The US needs to get Altidore's confidence back. Things are not looking any better for him at Sunderland, so the main goal of this first half should be to improve his confidence, by putting him into a system where he isn't isolated and where he can link up with Dempsey and Bradley in the midfield. The other goal of this game needs to be the solidification of the backline. This starting 11 puts the 4 best defenders on the field, and tries to see how they will perform there. So Howard is the starting keeper, he needs to start. Parkhurst has played in the champions league, so he has experience at right back, and I think he is the best option if you need Cameron in the middle, which you do need, because Gonzalez looks horrible. Besler is stud who should start, and Fabian Johnson is a starting LB in the Bundesliga who managed to tie Bayern Munich this year (how??), so I think for that experience he is the best option come Brazil. Beckerman was brilliant against Mexico, so I think he deserves the start, bring Edu, Williams, or Jones on at half time and see if they will do any better and be as disciplined. Donovan and Zusi should be on the wings, both are really good at swinging crosses, and Zusi looks to be readily improving in MLS and in his National Team performance. Donovan's form has been spotty of late, but if it improves I expect him to start. If he looks poor then bring Green or Bedoya on for him at the half. Against El Tri we treated to the "complete Michael Bradley experience" which was something to watch. Mexico's coach put it best, I really think Bradley in the middle as a CAM is an X-Factor for the US. If he stays healthy, then the sky is the limit for him and the US. Dempsey should play as a withdraw forward in order to link up with Altidore. Altidore has to start over Johansson. Johansson has been scoring like crazy, but poor Altidore has had a terrible year at Sunderland, partially because of Poyet's system, partially because he gets poor service, and partially because he has no confidence. He needs to improve the confidence, and being able to link up with Dempsey and Bradley will help him do so. If Altidore can get into scoring positions, he should get the service from Bradley and the wingers. It should also be said that this is the first time in over two years that Altidore, Donovan, and Bradley will have played together, so I am expecting good things.
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Alex Pollock
over 10 years
The US needs to get Altidore's confidence back. Things are not looking any better for him at Sunderland, so the main goal of this first half should be to improve his confidence, by putting him into a system where he isn't isolated and where he can link up with Dempsey and Bradley in the midfield. The other goal of this game needs to be the solidification of the backline. This starting 11 puts the 4 best defenders on the field, and tries to see how they will perform there. So Howard is the starting keeper, he needs to start. Parkhurst has played in the champions league, so he has experience at right back, and I think he is the best option if you need Cameron in the middle, which you do need, because Gonzalez looks horrible. Besler is stud who should start, and Fabian Johnson is a starting LB in the Bundesliga who managed to tie Bayern Munich this year (how??), so I think for that experience he is the best option come Brazil. Beckerman was brilliant against Mexico, so I think he deserves the start, bring Edu, Williams, or Jones on at half time and see if they will do any better and be as disciplined. Donovan and Zusi should be on the wings, both are really good at swinging crosses, and Zusi looks to be readily improving in MLS and in his National Team performance. Donovan's form has been spotty of late, but if it improves I expect him to start. If he looks poor then bring Green or Bedoya on for him at the half. Against El Tri we treated to the "complete Michael Bradley experience" which was something to watch. Mexico's coach put it best, I really think Bradley in the middle as a CAM is an X-Factor for the US. If he stays healthy, then the sky is the limit for him and the US. Dempsey should play as a withdraw forward in order to link up with Altidore. Altidore has to start over Johansson. Johansson has been scoring like crazy, but poor Altidore has had a terrible year at Sunderland, partially because of Poyet's system, partially because he gets poor service, and partially because he has no confidence. He needs to improve the confidence, and being able to link up with Dempsey and Bradley will help him do so. If Altidore can get into scoring positions, he should get the service from Bradley and the wingers. It should also be said that this is the first time in over two years that Altidore, Donovan, and Bradley will have played together, so I am expecting good things.