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Questions Raised In Poland

March 4th, 2006 | By: Daryl | 7 Comments »

The win over Poland answered some questions, but also left a few unanswered. They are:

How good is Eddie Johnson? He can score against CONCACAF cannon fodder but can he compete against top opposition?

Did Taylor Twellman do enough to suggest he’s a long term replacement for Brian McBride?

Where is Landon Donovan’s best position?

Is there a place for Bobby Convey in the starting eleven?

It’s possible Johnson just had a bad game, and he has just come back from injury. Hopefully he’ll redeem himself before the World Cup.

Twellman made the goal, albeit accidentally. In a strange way it’s encouraging that he didn’t do much, but did enough when it mattered. That’s how tight games like this are decided.

I’m starting to think that maybe Donovan isn’t as effective in central midfield against quality opposition and should play as a withdrawn forward, at the expense of a second striker. Maybe.

With Convey I’m not sure. He seems most effective wide left, but Beasley’s already there.

Tags: Bobby Convey, Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, Taylor Twellman, USA

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Comments

By Chuck | March 4th, 2006 at 2:45 pm

FWIW, you’ve got some agreement at ESPN concerning Landon:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=360511&root=us&cc=5901

The eighth paragraph summarizes the point of the entire article.

I agree — maybe our game at Germany will help provide an answer.

Posted from United States

By Roger | March 5th, 2006 at 6:16 am

Some more food for thought on this. The thing about moving Landon up front is that he tends to disappear when he’s not getting touches. It would be better to even move him outside, as with the Mexico game in 2002 then to put him upfront. Too many people try to liken him to a Michael Owen or other pure striker. But he’s never shown the ability to take people on IMO. What he does do, probably better than anyone on the U.S. squad, is use his vision to create opportunities, and his speed to score in the run of play.

If The Bruce had to go to extreme’s, I’d rather see him run a 3-5-2 with Gooch, Pope and Boca in back, run DMB and Dempsey wide, with a triangle of Claudio, Donovan and either O’Brien or Pablo in the middle, and keep Taylor and McBride up front. I think Johnson comes off the bench and provides some late game speed to change things up on a defense and cause havoc late in games.

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By Lyle | March 5th, 2006 at 11:24 am

I don’t see why Convey doesn’t start on the right-side ahead of Dempsey. I love Clint Dempsey, but Convey might be the guy to start and have Clint come off the bench for a spark.

Bruce will figure out someting combinations that work probably.

Posted from United States

By Lyle | March 5th, 2006 at 11:28 am

One more thing… nobody should talk about John O’Brien being in the squad. There is no way he’s going to be the same guy come June. He hasn’t played soccer since I don’t know when.

It’s unfortunate because he is one of America’s best players, but he’s not going to either ready come June or be close to the same player.

So he’s out of the equation.

Posted from United States

By Seamus | March 6th, 2006 at 8:15 am

I think Donovan should be a withdrawn forward. Drop Johnson. Play Beasley on the right, Convey on the left (allowing them to switch sides at will throughout the match-driving the opposing backs insane), and a combination on Reyna with Mastroeni or an in-form O’Brien. Defensively it’s clearly Cherundolo and Lewis outside with Gooch and Berhalter or Bocanegra.

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By Steve | March 6th, 2006 at 3:14 pm

Am in agreement with many of the points made here.

Yes, Donovan should be a withdrawn forward behind McBride, suggesting a 4:4:1:1 formation. Reyna’s presence (as the attacking midfielder) behind Donovan is the key to relieving Donovan of the midfield responsibility, which is not his strong suit, and allows him to be disruptive (difficult to mark) and create chances. Since he is not a pure striker, I believe his best position is roaming between McBride and Reyna, and interacting with the wings as necessary. Ideally, he would favor the right side as Lewis is capable of pushing forward from the left back (assuming he is there – I hope he is).

The right midfield position seems to me a problem spot. Dempsey has shown promise, but how will he fare against the Czechs and Italians? Putting Convey there is a very intriguing idea Lyle. If one is of the opinion that we want our best 11 on the field (within reason), Convey needs to be out there. Despite the fact that he is not playing in the Premiership, Reading is running away with the Championship, and he appears (from what I can tell) to be playing a large part. Beasley and Convey on the wings provides a lot of speed and attacking potential, particularly interacting with Donovan as above. Convey appears to have paid his dues at Reading, and one hopes he has matured in the process and become a little more disciplined on the field. His talent has never been a question (for me), but his play was often rough around the edges. He needs to see time on the field at some point in June, and on the right makes as much sense as anywhere.

If we are to advance from the group stage, Reyna is going to have to be in top form. He is the USA’s one true world-class player (aside from our goalkeepers). For the optimal offensive formation, he should be the attacking midfielder in front of Mastroeni (ideally O’Brien, health and form permitting). His most recent injury could be a blessing, especially since it was a bone break rather than something that could linger, as he should well rested. Glad to see he played 81 minutes on Sunday. With the injuries at Man City, he will likely be in the line-up for most of the games, which should leave him in good form come June.

The defense looks solid. My picks would be Lewis, Oguchi, Bocanegra, and Cherundolo. Oguchi looks like he could be The Man in the back we all hoped Eddie Pope would be. Plenty of high-level experience around him, too.

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By Chris | March 16th, 2006 at 6:55 pm

I would put Berhalter at center back over Carlos. I know Bocanegra is on a 1st division team, but in the games he has gotten to start for Fulham he has looked very shaky, and his been outright embarrassed on some goals. Although Gooch and Berhalter need to communicate better than they did during the Poland match.

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