With the difficult teams in group G, I think we'll need two holding midfielders. Jones is probably the best true defensive midfielder on the roster, which gives Bradley a little more freedom to get forward and create. Bradley's defensive abilities and a second body shielding our back four will be a necessity against the squads in group G - although against Ghana (where we NEED 3 points, or if we are behind), Bradley could play as a more attacking midfielder and push Dempsey or Johansson into a second striker position. I took for granted the fact that we will play four defenders, and with two defensive midfields in front of the back four, the 4-2-3-1 is one of the few options for our final shape, and I think it makes the best use of our talent. At left back, I hope Chandler starts (although this requires he plays very well in the tune-up matches, enough to take the spot from Beasley), as his pace will better suit us to defend Ronaldo and Schurrle. I like Dempsey in the hole behind the striker, but with plenty of freedom to make penetrating (hehe) runs. Altidore, I think, needs a skilled player to be able to feed him plenty of opportunities, and Dempsey has the ability to unlock the opposing defense with a clever ball. Johansson I would like to give chances to as well. I for sure see him as a substitute when we need a goal- he can be brought in next to Altidore while removing a holding midfielder (or an outside midfielder, pushing Bradley to the 10 spot behind the strikers, and playing Dempsey as a wide midfielder/winger. I wouldn't mind seeing Johansson start, but I think Jozy will unless is playing poorly (which is not far fetched). I think Johansson plays better with the midfielders and offers a better chance to put together good team play and passing, and he is clever with the ball, but Altidore has the ability to get a goal from nowhere due to his physique and power. With the teams we play, I think we will be looking for goals of Jozy's style, because we won't be passing the ball around and controlling tempo against Germany and Portugal. I like Zusi and Bedoya in the wide midfield positions, they will be needed to provide defensive cover for the fullbacks, and then push forward quickly. In the heat of Brazil with the amount of running they will require, these positions could be advantageous to substitute with 20-30 minutes remaining, but that will of course be situational. I could see Johnson moving to left midfield if beasley starts to provide a little more defensive help than bedoya offers, but I don't think or hope that is the case. Finally, Beckerman instead of Jones is a situation I could get on board with, but I feel is unlikely. Bradley and Beckerman seem to have better chemistry and communication, and it would also mean we probably get to play with 11 men the entire game which would be a real treat.
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Ben Bruden
almost 10 years
With the difficult teams in group G, I think we'll need two holding midfielders. Jones is probably the best true defensive midfielder on the roster, which gives Bradley a little more freedom to get forward and create. Bradley's defensive abilities and a second body shielding our back four will be a necessity against the squads in group G - although against Ghana (where we NEED 3 points, or if we are behind), Bradley could play as a more attacking midfielder and push Dempsey or Johansson into a second striker position. I took for granted the fact that we will play four defenders, and with two defensive midfields in front of the back four, the 4-2-3-1 is one of the few options for our final shape, and I think it makes the best use of our talent. At left back, I hope Chandler starts (although this requires he plays very well in the tune-up matches, enough to take the spot from Beasley), as his pace will better suit us to defend Ronaldo and Schurrle. I like Dempsey in the hole behind the striker, but with plenty of freedom to make penetrating (hehe) runs. Altidore, I think, needs a skilled player to be able to feed him plenty of opportunities, and Dempsey has the ability to unlock the opposing defense with a clever ball. Johansson I would like to give chances to as well. I for sure see him as a substitute when we need a goal- he can be brought in next to Altidore while removing a holding midfielder (or an outside midfielder, pushing Bradley to the 10 spot behind the strikers, and playing Dempsey as a wide midfielder/winger. I wouldn't mind seeing Johansson start, but I think Jozy will unless is playing poorly (which is not far fetched). I think Johansson plays better with the midfielders and offers a better chance to put together good team play and passing, and he is clever with the ball, but Altidore has the ability to get a goal from nowhere due to his physique and power. With the teams we play, I think we will be looking for goals of Jozy's style, because we won't be passing the ball around and controlling tempo against Germany and Portugal. I like Zusi and Bedoya in the wide midfield positions, they will be needed to provide defensive cover for the fullbacks, and then push forward quickly. In the heat of Brazil with the amount of running they will require, these positions could be advantageous to substitute with 20-30 minutes remaining, but that will of course be situational. I could see Johnson moving to left midfield if beasley starts to provide a little more defensive help than bedoya offers, but I don't think or hope that is the case. Finally, Beckerman instead of Jones is a situation I could get on board with, but I feel is unlikely. Bradley and Beckerman seem to have better chemistry and communication, and it would also mean we probably get to play with 11 men the entire game which would be a real treat.