I know you're not a big Kyle Beckerman fan but you gotta admit he's been holding his own for the US for the most part when given a chance in midfield. Do you think Klinsmann goes with Jermaine Junior or Beckerman to start with Bradley? I guess since Jermaine got the start yesterday and didn't have bad game you gotta figure he starts the first match right?
I'm less of a jones fan. He was not good yesterday. He gave away possession over and over. If I was Klinsy, I'd have to go with (gulp) Beckerman. Defensively, he's good enough and can actually complete a pass. My first choice is still Cameron, but I don't think we can afford not to have him in the middle of the back line right now. Besler and Gonzo haven't been consistent enough together and Cameron does well cleaning up for them. Still, Beckerman's lack of athleticism against the teams in this group is very concerning. That might be what gets Jones the start, at least against Ghana.
I dont believe he will be a problem for the team, hes matured with age. This is his first, and last, World Cup after years of being snubbed by Lippi and im sure he'll be on his best behavior. If we are going with a 2 striker formation, a Cassano-Balotelli partnership is most likely unless someone like Cerci or Immobile gets hot.
All I've been doing is just reading about the World Cup on different websites. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Chicharito sucks (and I'm glad to see Julian Green on the list too lol). What are the chances we see Julian Green anyways? The dude is obviously gonna be on the bench, right?
Yea I don't see Green getting any time in Brazil unless he shows more confidence. He does provide something that our roster sorely lacks (quickness and ability to go 1 v 1 against defenders), but I can't see Klinssmann bringing him in with the amount of nerves he's shown in both of his sub minutes so far. World Cup is a big difference from friendlies.
Yeah, I'm not sure if it is an issue with confidence, physical maturity, or both. Green seems to lose his footing a lot when he has been in for the US. At some point, one of the three youngsters (Brooks, Green, and Yedlin) might be pressed into action during the Group Stage. That being said, Yedlin and Brooks are both such good athletes, that I think Jürgen might let them get some run if he feels bring in younger, fresher legs late in the game might get him an advantage. Yedlin can fly up the field from what little I have seen of him. Jones v. Beckerman, I really think having someone who can settle things down back there will be more use to Jürgen and the squad than Jones (although he might be critical in keeping the younger German-Americans on point while down in Brasil). That's a tough call, but I think it could end up being very critical for the US. Jones still tends to get too far up in the attack leaving either a big hole behind him for guys to run in down the middle or keep Bradley from joining the attack. Speaking of Bradley, anyone know why Alexi keeps saying Bradley "best starting deep" in the 4-2-3-1 versus a 4-4-2? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lots of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USMNT&src=hash">#USMNT</a> 4-4-2 vs. 4-2-3-1 questions. I think team is better/more comfortable in 4-2-3-1. Bradley & Jones are better in it. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskAlexi&src=hash">#AskAlexi</a></p>— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexiLalas/statuses/473587335083200512">June 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>For those who missed last night's Inside: US Soccer's March to Brazil, here is the YouTube video: Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/njfUkhSwnG8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Jurgen Klinsmann Says U.S. ‘Cannot Win’ 2014 World Cup http://nesn.com/2014/06/jurgen-klinsmann-usa-cannot-win-2014-world-cup/ “We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet,” Klinsmann told Sam Borden in December. “For us, we have to play the game of our lives seven times to win the tournament.”
So apparently Ghana is using Witch doctors and casting spells and ****... http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/04/cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-ghana-witch-doctor
I'm pretty sure the Ghanaian team has nothing to do with this though. But yeah, usual stuff from some African countries(I'd imagine some Central American countries have people like that making the news also).
Meh, Alexi has his opinions. I guess it's just because MBradley is very good when playing deeper in midfield but as we've seen, he is almost as good when playing an advanced role. I don't think it's that egregious a statement from Lalas. Figure it's kind of debatable which role in midfield suits Bradley best but everyone that watches him knows that he will do a very good job in whichever position Jurgen chooses to play him in. Meh.
I think you have to put Bradley up high. With Altidore in a funk and Dempsey not getting any younger, you have to put somebody up there who can create some chances.
Bradley does a great job up high and I see what you're saying but I'm not sure what "Dempsey not getting any younger" has to do with his ability up front and creating chances. Meh, plus I guess it will all depend on the opponent and the match itself before Jurgen decides where to play MBradley.
Gotta disagree. I'm sure Klinsmann's quote will garner headlines and get people in to read the article. I don't think it's a terrible quote and it definitely isn't a terrible article. It's actually really decent. It's a pretty balanced article in terms of how Klinsmann has gone about his business as US coach. He is cold in some ways and friendly in others. He has managed to get the best out of some players and not out of others. His ability to get dual nationals to choose the US is described in the article and he has done an excellent job at that(perhaps why he should be left to just be the technical director and not the actual coach). Anyway good article.
Villa on loan to Melbourne. (Makes more sense than him just training with City) http://www.empireofsoccer.com/league-sister-melbourne-26322/
Why sit on a quote for 6 months and make it sound like it's recent with the headline? I'm sorry but that's shady. Looks like they're trying to get clicks and MAKE news instead of reporting it. The context back in December vs today is totally different and I doubt he would express that view 1 week before the world cup.
My only thing is that in either formation (4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2), the USMNT will only have three real threats to score in the run of play: Altidore, Bradley, and Dempsey. If you have Bradley play exclusively from the back, you're limiting your scoring chances to Altidore, Dempsey, and set pieces. We just don't have the guys to take people on one-on-one aside from those three and maybe Aron Johannsson. Kind of a depressing thought
