USMNT Roster for March qualifiers released... | Page 4 | The Boneyard

USMNT Roster for March qualifiers released...

SAMCRO said:
Had some down time yesterday while watching England v Lithuania, and decided to look at the history of the Hex, and how many points it generally takes to ensure 3rd or 4th place. I am very confident the US will finish top 3, and probably top 2 (I believed we'd be top 3 before the thrashing of Honduras ... but, I thought I'd play the numbers game as it was a cold, dreary Sunday in NYC and the wife was out most of the afternoon, so had some free time)

Over the past 5 Hex's (when they went to this format), the fewest points a 3rd place team has earned was 14 (Jamaica in 1998), and the most was 17 (the US in 2002). The fewest points a 4th place team has earned was 11 (Mexico in 2014), and the most was 16 (Honduras in 2014).

Considering that, 14 total points should be enough to secure 4th place, and a home & home play-off against a team from Asia (probably one of Uzbekistan, Australia, or Japan), and 16 points should secure 3rd place. The US, sitting with 3 points today, has 21 points available to get in their next 7 matches. H/H v. T&T, H/H v. Panama, @Honduras, @ Mexico, and H v Costa Rica. Putting my magic hat on, I think we get all 6 v. T&T, 4 of 6 v. Panama (predicting a draw tomorrow), 1 @ Honduras, 0 @ Mexico, and 3 v Costa Rica. This will safely put the US in top 3 with 17 points. Any unexpected losses (meaning anyone but Mexico) will make things very interesting, and a little 'nervie' going in to the final 2 matches in October (Panama home on 10/6, and T&T away on 10/10). If you are any team, you want enough hay in the barn going in to those October matches.The plus side is teams from Central America always seem to neutralize one another, and nothing is a given. I am not at all concerned about not finishing in the top 4 (actually think we will finish top 2), but you do not want to be in that play-off match up v. a team from AFC. Last cycle CONCACAF played Oceanic, and Mexico got New Zealand.. a much easier match up than a team from AFC.

Now, would you rather have complete mayhem tomorrow, or have all the bigger teams win? Mayhem is T&T over CR, Honduras over Mex, and of course US over Pan, making the standings Mexico (7 pts), US, CR, Hond, T&T all with 6 pts), and Panama with 4 points. This keeps everyone in play, but makes it pretty messy. OR.... US, Mex, and CR all win, more clearly separating the top 3 a bit form the field.... I want mayhem.
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We've won the Hex what -- the last three times? I don't think we can win it this year. Having said that, there isn't a difference between finishing second and finishing third. Win matches and qualify -- that's it.

No mayhem. As far as I'm concerned, CR and Mexico can win out except when we play them, and let the three of us have spots wrapped up before the final two matches.
 
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So here is the question for tonight. Pulisic obviously won huge acclaim Friday night playing in the center of the pitch. But that was with Jermaine Jones which opened up room in the middle. With Jermaine back, Arena has one of four choices it would seem:

1. Keep Jones on the bench, only change what you have to change, so keep Pulisic where he was and Bedoya on the right

2. Play Jones for Bedoya on the right and leave Pulisic where he was.

3. Play Jones in his usual spot in the center and push Pulisic out wide.

4. Play Jones in the center, push Pulisic forward into Dempsey's role and determine that Dempsey can't be ready yet to play a second 90 minutes on four days rest with major air travel in between.

What should Arena do? What will Arena do? I think that if Dempsey thinks he can give you 60 you leave everything alone and let Jones come off the bench, but I have no clue if Arena will see it the same way.
 
businesslawyer said:
So here is the question for tonight. Pulisic obviously won huge acclaim Friday night playing in the center of the pitch. But that was with Jermaine Jones which opened up room in the middle. With Jermaine back, Arena has one of four choices it would seem:

1. Keep Jones on the bench, only change what you have to change, so keep Pulisic where he was and Bedoya on the right

2. Play Jones for Bedoya on the right and leave Pulisic where he was.

3. Play Jones in his usual spot in the center and push Pulisic out wide.

4. Play Jones in the center, push Pulisic forward into Dempsey's role and determine that Dempsey can't be ready yet to play a second 90 minutes on four days rest with major air travel in between.

What should Arena do? What will Arena do? I think that if Dempsey thinks he can give you 60 you leave everything alone and let Jones come off the bench, but I have no clue if Arena will see it the same way.
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If I'm Arena, I don't change a thing (Option 1). This will be a real test of what he thinks of a few players and where he thinks they should play. I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of Jones as an attacking midfielder. He gives you strength on the ball and great defensive tackles (reminds me of a bigger Gattuso), but when he is on the field, the attack always seems slower to me. Slower to switch fields and slower to connect to the forwards.

I know what Klinsmann would have done. I have no idea at all what Arena is going to do...
 
UConnDan97 said:
If I'm Arena, I don't change a thing (Option 1). This will be a real test of what he thinks of a few players and where he thinks they should play. I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of Jones as an attacking midfielder. He gives you strength on the ball and great defensive tackles (reminds me of a bigger Gattuso), but when he is on the field, the attack always seems slower to me. Slower to switch fields and slower to connect to the forwards.

