I completely agree with the majority of the sentiment in the Guardian article from today entitled "Jurgen Klinsmann's reign so far: tactically chaotic and often embarrassing." In fact, any frequent and intelligent observer of the USMNT can come up with a better tactical style, strategy, and lineup than Klinsmann. So here is mine for U.S. v Colombia--a game the Americans unfortunately have little chance to win.
GK: Obviously Klinsmann has declared Guzan as the #1, but I still feel far more secure and comfortable with Howard in goal--and I think the U.S. backline would feel the same way.
DEF: It appears that Klinsmann will start Brooks with Cameron, but it concerns me that they have hardly ever played together. I want a solid, better developed CB partnership for a big tournament--so I go with Besler and Cameron. Yedlin has been great at RB, and unfortunately there are no good LB options on the roster (thanks Jurgen) and Johnson will be forced to play there instead of at LW, where he is much more effective.
MF: Bradley can be a world class player in the #6 spot, and he absolutely has to play there for the U.S. to be successful. Nagbe also needs to be in the lineup because he is the best U.S. player with the ball at his feet and keeping possession. Jermaine still provides a lot of intangibles, and Bedoya provides help in possession and work rate all over the midfield.
FW: I really don't like the 4-3-3 that the U.S. has played against Ecuador and Bolivia, because Dempsey is not a target forward and gets too isolated, while Wood and Zardes are useless out wide because they don't contribute to possession and don't make great runs--they are both better through the middle. I prefer Zardes because he provides somewhat of the target forward presence that the U.S. is desperately missing without Altidore.
It is clear that Klinsmann will put out a lineup not anything like mine, and unfortunately I predict a 3-1 win for Colombia.
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Jason Foster
almost 8 years
I completely agree with the majority of the sentiment in the Guardian article from today entitled "Jurgen Klinsmann's reign so far: tactically chaotic and often embarrassing." In fact, any frequent and intelligent observer of the USMNT can come up with a better tactical style, strategy, and lineup than Klinsmann. So here is mine for U.S. v Colombia--a game the Americans unfortunately have little chance to win. GK: Obviously Klinsmann has declared Guzan as the #1, but I still feel far more secure and comfortable with Howard in goal--and I think the U.S. backline would feel the same way. DEF: It appears that Klinsmann will start Brooks with Cameron, but it concerns me that they have hardly ever played together. I want a solid, better developed CB partnership for a big tournament--so I go with Besler and Cameron. Yedlin has been great at RB, and unfortunately there are no good LB options on the roster (thanks Jurgen) and Johnson will be forced to play there instead of at LW, where he is much more effective. MF: Bradley can be a world class player in the #6 spot, and he absolutely has to play there for the U.S. to be successful. Nagbe also needs to be in the lineup because he is the best U.S. player with the ball at his feet and keeping possession. Jermaine still provides a lot of intangibles, and Bedoya provides help in possession and work rate all over the midfield. FW: I really don't like the 4-3-3 that the U.S. has played against Ecuador and Bolivia, because Dempsey is not a target forward and gets too isolated, while Wood and Zardes are useless out wide because they don't contribute to possession and don't make great runs--they are both better through the middle. I prefer Zardes because he provides somewhat of the target forward presence that the U.S. is desperately missing without Altidore. It is clear that Klinsmann will put out a lineup not anything like mine, and unfortunately I predict a 3-1 win for Colombia.