Excellent second half by the US. Even Brooks, Chandler and Alvarado didn't look lost half the time.
Chandler actually looked a little better defensively on the left????
Yedlin needs to be on the right flank, whether it's 30, 45 or 90 minutes. His speed is one of the few consistent offensive threats we have.
Agree. I'd like to see him come on in the 60-70th minute. If we are playing the diamond or a 4-5-1. Which I'd prefer.
I'm prepared to move forward with Dempsey, Johansson, Zardes, and Morris at the forward pool. Wood's heroics aside, he doesn't consistently impact play. I don't need to see Jozy unless someone else isn't available. This team needs to be built around as many fast guys with ball skills as possible. Jozy is neither fast nor skilled.
Definitely not sold on Zardes yet. Maybe as a FW, but definitely not as a wide mid. Doesn't have the ability to pass or defend. All Altidore does for the USA is score. Good enough for me. (if he can stay healthy)
Mix looks terrible on the defensive half of the field, but is one of the better guys with the ball attacking. Need to use him a formation that works for him. Playing a wide two way position is a liability. He would be better under the strikers in a two forward set or a wide attacker in a 4-3-3.
Umm no. Mix is becoming very good defensively. He probably broke up more plays and delivered more statements than Williams or Beckerman. I certainly wouldn't mind him playing forward in a 3 man midfield (either 4-3-3 or really a 4-5-1), however Klinsmann wants Bradley there. But Bradley, Mix and a DM (Beckerman, Jones, Williams) I think would work nicely. Bradley and Mix and take turns getting forward.
Zardes isn't ready to play the wide midfield spot, he's a striker as far as I'm concerned and still need development. Late sub in important matches. I like Morris ahead of him for that spot right now but I wouldn't be surprised if you see Zardes,/Morris, AJ, and Mix as your three strikers in 2018 or 2022.
I agree, Zardes can't play the wide midfield (in a diamond). Might be able to play wide in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3. Not really sold on him offensively yet either. I think we have or will have better options. Don't see Mix becoming a forward. At least under Klinsmann. He seems to be moving him back (more of an 8).
Bradley is still the most important player on the squad, but F. Johnson is getting really close at fullback.
Bradley can be. Just needs to be consistent. Some games (like the last 2) he's been great. Other times, he disappears. But you have to Johnson on the field. Considering our other FB options, I'd use him there.
Chandler to me is the fifth defender even if I'm not sure who the first 4 are. Good going forward, slow and lost marking runners. I would like to see him in Beckerman's role.
Chandler is good going forward, gets lost on defense. I certainly wouldn't want him in the midfield jogging around and losing runners.
Central defense is still a tire fire. Brooks loses his man a lot too and isn't as good in the air on D and he is on set pieces. Still a work in progress, wouldn't trust him in important games right now. Alvarado and Orozco don't show me enough to consider them viable at this point. I hope Gonzales and Besler are in form, but I'm not wild that no one can challenge them at the moment. I assume Beasley is in camp to mentor Garza, I think he will get the nod at left back if it's not Chandler opposite Johnson. Need more options here.
My back line is Johnson and ummm, uhhh, 3 other guys. No idea who can actually hold down a position at this point. I think (hope) Brooks will come good, just not sure he's there yet. Well actually I'm pretty sure he's not there yet. Shea, Beasely, Garza, Chandler, eh. ????
Williams did OK, not great at the 6 spot. Beckerman actually looks a little better than he did in 2014, but this is a spot up for grabs as well.
Beckermann, Williams, Jones, I think between the 3 of them, eh we might be ok. I'd like to see Williams improve and take that spot. I thought Morales was supposed to be a DM, but I don't remember Klinsmann even trying him there??
A historic trip by the squad that can't be underrated. They could have given up a lot more goals and scored on nearly every decent chance. Bradley going direct to forwards making runs at the 18 and getting it wide to Yedlin on the right have to be the primary attack options. Need to keep mixing in the kids, they are winners, just don't quite know the game at the moment.
Great trip. Hopefully it gives them confidence going into the Gold Cup. Win that and they get the invite to the Confederations Cup in 2017.
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