I know what Klinsmann would have done. I have no idea at all what Arena is going to do...
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Klimsman would play Jones first, and figure out what it means for everyone else second. Based on past experience, I would expect he'd leave Pulisic alone and just play Jones wide for Bedoya.

But Arena -- not a clue here.
 
I agree, and if Dempsey feels fit I hope Arena leaves the front 6 as they finished v. Honduras.... and sub in Jones after 55-60 minutes for whichever Forward is looking/feeling worse for the wear (pushing Pulisic up top).

It really is an interesting situation, and it goes deeper than just Dempsey/Pulisic/Jones because of Brooks being out. Due to the injuries and make shift back four, I would not be surprised to see Jones start, with Pulisic on the wing (with the freedom to play inside - out), because Jones can be a more physical presence defending between the two goal boxes, maybe relieving a little pressure from the back 4.
 
SAMCRO said:
I agree, and if Dempsey feels fit I hope Arena leaves the front 6 as they finished v. Honduras.... and sub in Jones after 55-60 minutes for whichever Forward is looking/feeling worse for the wear (pushing Pulisic up top).

It really is an interesting situation, and it goes deeper than just Dempsey/Pulisic/Jones because of Brooks being out. Due to the injuries and make shift back four, I would not be surprised to see Jones start, with Pulisic on the wing (with the freedom to play inside - out), because Jones can be a more physical presence defending between the two goal boxes, maybe relieving a little pressure from the back 4.
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I think Ream goes in for Brooks as a straight swap. I'm not sure Brooks being out will affect how the attack looks. If he doesn't want Ream, he could even go with Zimmerman, but I'm guessing that he won't do that.

It may be more likely that he puts Pulisic back in his more familiar wing role to leave Jones in the middle of the park, as you mentioned. I don't think that Jones is a good choice out wide, for the reasons that I've already mentioned. If it is a choice of being out wide for him, I'd rather have Bedoya and Nagbe. Arena may also change the formation in order to accommodate Jones as well (who knows?). He went with what in principle was almost a 4-1-4-1 in the last game since Jozy was higher than Dempsey and Bradley was deeper than the rest of the midfield. Does he swap that for a different look? I'd rather he didn't. I'd rather he just stays with what seems to be working already...
 
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businesslawyer said:
So here is the question for tonight. Pulisic obviously won huge acclaim Friday night playing in the center of the pitch. But that was with Jermaine Jones which opened up room in the middle. With Jermaine back, Arena has one of four choices it would seem:

1. Keep Jones on the bench, only change what you have to change, so keep Pulisic where he was and Bedoya on the right

2. Play Jones for Bedoya on the right and leave Pulisic where he was.

3. Play Jones in his usual spot in the center and push Pulisic out wide.

4. Play Jones in the center, push Pulisic forward into Dempsey's role and determine that Dempsey can't be ready yet to play a second 90 minutes on four days rest with major air travel in between.

What should Arena do? What will Arena do? I think that if Dempsey thinks he can give you 60 you leave everything alone and let Jones come off the bench, but I have no clue if Arena will see it the same way.
Expand ...

2 would be a disaster, and 3 seems to me to be stupid and unnecessary. 1 and 4 should be the only options, depending on Dempsey's readiness.
 
businesslawyer said:
So here is the question for tonight. Pulisic obviously won huge acclaim Friday night playing in the center of the pitch. But that was with Jermaine Jones which opened up room in the middle. With Jermaine back, Arena has one of four choices it would seem:

1. Keep Jones on the bench, only change what you have to change, so keep Pulisic where he was and Bedoya on the right

2. Play Jones for Bedoya on the right and leave Pulisic where he was.

3. Play Jones in his usual spot in the center and push Pulisic out wide.

4. Play Jones in the center, push Pulisic forward into Dempsey's role and determine that Dempsey can't be ready yet to play a second 90 minutes on four days rest with major air travel in between.

What should Arena do? What will Arena do? I think that if Dempsey thinks he can give you 60 you leave everything alone and let Jones come off the bench, but I have no clue if Arena will see it the same way.
Expand ...

I think we will see 4-5 changes. If Jones starts then we will probably see Pulisic on one side and Bedoya on the other. I think Pulisic will get free reign to roam all over the place like he did the other night. Dempsey is just as match fit as anyone else, actually he might be more fresh than the guys who played all fall.
 
UConnDan97 said:
If I'm Arena, I don't change a thing (Option 1). This will be a real test of what he thinks of a few players and where he thinks they should play. I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of Jones as an attacking midfielder. He gives you strength on the ball and great defensive tackles (reminds me of a bigger Gattuso), but when he is on the field, the attack always seems slower to me. Slower to switch fields and slower to connect to the forwards.

I know what Klinsmann would have done. I have no idea at all what Arena is going to do...
Expand ...

He has to make at least one change because Lletget is out.
 
