US v Turkey friendly

The team is set, and with 2 games left until the 12th you would expect to see more of the regulars. Gooch will get his next opportunity, let's see if a 5'8" dude out jumps him like the last time out.

Lineups? expectations?

 

That's my biggest fear - someone getting hurt. Turkey plays tough, these are the guys that received a ban from UEFA after starting a violent fight with Switzerland! Then, of course, there's the general mayhem of Philadelphia and it's fans, I hope there's a D-cell check as you come in. I. of course, wouldn't miss it for the world. But the batteries will stay home.

 

GK?
Spector ---- Demerit -- Goodson --Bocanegra
Holden ---- Edu ----Bradley ------ Donovan
--------- Dempsey ------ Altidore -----------

probably not Holden and Edu after they went the full 90 on Tuesday, but that's what i WANT to see.

 

Don you are killing me with the Clark start over Edu. Plus, you are not getting Benny any time in this match (even though I would want to see him start next to Jr). Aaarrrggghhhhh!!!!!

 

Eric the pirate is ready to take a bite out of HD.

Here is my line up:

----------Hahnemann
Spector--Goodson--Gooch-Boca
Holden--Edu---Bradley---Donovan
--------Deuce
---------------Jozy

I posted somewhere last season during the All Star break that I thought Holden would start in the World Cup and I'm sticking with it. He was very good against the Czech's and both our goals were off of his set pieces. For the Turkey match, I also could see Bob starting Beasley at.. drum roll.....left back and moving Boca in to the middle with Gooch and Goodson taking a seat on the bench. Yes I said LB. Bornstein got killed against who knows what his name was on the Czech's, so how do you think he'll do against the England wingers? Bob is thinking the same thing and I think he just might try out Beasley in this match, just to see even though we all know that experiment failed once already.

 

Feilhaber, if fit, needs to play. Let's not forget he can produce moments of brilliance like few others in the U.S. shirt can.

 

OK Don, not like you have to please me or anything. Maybe I just like to say Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!! whenever I see Clark in there. Hopefully he learned something about touch and vision at Eintract.

 

This was the opposite of the last match. US looked bad early moments, then like the Czechs started putting it together... and it wasnt at the half... they started clicking at about 30'.

The back line is still suspect but improved a LOT.

Altidore's the real deal... he deserves to start. Dempsey did a-okay. Our midfield aint bad.

 

Did stuff around the house and in the yard. When I get around to checking what time the match is on, and...It's over, Son of a Biscuit

 

Just finished. All that proved was that our bench is better than Turkey's

Lando has to be key for us and he was invisible 1st half. He needs to be in the middle and touching the ball each and every time we gain possession.

I felt Benny was crap. Clark was uninspiring. Bradley looked lost most of the time.

I dont even want to go into our back 4.

Demps had a lot of stray touches, but picked up a goal so you have to give it to him.
As soon as Lando started coming into the middle and touching the ball more - everything turned around... Lando is our Tuncay - why the hell would you put him in an area where he cannot dictate play?

 

I missed the first half and watched the 2nd through some interuptions, but I didn't think it was that bad. Findlay looked better than I remember seeing him. We looked fast today and the guys made a lot of good runs. Both goals were good and we came close a number of times.

I know it's just a friendly, but I feel more optimistic after what I saw today. We might make it out of the group yet. And the best part, I had no volume so I was spared whatever Harkes moaned about.

 

Second half was much better - I agree with that.

You have to see the first half tho - if you can.... Well, I take that back. Better to have a feeling of optimism.

 

I thought Torres played great today.

I also think the US is in best shape with Donovan and Dempsey on the wings, which means someone needs to play along (or behind) Jozy.

Whether that is Buddle or Findley, I don't know.

 

And the back line is scaring the crap out of me, although things got a little better in the second half with Gooch.

 

And also with Cherundolo, who is just better than Spector. Bornstein, not so much.

 

We've found our starting XI - it was who we had on the field at the start of the 2nd half.

'Dolo is now our starting RB

Torres is now starting beside Junior at CM

Findley is now starting up top next to Jozy

Dempsey and Donovan are on the wings, where they belong, with Clint on the left and Landon on the right.

Our team shape, our team balance, and our rhythm was horrible in the first half. That all changed with the changes and we dominated a very good Turkey side.

Oh, and the atmosphere in the stadium was awesome, too