Friday, June 8, 2012

WCQ: United States v Antigua & Barbuda



I know it’s been said that Jurgen has been working on some two striker formations, but I think we will/should go with the formation that we played most convincingly in and gave us our best result and that’s the 4-3-2-1. I could also be waaaaay off, but I’m willing to risk it J Starting from the back…

Tim Howard

Dolo – Goodson – Bocanegra – Parkhurst

  Bradley – Jones – Torres

Donovan – Dempsey

Jozy

I think from now on I’m not even going to mention Tim Howard in my predictions. They should just engrave his name on the clipboard at this point.

At the right back we’ve got Steve Cherundolo, who against what should be a weaker side in Antigua & Burbuda, will hopefully get forward a bit more and provide some more offense.

In the middle I want to pencil Gooch in, sentimental reasons and such, but Goodson’s strong play during that Canada friendly warrants a start for me.  In Gooch’s defense, he had the toughest assignment of this “tourney” having to match up against Brazil.  I think Cameron’s lack of international experience keeps him out of the starting lineup for this WCQ (but he’s coming!). In the end, I’d be happy with any of these three starting along side Bocanegra. I don’t think any of them is that much better then the other, but my gut says Clarence get’s the nod.

Now we get to see what Eric Lichaj can do at left back, nice! O wait… that’s right we didn’t bring him. Well ain’t that about a [bleep] hmm… I don’t remember seeing anything about Parkhurst playing left back over there in Denmark, but with his usually great positioning and experience playing outside back, albeit on the right, I give him the nod for tonight’s game.

The midfield seems pretty much set to me, no need for a major overhaul.  After seeing Michael ‘MB90’ Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Maurice Edu work the middle fairly well, the only change that I would make is swapping Jose Torres for Edu. I’d like these three to be THE guys moving forward (until Holden gets back). Without an out and out #10 I think Bradley and Torres have that little bit extra on their passes, that Edu doesn’t. Plus, when Jones get’s a yellow, and he WILL get one, we can bring Edu in later on.

The attacking triumvirate is a little bit trickier. Clint is the obvious choice of course, but after that it’s a little shaky for me. I’m going to put the guys I think will be picked, who are, Jozy, Dempsey and Landon. Now, what I wouldn’t mind seeing is a Dempsey, Jozy, Herc combo, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Jurgen throws together. Tir Na Nog in Philly is the move. Happy viewing and enjoy the game folks!

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