not as the guy to guide us in the WC.

Playing with three in the back (and others elsewhere) almost overcomplicates things. I'd rather play with a vanilla flat back four. I think playing with three in the back has its merits and its place, but I don't think that this should be our de facto formation. I wouldn't want a track meet in the first group match of the World Cup. If we were to play it, I think we'd start to look for players like Marvell Wynne and Jonathon Bornstein. I'd rather play with what we have had.

I don't think Maurice Edu should play out on the left wing. If he goes anywhere, he slots into the backline (e.g. Olympics). He's not that type of player.

Our primary difficult definitely lies in finding spots for our attacking players. However, I'd sacrifice one or two players for stability.

Other "fixable" problems exist. We need to throw away the "empty bucket." We need depth through the midfield. We've been having the balled jammed down our throat. We need to find a truly serviceable striker. We may have found that in Altidore and may have had that in Kenny Cooper, but only time will tell.

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I think Beasley is a good defender... ....for an outside midfielder.

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Exactly. He's a midfielder who tracks back well. That doesn't necessarily mean that he will be able to play in the back and play there well. Wayne Rooney is a second-striker who tracks back well. On the odd occasion that he has played in the back, things have not gone very well. It's a strength of his as a midfielder, not necessarily as a defender.

I'd like to see something like this in 2010:

Cherundolo -- Onyewu -- Orozco -- ?
Bradley
Dempsey -- Beasley
Donovan
Adu
Altidore

In time, I hope we'll have a spot for baby Bradley nestled behind the front two