Here's a team that I would start in a must-win game against a lesser opponent. It's clearly not the line up for the first group game in Brazil (which would be a "must-not-lose game" no matter who we're playing).
Forward:
Altidore. Any questions? E Johnson has to be in the 23 in case Jozy gets injured. EJ is the only other player (besides maybe Boyd) in the group that brings a similar combination of speed and strength to lead the line at the WC level. EJ's form and ability to play the wing means Boyd will be eating Sachertorte next summer.
Midfield:
Somewhat absurd to move Dempsey away from the goal, but he played in this position at times for New England and has the physical qualities to play in the middle of the park from the start. And this team is stacked with attacking options, so Dempsey plays CM, gets benched or one of F Johnson, Johannsson or Donovan has to sit. If I need goals, I don't want to sit any of those three - I want to see them buzzing around. FJ, AJ and LD share the ball more than Clint (who can be a selfish player at times) and Clint is not taking Jozy's place - so Clint's not in my front four. In this line up, Clint creates farther away from goal in front of Bradley.
Michael Bradley. Any questions? Jermaine Jones or Cameron would have to play next to Bradley against tougher competition. Other possible subs for Brazil are Sasha and Mix, who bring different qualities than MB, JJ and Cameron. I don't think it's going to happen for Stuart Holden. Also in the running are Corona or J Torres. Guess we can't rule out Edu and Danny Williams just yet.
Johnson and Donovan have the wheels needed for the wings and have shown the ability and desire to put in the defensive work - these are qualities needed for the position that Dempsey does not possess. Bedoya (who unlike Corona can challenge the other team with his mobility), Shea (the Odonkor "joker" for this team), Zusi (a starter if Donovan is injured) and EJ (more likely a super sub at forward) are the subs for the wide positions. I think it's pretty clear now that Corona is not a wide player (all his success has come when he tucks inside to his natural central position). J Torres has a chance because he's got the left foot and has shown some speed / quickness on both sides of the ball (that Corona doesn't have).
Johannsson. Ridiculous to slot him in as the withdrawn striker after 30 minutes, but it his speed of play and technique look like they are on another level. I'd love to see him develop a partnership with Jozy. Clint, LD, FJ, Corona and others could also play in this position, but I don't believe Johannsson plays wide - so AJ has to be the second striker.
Back line:
Beasley. He's a lock for me. Truly one of the great players of this generation. Part of Klinsmann's success is owed to bringing back players who Bob Bradley froze out, including DMB and EJ. DMB scored goals in the Champions League, for Manchester City and against Mexico in qualifying, and then had some injuries and made a mistake against Brazil in the Confed Cup and was a fringe player for BB after that. He has always deserved to be a starter for this team and has proved it again lately. Castillo has looked pretty solid on defense and going forward and, of course, FJ can play here too.
Besler and Goodson have been the best CB pairing. As the quick CB, Besler is preferred to Cameron because he plays this position for his club and makes fewer errors. Goodson is the preferred tall CB to Omar Gonzales because he is more likely to score on a set piece, seems to be a little quicker (on D and moving the ball around) and makes fewer errors. OG, Brooks, Cameron and Edu could provide cover.
Right back is the big question mark. If Steve Cherundolo was healthy and playing, he'd be my first choice. He's such a great player - I hope he's got one more WC in him. TC starts because SC is injured and TC is preferred to Parkhust and Evans in an attacking line up. But, honestly, both Parkhust and Evans have looked better than TC did away to Honduras. Maybe I should slot in Yedlin. Well, I guess I just convinced myself...
Keeper:
Guzan. It's probably because we have seen so much more of Tim Howard than any other keeper that I think of him making more positioning errors than Guzan. There were some key moments from the Slovenia (off his line on the shot from distance) and Ghana (beat near post) games at the last WC that make me question him. TH probably has better range than Guzan to pull off miracle saves, but I'd rather have a keeper who makes all of the routine plays. I doubt Howard will be benched because I don't think he'd take it well and it would be too disruptive to the group. NR looked good at the GC.
