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U.S. Men's National Soccer (Official Thread)

I think we learned something else last night about this team that no one has mentioned yet.

4-4-2

We absolutely dominated the game when we switched to a 4-4-2. Having two up front really allowed for them to play off each other and create a lot of space. I hope to see this formation again very very soon. Once Altidore comes back, and you put Gomez up front with him, those 2 will be able to do some real damage.
 
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My thoughts from the game:


  • First off, loved seeing the support both for the US and Brasil. Great turnout at the stadium, and it was a really good atmosphere. Brasil fans take this soccer thing seriously, that's for sure...

  • I still think Michael Bradley is the second best player on this team after Dempsey, and I think he may be the most important player on this team to our overall success. I just don't think we have anyone else who can distribute out of the midfield and get the ball to players like Donovan/Dempsey in positions where they can score. Johnson's cross on the goal was great but Bradley's through-pass was absolutely excellent.

  • Really like what I'm seeing out of Fabian in LB, he defends well but I'm even more impressed with how well he moves up the pitch and attacks.

  • I thought Maurice Edu had an absolutely AWFUL game. Felt like every single time he touched the ball he was giving it away. His defense was ok and he won the ball that started the goal sequence, but that was after he just gave it away. Can't have your midfielders not being able to distribute effectively, much less giving the ball away in positions where the opposition can counter, ESPECIALLY against Brasil.

  • Gooch played pretty terribly yesterday... Handball (whether it should have been called or not), keeping Pato onsides... Brasil may not be the best match-up for him considering how quick and fast they all are, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Clarence Goodson get some time back there
All in all, really fun experience- if you haven't made it to a MNT game, really fun. May head back to Columbus for the game on 9/11.
 
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ochre;2161037; said:
How far out is Holden from returning?

Holden is going to have a long road to make it back I think. He isn't fully recovered from his injury yet. He hasn't really been on the radar since he got hurt, and in order to get on Klinsmann's radar you have to raise your profile with your club team. That is made all the tougher with Bolton's relegation since he won't be as visible there. I really like Holden though. I hope he makes it back with Bolton in the fall or even better, gets moved to a Premiership side where he can get some playing time in the fall.
 
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Oh also, forgot to post this originally. I don't think they showed it on TV, but after the 4th Brasil goal, this dude ran onto the field. He wasn't really streaking, just kinda celebrating, ran into one of the American players and then slid down at midfield. The cops are running onto the field and dude knows he's done, so he starts to stand up and just walk around waiting for the cops to come cuff him, clearly not trying to run away at this point. This old cop comes up behind him and instead of grabbing him or starting to cuff him, absolutely drills this dude in the back. Dude went flying onto the ground where three more cops jumped on him. It was hilarious.
 
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I'm really liking how well our LB's have played the last two games. Castillo has some real classy touches on the ball, and is more than willing to advance into the attacking third. Has some work to do with his crosses, and needs to clean his passes up, but he's got a lot of qualities I like. That volley was nearly a thing of beauty!

IMO, Michael Bradley is play too deep in defense, and it's hurting our attack. When Dempsey falls into the midfield like he did toward the end of the half, while it helps to maintain possession and keep the ball in the US third, it also hurts the attack.

Also seems they are just trying to build chemistry around Gomez, who's getting his second consecutive start at forward.

Jermaine Jones, at times, has looked like the fastest man on the pitch, which is promising.

Just need more chances in front of goal and US will put this away. It seems it's only a matter of time now before Dempsey, Gomez, or Donovan break through as it clearly looks like the three forwards are a class above the defense.
 
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It'd be nice to see the US run a 4-1-3-2 that looks something like:

------------------Howard----------------

Cherundolo-Bocanegra-Goodson-Johnson/Castillo

-----------------Jones/Edu---------------

--Donovan-----Dempsey/Bradley--------Torres---

--------------Gomez----Altidore-----------------


To me, that looks like goals for days! IMO, the midfield is too crowded with Bradley, Torres, Jones, Donovan, AND Dempsey in the midfield.
 
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I know this is just a friendly, but why bring on Altidore?! And who did he come on for? Torres or Donovan?

Scoreless draw... Meh. Looked like Klinsmann was running an experimental formation that didn't quite work out. Looked like a 4-4-1-1 type formation, and the midfield was just WAY too crowded. Too often I would see Torres bumping into Dempsey, and just confusion all around. All that considered, they played too static to their formation. There wasn't enough movement when the US possessed the ball.
 
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Jt4prez;2161925; said:
Altidore came in for Torres. This game looked like it was our third in eight days. Just didnt have a spark and looked disoriented in the attack. Better now then on Friday I suppose.

This.

I'm just not a big fan of the 4 midfielder idea. Give me a 4-3-3 or a 4-1-3-2.

I know the 4-1-3-2 is technically 4 midfielders, but with an actual CDM (Jones preferably) the possession would be much more clean.
 
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