While this lineup is somewhat of an experiment and is better suited for a year or two down the road, i believe it gives us a very well rounded 11 that works to cover the weaknesses of each player while also allowing the U.S. to play an attacking-dangerous style of soccer. The first obvious issue to be addressed is the back line. Although I believe Cameron is our best current center back, I don't think that it would be an ideal situation to pair him with Gonzalez. Any real U.S. fan is aware of the continual times that our center backs are beaten for pace. Although Cameron has decent pace, it isn't good enough to cover for the complete lack of speed that Gonzalez has. Okugu, although new to the position is absolutely a natural cb. He reads the game well, and he has very good ability to play the ball out of the back. Most importantly, he is very athletic and will ensure us not getting beaten for pace down the middle of the field. I disagree with people that put such emphasis on height for a center back, I'm much more keen on a cb that can move well. However, with the U.S. not being great in the air or on defending set pieces, it is necessary that we have at least one cb with height that will win headers. There isn't too many better at this than Gonzo. Outside backs must be able to attack,it is essential especially for this formation. At all times one of the outside backs will be acting as more of a wing-back. While I think Cherundolo is better than Chandler currently, I also think that the difference is minimal and now is the time to build for the future. Cameron is moved up to holding mid along with bradley, however bradley is expected to get forward and act as almost a second attacking mid, while Cameron sits in front of the back four. I feel more safe with Cameron at DM than any other option because he has more poise that Danny Williams and JJ, and he is also a much better defender. He is a disciplined player who will follow his role and not get caught forward. Lastly, he covers more ground than anyone is the US pool, so I think this should be utilized. Moving up, I like the idea of Mixx, flanked by Donovan and Dempsey. I don't think Clint has the pace to play wide and that is why in this system, Donovan and Dempsey will not play wide but stay slightly central and get forward constantly, almost acting as two withdrawn forwards. This leaves the touch lines open to be attacked by our two dangerous outside backs, thus the wing-back idea from above. While I don't think Mixx is in the top 11 U.S. players, It is absolutely essential that the U.S. integrate creativity into their play. Furthermore, I think Mixx is more creative than Torres, Klestjan, and Corona. With Mixx and Bradley feeding balls to Donovan, Dempsey, and Jozy, this gives us much more of an attacking threat.
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Matt Dodrill
about 12 years
While this lineup is somewhat of an experiment and is better suited for a year or two down the road, i believe it gives us a very well rounded 11 that works to cover the weaknesses of each player while also allowing the U.S. to play an attacking-dangerous style of soccer. The first obvious issue to be addressed is the back line. Although I believe Cameron is our best current center back, I don't think that it would be an ideal situation to pair him with Gonzalez. Any real U.S. fan is aware of the continual times that our center backs are beaten for pace. Although Cameron has decent pace, it isn't good enough to cover for the complete lack of speed that Gonzalez has. Okugu, although new to the position is absolutely a natural cb. He reads the game well, and he has very good ability to play the ball out of the back. Most importantly, he is very athletic and will ensure us not getting beaten for pace down the middle of the field. I disagree with people that put such emphasis on height for a center back, I'm much more keen on a cb that can move well. However, with the U.S. not being great in the air or on defending set pieces, it is necessary that we have at least one cb with height that will win headers. There isn't too many better at this than Gonzo. Outside backs must be able to attack,it is essential especially for this formation. At all times one of the outside backs will be acting as more of a wing-back. While I think Cherundolo is better than Chandler currently, I also think that the difference is minimal and now is the time to build for the future. Cameron is moved up to holding mid along with bradley, however bradley is expected to get forward and act as almost a second attacking mid, while Cameron sits in front of the back four. I feel more safe with Cameron at DM than any other option because he has more poise that Danny Williams and JJ, and he is also a much better defender. He is a disciplined player who will follow his role and not get caught forward. Lastly, he covers more ground than anyone is the US pool, so I think this should be utilized. Moving up, I like the idea of Mixx, flanked by Donovan and Dempsey. I don't think Clint has the pace to play wide and that is why in this system, Donovan and Dempsey will not play wide but stay slightly central and get forward constantly, almost acting as two withdrawn forwards. This leaves the touch lines open to be attacked by our two dangerous outside backs, thus the wing-back idea from above. While I don't think Mixx is in the top 11 U.S. players, It is absolutely essential that the U.S. integrate creativity into their play. Furthermore, I think Mixx is more creative than Torres, Klestjan, and Corona. With Mixx and Bradley feeding balls to Donovan, Dempsey, and Jozy, this gives us much more of an attacking threat.