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It's certainly likely that Gordon's role is to come on late if they have to flood the box. Which would be awesome if this were College Football when you can dress as many as you want.It's just such a specific situational call-up. I half expect that JK is working to naturalize Rory Delap just so we can get some long throw-ins.
Exactly.So JK wants Jozy to be more effective in his system, but he's not giving him an opportunity to practice within it. Is this a German thing?
It's gonna be Tim Chandler wearing Shea's jersey and a wig.
I don't mind strategy when picking a team but is anyone else concerned that we don't really have pure crossers of the ball in this team? If JK was committed to this strategy, I could have seen Brad Davis on the team in place of Zusi.I guess with the expected bunkering, we can expect Cher and Fabian to be the main providers. Could we see Johnson get the start? Probably not unless Landon is really not ready.
It HAS to be that lineup. Gordon.I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
... wtf. I think you said it in your OP about this, andy- Lenhert and Wondo are far better pure finishers. It's astonishing to me that he'd include a guy who really is the weakest of his own team's strikers just because of his perceived aerial ability. How many game-winning goals- many from the air- has Lenhert had for the Quakes this year? Seems like he's a one man highlight reel. Hell- Jozy isn't bad finishing from the air either... And I agree that given his guessed at bunkered defenses, that he at least expects Cherundolo and Johnson to be getting forward a lot. Somehow, I don't see Guatemala playing along with this as much as he'd like.I know it's going to be a mess of a field in Antigua, but the US has looked its best since JK took over when they play the ball quickly through the MFs and switch the field. If LD and Shea are dinged up and can't go, that leaves a lot of guys that like to push into the middle and not take advantage of those wide positions.I know I reasoned somewhat JK's decision to not include Jozy, but wow- what a mind#### to both him and Wondo with that Gordon inclusion.
The Klinsmann hire _was_ radical change. He came from outside the program after two short, high profile managerial gigs with mixed results. He'd talked big about how he'd stir up US Soccer for a long time. You had to expect ego clashes between Klinsmann and somebody; the only uncertainty was whether it would be with the organization, senior players or opposing coaches. I guess it's fitting that Altidore is another striker.It'll all blow over if the team gets the results next week.
I think there's a greater emphasis on shorter passing, more conscious of possession in the midfield (not just clogging up the opposition's passing lanes), less wing play, and a better mental fortitude than under BB. I think that's been coupled with a decline in the physical talent available with LD showing a lot of age, Gooch a non-factor, 'Dolo and Bocanegra both aging, and the tragic story of Charlie Davies. Sure Michael Bradley, Duece, and Jozy have all gotten better (well Jozy's gotten better at the club level), and Jones's addition is welcome, but Edu hasn't stepped up his game enough, Shea is a big disappointment and Torres hasn't been nearly the playmaking passer we had hoped for.
I could see this, but would not mind Zusi starting over Donovan (assuming Donovan is not at 100%), then bringing LD in as a sub for the final 30 minutes. IF LD is dinged and can't go 90, I'd just as soon see his best 30 minutes at the end of games. Plus, I liked what I saw in Zusi last time out.'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
Jones is also dinged. Klinsmann thinks both Jones and Donovan are fine, but I wouldn't mind Zusi in for either of them. I'd probaly play a 4-2-3-1 with Bradley given lots of box to box license. I like keeping Deuce central when we can. If we are going to try to win balls in the box, I want Zusi in just for deliveries.I could see this, but would not mind Zusi starting over Donovan (assuming Donovan is not at 100%), then bringing LD in as a sub for the final 30 minutes. IF LD is dinged and can't go 90, I'd just as soon see his best 30 minutes at the end of games. Plus, I liked what I saw in Zusi last time out.'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
I agree. I think if Landon is not 100% it is likely that Zusi will start. In that case I think Zusi moves into Dempsey's spot and Dempsey moves to the left.I could see this, but would not mind Zusi starting over Donovan (assuming Donovan is not at 100%), then bringing LD in as a sub for the final 30 minutes. IF LD is dinged and can't go 90, I'd just as soon see his best 30 minutes at the end of games. Plus, I liked what I saw in Zusi last time out.'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
This is probably as close to our Best XI as Klinsmann has ever started. I certainly don't hate it.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
What lineup do you think Klinsmann will start? I don't like the formation myself but I am trying to guess what Klinsmann will do, not put out a lineup/formation that I like.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
If everyone was healthy it certainly would be the most in form 11 we have seen in a long time. Howard, Cher, Cam, Fab, Williams, Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley and Jones, ignoring the recent dings have all been playing a lot and playing very well for their club teams. Ironically, only Herc, the player favored over Jozy has not be seeing regular playing time when he is fit at Santos.This is probably as close to our Best XI as Klinsmann has ever started. I certainly don't hate it.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
