I think that you have to build a foundation on defense, and the real question is who to play at left back. I wasn't impressed by CB out there in the A-B game, but he and Cameron are both very good in the center. I picked Parkhurst but might have gone with Goodson at LB as well.
The D-mids need to provide cover for the backline, but also make a contribution going forward. The key to the game is figuring out how to score on Guatemala; (a 0-0 tie gets the US through, but that ain't a game plan). Bradley and Williams can both shut it down coming in, and make something happen on the way out. Zusi and Kljestan need to make runs to set up crosses. Guatemala will pack it in - bomb 'em in from the side and make them defend in the air from an angle.
EJ has some good momentum going, so I think you can start him up top; he's a great target for Z/K service. Dempsey can sit in the middle and either be a scoring threat or try to make something happen. More likely the former, with the amount of traffic that will be in the penalty box. Oh, yeah. T-Ho as the keeper.
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Brad Resiner
over 11 years
I think that you have to build a foundation on defense, and the real question is who to play at left back. I wasn't impressed by CB out there in the A-B game, but he and Cameron are both very good in the center. I picked Parkhurst but might have gone with Goodson at LB as well. The D-mids need to provide cover for the backline, but also make a contribution going forward. The key to the game is figuring out how to score on Guatemala; (a 0-0 tie gets the US through, but that ain't a game plan). Bradley and Williams can both shut it down coming in, and make something happen on the way out. Zusi and Kljestan need to make runs to set up crosses. Guatemala will pack it in - bomb 'em in from the side and make them defend in the air from an angle. EJ has some good momentum going, so I think you can start him up top; he's a great target for Z/K service. Dempsey can sit in the middle and either be a scoring threat or try to make something happen. More likely the former, with the amount of traffic that will be in the penalty box. Oh, yeah. T-Ho as the keeper.