The best part of game day for fans and pundits alike - minus, the game of course - is trying to figure out the starting XI that Bob Bradley will put out. The media are given the list one hour before kickoff, the same time that fans of the MNT blog get a peek.
But since that moment is still several hours away, let the predictions begin. Who do you think will be taking the field when the USA seeks to maintain their hold on the top spot of the final round hexagonal?
(We could post ours, but that would be cheating ...)
Okay, I'll play...
ReplyDeleteVery pumped for the game tonight. Doesn't come on till 1230am here though.
Here's what I think we'll see:
---------Ching------------
Beasley----Landon-----Dempsey
-----Torres-----Bradley------
Pearce--Bocanegra--Onyewu--Hedjuk
----------Howard---------------
Here's what I'd love to of see though:
---------------Jozy---------------
Dempsey------Adu----------Landon
--------Torres---Bradley------------
Beasley--Boca-----Gooch-----Spector
------------Timmy--------------
Do we think Adu will be in this roster? If not, the US have used the kid. Really is sad what they are doing to him... esp. after everything he has done for the Country growing up. Really couldn't imagine what's going through his head.
ReplyDeleteDaniel, settle down man. Freddy is 20 year old kid. He'll be fine. He's not playing for his club right now, so it's not shocking that he isn't getting minutes for the nats. He isn't owed anything, nor is he entitled to caps, especially if he's not getting club minutes. Good for Bob calling him up and letting him train with the team anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'd love to see him come off the bench tonight. I think he provides a spark, as well as unique qualities and capabilities nobody else in the squad has.
I agree completely with Gabe's lineup predictions and with his lineup for what I'd like to see.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to guess what we will see, but rather here is what I would like to see.
ReplyDelete----Ching-----Jozy------
Dempsey----Torres----Landon
---------Bradley--------
Spector---Bocs---Gooch---Hejduk
---------Howard--------
I think it'll be a standard 4-4-2 with Bradley, Pearce, Guzan, Califf, and Kljestan moving to the bench as Mastroeni, Bornstein, Howard, Onyewu, and Altidore starting in their places. They will lineup like this:
ReplyDeleteChing Altidore
Beasley Donovan Mastroeni Dempsey
Bornstein Bocanegra Onyewu Hedjuk
Howard
what i'd like to see:
ReplyDelete-------howard----------
hejduk-gooch-boca-beasley
donovan-bradley-torres-dempsey
------ching---altidore------
-----Jozy---Ching----
ReplyDelete---------Adu--------
--Torres--Bradley--Edu
Pearce--Boca--Gooch--Hedjuk
Sub Kljestan 60'
With Howard in goal
ReplyDeleteCorrection:
ReplyDelete-------howard----------
hejduk-gooch-boca-beasley
dempsey-bradley-torres-donovan
------ching---altidore------
Edu on for a central mid if needed.
Adu on for Ching around 60.
spector for beasley if needed.
-----Altidore-----Ching------
ReplyDeleteDempsey-----------------Donovan
------Torres-----Bradley-----
Spector--Gooch--Boca--Hedjuk
-----------Howard------------
I'm sorry but whats all the hype on Brian Ching, he can't play up top alone. How is he better than Altidore? Altidore has done nothing but absolutely perform with minimal time. Just give him a shot at a full 90, please!
ReplyDeleteGive Adu a chance as well. Jose really impressed me.
Did anyone else love seeing Beasley back deep on the field?
Here's what I'd LIKE to see....
-----Altidore+Dempsey-----
Torres--Bradley--Donovan--Adu
Beasley--Onyewu--Carlos(c)--Wynne
----------Howard------------
I'd like to see more of Altidore and Torres.
ReplyDelete-----Ching---Altidore----
Beasley-----------Donovan
-----Torres--Bradley-----
Spector-Boca-Gooch-Hejduk
--------[Howard]---------
----------Ching------
ReplyDelete---------Donovan------
Beasley--Bradley--Pablo--Dempsey
Pearch--Boca--Gooch--Hejduk
--------Timmy-------
subs: possibly freddy, jose, jozy, eddie TODAY!? maurice again..?
Agree with Gabe, except I don't see Torres starting quite yet. My guess is Pablo will be in there.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the above poster is right. Ching can do nothing as a lone forward. Altidore can but still sits behind Ching.
ReplyDeleteThe only time Ching is effective is when he has Altidore to lay off to. So either Bradley is going to have to switch to a 4-4-2 or sit Ching. I don't know if Ching has compromising pictures of Bradley but it doesn't seem like Bradley is willing to do either.
Adu needs to see the field. He's been the best player on the field in every NT game he's been in for the past year.
Ideal lineup:
----------Altidore------
-----------Adu----------
Donovan---Torres----Dempsey
-----Edu------Bradley---
Spector--Boca--Gooch--Hejduk
At all costs get Altidore on the field and Pearce/Beasley off of it.
I guess I left Howard off the field....:).
ReplyDeleteTake out Edu and go with that.
Altidore definitely needs to be in on more action. His impact on Saturday's game was both obvious to anyone watching and exciting!
ReplyDeleteOh, good call Jeff. I forgot about Mastro. You're right probably, I think he'll get the nod.
ReplyDeletePer Goff: Adu, Spector, Pearce and Califf not in uniform for USA tonight.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you people thinking putting Beasley at left back again..Did yall not see the 15 or 20 minutes of absolute terrible U-14 girl defending that he did and why play Beasley at left back when we have 2 capable left backs on the team
ReplyDeleteHoward
Hejduk Gooch Boca Bornstien
Dempsey Bradley Torres Klejstan
Landon
Altidore
I know some of you might wonder why Klejstan out wide but anything to get Beasley off the field..I think Klejstan and Dempsey will both tuck in a little bit allowing Hejduk and Bornstien to go forward.
This should be the lineup.
ReplyDelete-----Altidore----
Beasley--Adu-Landon---Dempsey
---Edu---Bradley---
---Pearce--Boca---Spector---
---Howard---
But it wont be. : /
-----Ching-----Altidore---
ReplyDeleteDempsey------------------Donovan
------Bradley-------Mastroeni-------
Beasley---Bocanegra---Onyewu--Hejduk
-----------Howard----------------------
Why do my posts never make it on?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you people thinking putting Beasley at left back again..Did yall not see the 15 or 20 minutes of absolute terrible U-14 girl defending that he did and why play Beasley at left back when we have 2 capable left backs on the team
ReplyDeleteHoward
Hejduk Gooch Boca Bornstien
Dempsey Bradley Torres Klejstan
Landon
Altidore
I know some of you might wonder why Klejstan out wide but anything to get Beasley off the field..I think Klejstan and Dempsey will both tuck in a little bit allowing Hejduk and Bornstien to go forward.
---------Ching-----Altidore-------
ReplyDeleteDempsey--------------------Donovnan
-----Bradley-----Mastroni------
Beasley--Bocanegra--Onyewu--Hedjuk
----------Howard---------------
Pocession football is a great way to get all pitch players involved, but when Mr Bradley's son turns the ball over without a shot on goal the crowd gets anxious. Shoot the rocket from outside and let the fans steer the sphere into the net.
ReplyDeleteRight?!?!?! beas is an awesome left back but serously i was kinda worried that he was gonna make a mistake ur something. It made the game alot more exciting seein him back there.
ReplyDelete