I chose the 4-4-2, but this will be more of a hybrid between that and a 4-5-1. I feel like I should have a pretty good idea who is going to make the team at this point, therefore I want to continue to tune up those guys and continue improving comfortability w/ position pairings. In short I'm not that interested in super-fringe players. If they haven't shown me by now, it's probably not going to happen. That said, those few who are on the field (McCarty, Klute, Besler) provide the necessary balance to round out this particular lineup and it gives them a chance to show. W/ this hybrid idea, It gives Donovan the ability to float between midfield and forward, creating space for Johnson, and stabilizing the midfield, while also utilizing his skill and scoring ability. Wondolowski could have gotten the start at forward based on his success this summer, but as I see it, out of the two Johnson is the one we really want to regain the form he had early in his career. It will be a good litmus test to see how focused, eager, and confident he is. Also, he has played well of late, so it's not as if he's not worthy. The problem that I have, with this lineup in a straight 4-5-1, is that it would push either Zusi or Diskerud too far into one of the outer 3rd's of the field which I don't think maximizes their strength. In the 4-4-2 they both get to stay on the inner 3rd where they are both most efficient and most comfortable. Beckerman and McCarty are similar in that they are scrappy and hard working. That is the essence of the outside mid position. You don't have to be tremendously skilled as much as a straight up workhorse. You have to be able to run A LOT, provide support on both offense and defense, become an outlet to start offensive breaks, find the back stick, get the ball to playmakers, knock a few guys off the ball, and win a few headers. Both of these guys are willing to do the work. Defensively, Gonzalez and Goodson simply need to continue to work together and keep sharp. The only way you do that is by playing. I would argue the same for Goodson and Geoff Cameron, but he's not here. I'm giving Chris Klute the start because Eric Wynalda told me personally that he needs to get a chance to play and could provide depth to the U.S. back line. I'm interested to see how he does on this level. I've got Matt Besler playing right outside defense, despite the fact that's not his natural position. W/ Cameron, Gonzalez, and Goodson leading the candidacy for central defense, it will be hard for Besler to break into that rotation, therefore we need to see if he can play another position. He's one of the older, more experienced defenders left in this camp, and I'm more interested in seeing if he can compete at this level right now. Guys like O'Neill and Yedlin may factor in the 2018 squad in which case I have plenty of time to see them. This is more about having them in camp and watching them train right now. At this point, I need to be rounding out my roster with guys who have the most realistic chances to make the team and I need to see them play. Rimando, to me, is the only real choice for this game. He's the 3rd goalkeeper on the team, therefore he needs to play. Side note: I know this is not part of this exercise and I'm not sure what kind of company I'm in, but I've liked Guzan better than Howard many times this summer. I know you can't go against Howard at this point, but I don't think the distance between the two is that far. Minuscule if any, in my eyes. Just throwing that out there.
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Alec Campbell
almost 11 years
I chose the 4-4-2, but this will be more of a hybrid between that and a 4-5-1. I feel like I should have a pretty good idea who is going to make the team at this point, therefore I want to continue to tune up those guys and continue improving comfortability w/ position pairings. In short I'm not that interested in super-fringe players. If they haven't shown me by now, it's probably not going to happen. That said, those few who are on the field (McCarty, Klute, Besler) provide the necessary balance to round out this particular lineup and it gives them a chance to show. W/ this hybrid idea, It gives Donovan the ability to float between midfield and forward, creating space for Johnson, and stabilizing the midfield, while also utilizing his skill and scoring ability. Wondolowski could have gotten the start at forward based on his success this summer, but as I see it, out of the two Johnson is the one we really want to regain the form he had early in his career. It will be a good litmus test to see how focused, eager, and confident he is. Also, he has played well of late, so it's not as if he's not worthy. The problem that I have, with this lineup in a straight 4-5-1, is that it would push either Zusi or Diskerud too far into one of the outer 3rd's of the field which I don't think maximizes their strength. In the 4-4-2 they both get to stay on the inner 3rd where they are both most efficient and most comfortable. Beckerman and McCarty are similar in that they are scrappy and hard working. That is the essence of the outside mid position. You don't have to be tremendously skilled as much as a straight up workhorse. You have to be able to run A LOT, provide support on both offense and defense, become an outlet to start offensive breaks, find the back stick, get the ball to playmakers, knock a few guys off the ball, and win a few headers. Both of these guys are willing to do the work. Defensively, Gonzalez and Goodson simply need to continue to work together and keep sharp. The only way you do that is by playing. I would argue the same for Goodson and Geoff Cameron, but he's not here. I'm giving Chris Klute the start because Eric Wynalda told me personally that he needs to get a chance to play and could provide depth to the U.S. back line. I'm interested to see how he does on this level. I've got Matt Besler playing right outside defense, despite the fact that's not his natural position. W/ Cameron, Gonzalez, and Goodson leading the candidacy for central defense, it will be hard for Besler to break into that rotation, therefore we need to see if he can play another position. He's one of the older, more experienced defenders left in this camp, and I'm more interested in seeing if he can compete at this level right now. Guys like O'Neill and Yedlin may factor in the 2018 squad in which case I have plenty of time to see them. This is more about having them in camp and watching them train right now. At this point, I need to be rounding out my roster with guys who have the most realistic chances to make the team and I need to see them play. Rimando, to me, is the only real choice for this game. He's the 3rd goalkeeper on the team, therefore he needs to play. Side note: I know this is not part of this exercise and I'm not sure what kind of company I'm in, but I've liked Guzan better than Howard many times this summer. I know you can't go against Howard at this point, but I don't think the distance between the two is that far. Minuscule if any, in my eyes. Just throwing that out there.