Jones injured and Brooks, Yedlin, Garza, Green, Gyau, Woods, Gil should all go to the U-23 camp in preparation for the Olympics. I expect to see an older team, which is why I foresee a lot of the WC players back in action. Rumors has it that some players might flip-flop between both camp and we all know JK doesn't mind running his players into the ground, but IMO, they should just play in with one team.
JK wants to play 4-3-3, but we don't have the talent or pace up front to do so. I think he'll try a 3-5-2 again. We'll be able to control the middle better with 3 box-to-box MF. He'll switch back to a 4-2-3-2 or 4-4-2 diamond when subs start coming in.
I think AJ is a better 9 than Jozy and we don't have to depend on a hold-up FW if we can control the ball in the middle. Plus the long ball always takes Clint out of the equation. With Bradley, Diskerud, and Bedoya, I expect us to counter on the ground more.
That being said, JK loves to stroke Jozy's ego, he'll get the nod, but AJ should start.
With this formation, Brek and Fabian are our best options. they're both D/MF who'll fly up and down the flanks. Chandler is more of a Defender than MF and Ibarra, Zusi, Bedoya aren't the best Defenders so Brek gets the nod at LMF. If it weren't for the U23 camp, Garza would be a in the hunt, but Brek is faster and more creative so he'll still get the nod from me.
Bedoya, who I think has been our best player since the WC, likes to play outside-in. It'll be interesting to see how he does starting inside. Didn't know if he should start next to Fabian or Brek, but I expect him and Mix to be everywhere in the middle not just on one side or the other of Bradley.
Cameron will play the 3/6 position with Danny William backing him up. That makes Gonzo as the clear cut favorite to start at RCB position. If it wasn't for the 3-5-2 formation, I would expect Beckerman to be included in this roster, but I don't think he'll even get called up.
Hardest decision for me was who plays at the LCB position. If it wasn't for the U23 camp, Brooks would get it no question. Besler has been struggling lately, but he'll probably still get the nod but I think Ream should get another look. Parkhurst is another option, but JK just doesn't like his size, as well as Goodson. I actually would love to see Matt Hedges get a chance. Birnbaum is a RCB and I'm not sure yet if he's versatile enough to play at LCB.
Guzan gets the nod even if Howard made himself available.
PS, If Alvarado decides to play for the US. He should be invited to the U23 camp.
PPS, Lot of good 24/25 year old in the USA system right now. Which 3 should get the overage invite to the Olympic team?
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Joe A
about 9 years
Jones injured and Brooks, Yedlin, Garza, Green, Gyau, Woods, Gil should all go to the U-23 camp in preparation for the Olympics. I expect to see an older team, which is why I foresee a lot of the WC players back in action. Rumors has it that some players might flip-flop between both camp and we all know JK doesn't mind running his players into the ground, but IMO, they should just play in with one team. JK wants to play 4-3-3, but we don't have the talent or pace up front to do so. I think he'll try a 3-5-2 again. We'll be able to control the middle better with 3 box-to-box MF. He'll switch back to a 4-2-3-2 or 4-4-2 diamond when subs start coming in. I think AJ is a better 9 than Jozy and we don't have to depend on a hold-up FW if we can control the ball in the middle. Plus the long ball always takes Clint out of the equation. With Bradley, Diskerud, and Bedoya, I expect us to counter on the ground more. That being said, JK loves to stroke Jozy's ego, he'll get the nod, but AJ should start. With this formation, Brek and Fabian are our best options. they're both D/MF who'll fly up and down the flanks. Chandler is more of a Defender than MF and Ibarra, Zusi, Bedoya aren't the best Defenders so Brek gets the nod at LMF. If it weren't for the U23 camp, Garza would be a in the hunt, but Brek is faster and more creative so he'll still get the nod from me. Bedoya, who I think has been our best player since the WC, likes to play outside-in. It'll be interesting to see how he does starting inside. Didn't know if he should start next to Fabian or Brek, but I expect him and Mix to be everywhere in the middle not just on one side or the other of Bradley. Cameron will play the 3/6 position with Danny William backing him up. That makes Gonzo as the clear cut favorite to start at RCB position. If it wasn't for the 3-5-2 formation, I would expect Beckerman to be included in this roster, but I don't think he'll even get called up. Hardest decision for me was who plays at the LCB position. If it wasn't for the U23 camp, Brooks would get it no question. Besler has been struggling lately, but he'll probably still get the nod but I think Ream should get another look. Parkhurst is another option, but JK just doesn't like his size, as well as Goodson. I actually would love to see Matt Hedges get a chance. Birnbaum is a RCB and I'm not sure yet if he's versatile enough to play at LCB. Guzan gets the nod even if Howard made himself available. PS, If Alvarado decides to play for the US. He should be invited to the U23 camp. PPS, Lot of good 24/25 year old in the USA system right now. Which 3 should get the overage invite to the Olympic team?