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Josh Westerman
over 10 years
Here's a team that I would start in a must-win game against a lesser opponent. It's clearly not the line up for the first group game in Brazil (which would be a "must-not-lose game" no matter who we're playing). Forward: Altidore. Any questions? E Johnson has to be in the 23 in case Jozy gets injured. EJ is the only other player (besides maybe Boyd) in the group that brings a similar combination of speed and strength to lead the line at the WC level. EJ's form and ability to play the wing means Boyd will be eating Sachertorte next summer. Midfield: Somewhat absurd to move Dempsey away from the goal, but he played in this position at times for New England and has the physical qualities to play in the middle of the park from the start. And this team is stacked with attacking options, so Dempsey plays CM, gets benched or one of F Johnson, Johannsson or Donovan has to sit. If I need goals, I don't want to sit any of those three - I want to see them buzzing around. FJ, AJ and LD share the ball more than Clint (who can be a selfish player at times) and Clint is not taking Jozy's place - so Clint's not in my front four. In this line up, Clint creates farther away from goal in front of Bradley. Michael Bradley. Any questions? Jermaine Jones or Cameron would have to play next to Bradley against tougher competition. Other possible subs for Brazil are Sasha and Mix, who bring different qualities than MB, JJ and Cameron. I don't think it's going to happen for Stuart Holden. Also in the running are Corona or J Torres. Guess we can't rule out Edu and Danny Williams just yet. Johnson and Donovan have the wheels needed for the wings and have shown the ability and desire to put in the defensive work - these are qualities needed for the position that Dempsey does not possess. Bedoya (who unlike Corona can challenge the other team with his mobility), Shea (the Odonkor "joker" for this team), Zusi (a starter if Donovan is injured) and EJ (more likely a super sub at forward) are the subs for the wide positions. I think it's pretty clear now that Corona is not a wide player (all his success has come when he tucks inside to his natural central position). J Torres has a chance because he's got the left foot and has shown some speed / quickness on both sides of the ball (that Corona doesn't have). Johannsson. Ridiculous to slot him in as the withdrawn striker after 30 minutes, but it his speed of play and technique look like they are on another level. I'd love to see him develop a partnership with Jozy. Clint, LD, FJ, Corona and others could also play in this position, but I don't believe Johannsson plays wide - so AJ has to be the second striker. Back line: Beasley. He's a lock for me. Truly one of the great players of this generation. Part of Klinsmann's success is owed to bringing back players who Bob Bradley froze out, including DMB and EJ. DMB scored goals in the Champions League, for Manchester City and against Mexico in qualifying, and then had some injuries and made a mistake against Brazil in the Confed Cup and was a fringe player for BB after that. He has always deserved to be a starter for this team and has proved it again lately. Castillo has looked pretty solid on defense and going forward and, of course, FJ can play here too. Besler and Goodson have been the best CB pairing. As the quick CB, Besler is preferred to Cameron because he plays this position for his club and makes fewer errors. Goodson is the preferred tall CB to Omar Gonzales because he is more likely to score on a set piece, seems to be a little quicker (on D and moving the ball around) and makes fewer errors. OG, Brooks, Cameron and Edu could provide cover. Right back is the big question mark. If Steve Cherundolo was healthy and playing, he'd be my first choice. He's such a great player - I hope he's got one more WC in him. TC starts because SC is injured and TC is preferred to Parkhust and Evans in an attacking line up. But, honestly, both Parkhust and Evans have looked better than TC did away to Honduras. Maybe I should slot in Yedlin. Well, I guess I just convinced myself... Keeper: Guzan. It's probably because we have seen so much more of Tim Howard than any other keeper that I think of him making more positioning errors than Guzan. There were some key moments from the Slovenia (off his line on the shot from distance) and Ghana (beat near post) games at the last WC that make me question him. TH probably has better range than Guzan to pull off miracle saves, but I'd rather have a keeper who makes all of the routine plays. I doubt Howard will be benched because I don't think he'd take it well and it would be too disruptive to the group. NR looked good at the GC.