What Is Your Take on the U.S. National Team's Defensive Setup?
Omar Gonzalez had a tough day at the office against Mexico. Geoff Cameron doesn't really have a position. Fabian Johnson doesn't either. Are you OK with all of that, or do you think changes need to be made? Graph your position below and share some thoughts. To read what others have to say, hover over any shaded cell.
Posted
April 03, 2014 12:40 PM
April 03, 2014 12:40 PM
We Have the Right Guys in Place
Urgent Personnel Changes Needed
Everything is Going to Be Fine
The U.S. Will Be Scorched in Brazil
I wish I could "reply" to some of these posts, LOL!
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even-keeled
Everything is going to be peachy!
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Eternal Optimist
To Paraphrase POPEYE: We ares who we ares and we ares no more.
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Fredo
Gonzo scares me less than DMB or Beasley do so I'd keep him and Besler at CB so that Cameron and FJ can be our fullbacks. Goodson could replace Gonzo due to his consistency but it wouldn't be much of an improvement on average.
I could put this over closer to the left but since the first choice team hasn't played together for a while and since I want to hope the US will pull it together I'm going closer to the center.
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wandmdave
<-- meant Gonzo scares me more than DMB and Evans.
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wandmdave
More so because we will face difficult opposition, but our personnel doesn't inspire a ton of confidence, either
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Bryan
Who else is there?
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Michelle
MIDFIELD IS STRONG,
THEY MAY NEED TO COME BACK TO HELP DEFENCE
AND THEN RUN BACK TO
HELP FORWARDS.
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DAVE
I think we'll be ok, but the lack of a firm commitment on who is playing the back line (it seems like musical chairs lately) isn't inspiring a lot of confidence.
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James
Besler and Omar both had slow starts to the season last year as well. I think they'll get it together.
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John
It's a little concerning to still be discussing where on the field people should be playing and not just who is our #1, #2, etc...but there's quality players that will reinforce each other once they're brought together. The centerbacks will be better with Cameron and F Johnson next to them instead of Beltran and Parkhurst.
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Tom
I think the right guys are there with some good shuffling. Fabian Johnson will play fullback and someone will take over Omar's spot, but that guy's already in place: either Cameron or Goodson. That said, We're likely to get the rough end of things this summer regardless.
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KXRTI
Gonzalez is getting WAY too much criticism. CB is worrisome, but the other options aren't inspiring.
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Jeff
We may have the best we have out there but those teams in our group will score at will
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Tnikundiwe
George John is needed
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Z diggs
I'm not sure it matters what we do personnel-wise at Brazil. Even if you could drum up a talent improvement over the status-quo, there isn't enough time to get the players to gel together before the World Cup.
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Matt
Have you seen the opponents in the USA's group? It doesn't matter who plays, except for me, they'll get scorched!
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John Terry
The defensive situation is not as bad as the left back situation in 2010 where Jonathan Bornstein needed to start. However, the right mix needs to be found and fast.
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PMacD82
We have the players, it's just finding them the right positions. I think Chandler needs to be given a serious look, because Cameron and Besler seems to be the best CB pairing with Fabian on the Left. Parkhurst or Chandler on the Right. Omar is too mistake prone.
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Alex
"Cameron and Besler appears to be the best CB pairing" ... wait, WHAT!? Has that pairing ever played together? How can it be the best if it's never played together? Some may like the look of it on paper, sure, but that's only a dream.
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RT: Alex
FJ on the left, Besler and Goodson pairing with Cameron playing RB. You need someone like Goodson with experience to lead the back four.
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Kevin
Remember when central D was a strength (Balboa, Pope, Lalas, Dooley, Berhalter)?
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PS
Gonzales is NOT a starter
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Jim
Besler-Goodson would prevent mental mistakes
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Fronzo
I think our best bet is Beasley, Parkhurst, Cameron, and Gonzalez. If they are all fit for Bazil we could hold off even Ronaldo.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Right now, the US has all the tools it needs and hasn't figured out how to use them. I won't proffer a suggestion here, but our defenders are all decent players that could succeed at most levels given the right support.
Goodson, Besler, Cameron, Gonzalez, Yedlin, Parkhurst, Johnson, Beasley...
There's a great back four in there. We just have to find it.
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Geo
Gonzalez is the weak link. He has terrible communication skills that cost to many errors. He is 6'4 and is incredibly inconsistent in the air defensively. Goodson needs to be given time playing with Besler and even try Onyewu there. As of now Cameron is our RB but with Parkhurst's strong defensive play we could be able to possibly push him in the middle too.
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Dan Glysack
Gonzalesz not ready do prime time, better off with Goodson / Besler
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Anthony
Agree with the above
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Gunnerstahl
the D was unsettled a year ago and has only become more so the closer we get to the WC. Besler and Cameron seem set, but that is it.
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Pwyll
US will be great in the midfield and up front, but mistakes in the back line will cost them goals as well as a spot in the knockout round.
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JC
I think we have the right pieces, I just think Juergen is not quite putting the puzzle together correctly. My WC starting back line, from left to right: F. Johnson, Besler, Cameron, Yedlin
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Jake C
Pieces are there and I believe in Klinsy. People complained about no options and now that we have them, they still complain. My one big issue is OG. Goodson looks a lot smoother than he does. Cameron at CB would work too with Besler.
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Joe
Omar Gonzalez has always been a question mark in my mind, yesterday proved no different. Evans & Beasley should not and probably won't start at the World Cup. Besler is the only one who has played consistently at his position in the likely back four in Brazil. With all that uncertainty it's hard to believe we won't give up 2-4 goals a game against the likes of Ghana, Portugal & Germany. Only hope is, we find our attacking form. <Fingers crossed>
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John F.
Not looking good
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Stacy PFEIFFER
Yedlin terrorizing teams on the right, Cameron or Edu in for Gonzalez.
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Ben
Imagine if soccer in the US attracted the best athletes- LeBron as a CB would be insane. Middle of the field needs help, badly!
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MyOwnBobblehead
need a speed/tall/athletic freak cb...onyewu in his prime...they need to think outside the box and pick a guy who might have the resume but has the skills...all the tried options aren't it. fullback is fine with cam, fj, yedlin, parkhurst, maybe chandler etc....wouldve liked a backline that can contribute on O...but now just a d that wont leak goals would b great.
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adam
RB: Chandler (i know)
CB: Ream & Cameron
LB: F. Johnson
Parkhurst, Evans & Beasley as subs on the flanks. Besler as sub in the center
Omar: Go enjoy your DP status with the Galaxy for the summer.
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Wiese
It's high time to switch to Goodson or Cameron to RCB. Gonzo is a liability.
My back 4:
DMB, Besler, Cameron, Fabian
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Noah
Omar just isn't good enough. Cameron best option at RB but now we may need him in middle. Beasley at LB would be scary against our group stage foes. Fabian there? Then who on the right? This is looking ugly.
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Brian
Gonzalez must be gone. We need Johnson-Beslar-Cameron-Evans and be done with it.
I'd take Johnson-Beslar-Goodson-Cameron in a pinch.
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Xose
Julian Green will fix everything!
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Pundit
