Marc Pelosi deserves some first team minutes because he has been out with a severe injury for the past couple months. He can play that left midfield/left wingback spot because he has played as both so he has the ability to press forward but the knowledge to cover in the back.
Perry Kitchen has been one of the most consistent defensive midfielders in the MLS over the past couple of seasons with D.C. United. Having him in that "destroyer" role allows him to stay back as Bradley and Diskerud(?) push forward and join the attack.
Since it was revealed by Jermaine Jones that the USMNT was practicing with a back 3 in training the other day, having Jones flanked by Besler and Birnbaum makes the most sense. Birnbaum had a ROTY campaign and deserves a spot in the lineup.
I think you start with the strike pair of Altidore and Dempsey for the first part of the game, but then bring in some of the other forwards brought into the camp.
Copyright ©2012-24 American Soccer Now LLC
Brendan Hartlove
over 9 years
Marc Pelosi deserves some first team minutes because he has been out with a severe injury for the past couple months. He can play that left midfield/left wingback spot because he has played as both so he has the ability to press forward but the knowledge to cover in the back. Perry Kitchen has been one of the most consistent defensive midfielders in the MLS over the past couple of seasons with D.C. United. Having him in that "destroyer" role allows him to stay back as Bradley and Diskerud(?) push forward and join the attack. Since it was revealed by Jermaine Jones that the USMNT was practicing with a back 3 in training the other day, having Jones flanked by Besler and Birnbaum makes the most sense. Birnbaum had a ROTY campaign and deserves a spot in the lineup. I think you start with the strike pair of Altidore and Dempsey for the first part of the game, but then bring in some of the other forwards brought into the camp.