UConnDan97 said:
If I'm Arena, I don't change a thing (Option 1). This will be a real test of what he thinks of a few players and where he thinks they should play. I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of Jones as an attacking midfielder. He gives you strength on the ball and great defensive tackles (reminds me of a bigger Gattuso), but when he is on the field, the attack always seems slower to me. Slower to switch fields and slower to connect to the forwards.

I know what Klinsmann would have done. I have no idea at all what Arena is going to do...
Expand ...

Arena likes Jones just as much as JK did. But Arena will play Jones in a Box to Box role. I think Pulisic will be a free electron turning up in dangerous spots, combining with Jozy and Dempsey.

It wasn't like Pulisic was in a fixed position, he was all over the field the other night.
 
ZooCougar said:
Arena likes Jones just as much as JK did. But Arena will play Jones in a Box to Box role. I think Pulisic will be a free electron turning up in dangerous spots, combining with Jozy and Dempsey.

It wasn't like Pulisic was in a fixed position, he was all over the field the other night.
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So given that Nagbe got the start over Bedoya on Friday, and I thought played the best I've ever seen him play, who do you think Bedoya gets the call over Nagbe tonight?
 
businesslawyer said:
So given that Nagbe got the start over Bedoya on Friday, and I thought played the best I've ever seen him play, who do you think Bedoya gets the call over Nagbe tonight?
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Oh heck no. What was I thinking.

Dempsey Altidore
Nagbe Jones Bradley Pulisic
Villafana Besler Gonzales Cameron
Howard

So, maybe two changes. I don't think he starts Zimmerman just yet.

Panama's attack is really anemic so our back four should look good regardless.
 
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If this is the lineup, look for it to work like this with Jones covering the diagonal space from Dempsey to Pulisic in front of Cameron who will cheat up to help Bradley cover the space. It's and odd line up but Jones likes to roam.

------------------Altidore
-------Dempsey
-------------------------- Pulisic
----------------- Jones
--Nagbe
---------------Bradley
----------------------------------------------Cameron
Villafana Besler Gonzales
--------------Howard
 
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No Cameron tonight (quad injury). Yikes!!! The back 4 could be an adventure.
Starting XI:
Howard
Zusi, Gonzalez, Ream, Villafana
Pulisic, Bradley, Jones, Nagbe
Dempsey, Altidore

A draw on the road would be a solid result with the injuries this team is dealing with.
 
SAMCRO said:
No Cameron tonight (quad injury). Yikes!!! The back 4 could be an adventure.
Starting XI:
Howard
Zusi, Gonzalez, Ream, Villafana
Pulisic, Bradley, Jones, Nagbe
Dempsey, Altidore

A draw on the road would be a solid result with the injuries this team is dealing with.
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We better win. They have only scored one goal in qualifying.
 
ZooCougar said:
We better win. They have only scored one goal in qualifying.
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They've also only allowed 1 goal in qualifying, and drew with Mexico in Panama. A point here is a good result for the US. So far, 15 minutes in, Panama is physically pushing around the US and the Mexican ref is letting them play.
 
Getting dangerous. We need to exert our will. They will keep fouling us. Bradley needs to not pass back every single time. He's a one man offensive possession killer. I really want to see how we'd play without him.
 
.-.
Pulisic is ridiculous, and Dempsey knows how to finish. What a combination those two make.
 
Zusi and Ream are liabilities. Boy are they missing Brooks and Cameron.... and Yedlin and Johnson for that matter.
 
The defense being poor i can understand with the injuries, but this is on Arena. As I feared, coming off a 6-0 win he changed the damn formation to give Jones a place to play. And we've lost all the fluidity.
 
SAMCRO said:
Zusi and Ream are liabilities. Boy are they missing Brooks and Cameron.... and Yedlin and Johnson for that matter.
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Ream more than Zusi though. I can see why JK left him in the bench now.
 
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SAMCRO said:
They've also only allowed 1 goal in qualifying, and drew with Mexico in Panama. A point here is a good result for the US. So far, 15 minutes in, Panama is physically pushing around the US and the Mexican ref is letting them play.
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This is not a good team. And I'm not talking about the USA. Anything less than three points against this rabble is a missed opportunity.
 
ZooCougar said:
Ream more than Zusi though. I can see why JK left him in the bench now.
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SAMCRO said:
Zusi has somewhat of an excuse as he's not a true/natural back.
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Zusi has been surprisingly solid back there. Forced several gks that could have been corners and pretty steady. Ream has not been good, but Villafana looks much worse than Zusi to me on defense.
 
ZooCougar said:
This is not a good team. And I'm not talking about the USA. Anything less than three points against this rabble is a missed opportunity.
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They are like Cinci basketball. They will foul you and chip at you all game to frustrate you. Pressure at both ends. It's up to our guys to attack and make them pay and we haven't.
 
HuskyHawk said:
Zusi has been surprisingly solid back there. Forced several gks that could have been corners and pretty steady. Ream has not been good, but Villafana looks much worse than Zusi to me on defense.
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I've seen Zusi play in person a bunch. He's a smart player, but his lack of pace is a liability.
 
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