U.S.A v. Mexico

Come On 'Los and Deuce!!

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php ... ws&id=2713

 

Finding my Team U.S.A. groove.

My Starting XI:

------------------------------------ Howard -----------------------------------------

----- Bornstein -------- Boswell ---------------- Boca ----------- Conrad -------

----- Dempsey -------- Donovan ---------- Mastroeni -------- Convey ---------

------------- Johnson ---------------------------- Twellman -----------------------

One questions, why is Albright still being named to these teams? He'll probably even get the start.

 

As an ignorant teenager over the ocean in England, I probably don't know best about US soccer, but couldn't this be the team:
(Why can't Onyewu play?)
Howard
Bornstein Onyewu Boca Conrad
Johnson Dempsey Mastroeni Convey
Donovan Twellman

Can't Johnson use his pace on the right wing, and Deuce act as a playmaker to the fron two.


See, I am quite stupid, am I not?

 

I wouldn't put Johnson on the wing, and as Don mentioned, I wouldn't start his butt either (maybe start, but then yank him at the half). Donovan is way more a midfielder than forward. Forward is easily our weakest position.

We could start a much stronger team, but Bradley obviously wants to give some guys time with their Club teams.

I believe we posted about the U.S.'s strongest squad some time ago. Let's see if we can find it.

 

If we could all these guys to play the friendly, then we would be much, much stronger.


--------------------------------- Howard ----------------------------------

--- Cherundolo ---- DeMerit ----------- Onyewu ------ Conrad -------

---- Dempsey ------ Donovan --------- Beasley ------- Convey ------

--------------------- Ching --------------- Cooper ------------------------


A little light in the middle, with the exception of Dempsey, but all are quick. And that back line is strong.

 

Howard
Albright Conrad Boca Bornstein
Mapp Donovan Mastro Convey
Twellman Dempsey

 

WHERE THE HECK IS JAY DEMERIT????

I'm tired of him not getting the caps he deserves.

And let's drop Donovan. The guy has had so many chances and hasn't delivered. It's time for someone else to step up.

 

From Sean O'Conor of YanksAbroad, who responded to my inquiry regarding Jay DeMerit's no call-up:

Christian -

"It makes no sense to fly a guy who has never been in the team across the world on a three day window, then get in one session, then throw him on against Mexico - it makes little sense."

Bob Bradley on Jay DeMerit; this seems to imply he could well be a part of the March camp.

Thanks,
Sean

 

Amazingly, the vibe I'm getting is that Mexico really, really, REALLY wants to win and Bradley just doesn't want to crap the bed. It is a friendly, so I am not going to throw on sackcloth and act as of the world is falling down if the US loses.

I think a big reason why there aren't more Yanks Abroad on this roster is because it is quite short-notice and Bradley doesn't want to PO all the potential Euro clubs for his (or his successor's) sake when the US plays later on. That said, I'm surprised Heath Pearce isn't here; he's the best LB in Denmark as I understand it...

Here's how I see the lineup:

Howard
Bornstein - Bocanegra - Conrad - Albright
Mastroeni
Convey-Donovan-Dempsey
Rolfe-Twellman

Johnson's been...not good; so I'd only use him in a subbing role. The midfield is pretty dang good provided Convey's OK and Pablo doesn't get too aggressive. I'd rather have Pearce in over Bornstein, but what can you do; he's not going to learn to play in big games unless he's in big games and this will be the closest one before the Gold Cup.

I think if they work hard and get their feet moving quickly, the US can hang with Mexico. It sure as hell won't be easy.

Don: You're right that the U20s got a lot of promise. That Adu guy can play! I'd keep an eye on the World Youth Championship, you know the team's good when they have to keep talented players off (e.g. Dax Macarty).

 

Landon Donovan is a bum.

 

heh.... I agree with don

Mexico simply WANTS this much more than the US... they're embarrassed by their post-2000 record here and will come in with a vengeance, no 'player tryouts' for them.

While most of us US fans will be watching individual performances, and yawn at the result.

 

A U.S. Win = Bradley can stay a little longer.

A U.S. Loss = Throw the bum out as soon as a half way decent alternative comes up.

Sorry Bradley, it's trial by fire, but more of the same is not going to cut it.

 

Steve Goff of the Washington Post will be running a chat during tonight's game. I don't have a link for the chat, but here's a link to his soccer blog, which is worth checking out too:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/

If you can't find a link to the chat in the blog, go to the Post's web site at www.washingtonpost.com.

Sorry for posting basically the same info here and in the MLS schedule thread, but I wanted people who were interested in tonight's game to see this as well.

 

No matter what Mexico does, they can't undo their defeat in the 2002 world cup at the hands of the red, white and blue!!

I have to disagree about Bradley's (or the YA guy, whoever said it) comment that it makes no sense to bring DeMerit over. It makes perfect sense to bring one the best US defenders over and get him into the MNT milieu. Granted, to throw him in a big rivalry like that without any prior national team experience is not ideal but c'mon, from the lineup Bradley's put together, he's not taking this game seriously anyway. Why not give DeMerit a go and see how things turn out? I don't see any harm in it. It's "just" a friendly anyway.

 

I agree, BC. But not inconceivable that as much as Aidy thinks DeMerit deserves a call-up, with relegation looming like a ominous cloud, Boothroyd may not have wanted a jet-lagged, key Defender on his hands for the weekend.

Still, let DeMerit and his employers decide on that. If he, Spector, and Simek were not invited (along with a few choice others in Europe), I am already down on Sunil's choice, and Sunil too.

 

What a great match! I underestimated the US team. Although they need to improve in some areas, they played very well overall. A few notable performances:

Howard- shaky at first but was pretty solid after that.
Conrad- man of the match for sure. He played extremely well shutting down Borghetti et al. He seemed to always be in the right position.
Boca- solid as always
Bornstein- played very well in my opinion. He shut down the flank and was very active on the ball.
Donovan- well, I have to eat my words. He was anemic for a fair amount of the match but his assist and breakaway goal were class. I guess we shouldn't get rid of him yet
Deuce- didn't get enough touches but made the most of them when he did. He continues to impress me.

Our attack was lacking but our defence was great and the team put in a great effort. We've got to get two strikers up front who work well together and we also need to get them better service. Overall though, this was a great win and may help Bradley become the permanent head coach. If he continues in this manner, I won't be opposed to that.