Bench looks like:
Guzan (GK)
Boyd
Gomez
Shea
Kljestan
Edu
Jones
Torres
Lichaj
As Dempsey naturally plays as an inverted winger, Johnson is a natural choice behind him. Bocanegra and Cameron are pretty obvious choices in the center back. Edu gets the nod on the bench over Goodson because he provides flexibility on both the back line and in the center of the midfield.
Williams and Bradley find themselves in an asymmetrical double pivot role - with Williams forced to stay more at home with Johnson overlapping. This provides more freedom for Bradley like in the Scotland game.
Dempsey on the left and Donovan on the right are pretty standard. With Dempsey inverted and often playing off the shoulder of Altidore, Donovan will be forced into a more natural winger role like in a 4-3-3. I'd argue that's his best role.
Zusi playing the advanced playmaking role is a little bit of a gamble, but he has proven to be viable and he is in form. Kljestan is the other option here - or perhaps Dempsey can slide into that role if we bring on Shea in the second half.
Altidore or Gomez on top, depending on who we are playing. Boyd is also a flexible option if you need physicality up front.
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Devin Pleuler
over 12 years
Bench looks like: Guzan (GK) Boyd Gomez Shea Kljestan Edu Jones Torres Lichaj As Dempsey naturally plays as an inverted winger, Johnson is a natural choice behind him. Bocanegra and Cameron are pretty obvious choices in the center back. Edu gets the nod on the bench over Goodson because he provides flexibility on both the back line and in the center of the midfield. Williams and Bradley find themselves in an asymmetrical double pivot role - with Williams forced to stay more at home with Johnson overlapping. This provides more freedom for Bradley like in the Scotland game. Dempsey on the left and Donovan on the right are pretty standard. With Dempsey inverted and often playing off the shoulder of Altidore, Donovan will be forced into a more natural winger role like in a 4-3-3. I'd argue that's his best role. Zusi playing the advanced playmaking role is a little bit of a gamble, but he has proven to be viable and he is in form. Kljestan is the other option here - or perhaps Dempsey can slide into that role if we bring on Shea in the second half. Altidore or Gomez on top, depending on who we are playing. Boyd is also a flexible option if you need physicality up front.