It's not as if we can really predict shape anyway. Hopefully, Dempsey, Donovan, and Bradley will sit in where A&B gives them space. Even if it's with Dempsey as the 2nd striker, I think playing two up top against A&B makes sense. They're going to give us the midfield.What lineup do you think Klinsmann will start? I don't like the formation myself but I am trying to guess what Klinsmann will do, not put out a lineup/formation that I like.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
That is probably the best lineup he can start with this weak call-up selection, that is the depressing part. In reality, it will probably be even worse with Beckerman and Eddie Johnson included...What lineup do you think Klinsmann will start? I don't like the formation myself but I am trying to guess what Klinsmann will do, not put out a lineup/formation that I like.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
outside of Jozy for Gordon, who would you have selected different?What in Eddie Johnson's solid all around play this year has turned you off? He is not the player he once was IMO. Whether he can do it at the international level is another question, but the call up is not bad IMO, unlike say Gordon which makes no sense to me.That is probably the best lineup he can start with this weak call-up selection, that is the depressing part. In reality, it will probably be even worse with Beckerman and Eddie Johnson included...What lineup do you think Klinsmann will start? I don't like the formation myself but I am trying to guess what Klinsmann will do, not put out a lineup/formation that I like.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
Imagine if he picked Orozco-Fiscal over say Cam? Things could have gotten ugly
Agreed on all counts. If LD is replaced by Zusi, so be it. I might even go without Williams or Jones at the 65' mark in the game if a goal is needed to bust the bunker.It's not as if we can really predict shape anyway. Hopefully, Dempsey, Donovan, and Bradley will sit in where A&B gives them space. Even if it's with Dempsey as the 2nd striker, I think playing two up top against A&B makes sense. They're going to give us the midfield.What lineup do you think Klinsmann will start? I don't like the formation myself but I am trying to guess what Klinsmann will do, not put out a lineup/formation that I like.:X'NewlyRetired said:I am batting a sweet .000 guessing JK's starting lineups, so lets try again
Good lord I don't want to see Beckerman on the field any time soon. Maybe against S&B, but not Guat. I'd be willing to see EJ get another crack if the situation is right though.
The US is extremely "wingless" during this phase. Even in MLS true wingers are hard to come by (which is why Shea continues to get called even with weak play at club level).Gatt is the big hope out wide but his injury just before the last round of games killed any chance he has of playing in this round. He will likely get his chance come January as prep for the 4th round or as a show case for a new coach.
Hence the Gordon selection? Maybe JK wants to bully the A&B defenders in the air by throwing a big body at them like Gordon, who's 6'3" and appears like he can jump.
That's exactly why I'm not rooting for them to lose
I should be clear that I'm thinking of a Pontius type. With a few exceptions, I think the hug the touchline winger is going the way of the dodo. They all cut inside now. But a guy with some pace, who can hit a cross if need be, and who will take people on. And a guy who plays there regularly. Sasha might be a better player than Pontius, but at least it's Pontius' position.He's not ready now, but Gyau has the pace that could really help this team by 2014. I just pray he gets games at St. Pauli.
That's what JK has said. Johnson has been excellent in the air this season as well. So on one level, I do get it. Being a target guy isn't all about size and strength, it's about experience. Jozy is sometimes suprisingly lousy at using his body and Boyd too often runs around like a chicken with its head cut off. But Jozy has also had at least two beautiful layoff assists in big games (the knockdown header to Bradley against Slovenia and the one time layoff to Dempsey in the Italy win).I still think that on a bad field the absolute best skill for a striker is poacher's instincts and finishing. I get that Wondo has missed chances with the Nats, but he's the one guy who seems to have that and I think the national team stuff is just sample size aberration. You look at Wondo's finish in the all star game against Chelsea, and he's a guy who just knows how to take his chances. Scoring 25 goals in this era of MLS is very, very impressive, IMO. This isn't 1996, where Roy Lassiter could feast on naive backlines with pace (and by taking the 2 chances a game where he wasn't offside).
not only was he facing starting defenders in a 10 team league that would not even roster in a 19 team league today, he was also provided service by two of the best in MLS history in Valderamma and Ralston. It was the perfect storm for an athletic forward with decent skills at the time.
I really love the Gyau, Gatt type of player.Last I read about Gyua was he got his first start a couple of weeks ago and less than 24 hours later the coach was fired. I don't know what that means to his loan or playing time but he really needs to get on the field more at his age.I have been pimping Pontius since just before he got hurt last year. I think he is a lock for the January camp if he stays healthy.
Let's just hope there IS a January camp first.
Unless they run out of money there will be a January camp I think whether they qualify or not.
