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Still In The Dark Over First Eleven

June 12th, 2006 | By: Daryl | 6 Comments »

With the Czech game literally hours away, we still have no idea what Arena’s starting eleven will be.

While we could all name the keeper, and probably the back four everything else remains a mystery.

Will Reyna and O’Brien be considered fit enough to start? Will DaMarcus Beasley hold onto his first team spot? Have Clint Dempsey or Bobby Convey done enough to force their way into the starting eleven? Just McBride up front, or will Eddie Johnson joing him? Where will Donovan play?

All will be revealed soon.

On Fox Soccer Channel tonight Paul Caligiuri predicted we’d see Chris Albright at right midfield, as a defensive move to counter the threat of Pavel Nedved.

Arena has already suggested a few people might be surprised when the first eleven is named, but would he really do that to us?

I’ll post it here the second I find out, but if anyone see it first please drop it in the comments section.

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Comments

By Herbie | June 12th, 2006 at 2:31 pm

Sky Sports News reporting “Beasley set to start up front”. ??? I still haven’t found anything official though.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Seamus | June 12th, 2006 at 3:37 pm

I think Albright at right mid would be a nice choice. You can then have cherundolo overlap all day as Albright is more than capable of covering back. And Albright has some bright offensive moments at times.

And Herbie, I’ve heard about Beasley up front as well. I can see that happening, leaving a spot for Convey on the left?

Would the starting midfield be (L - R) Convey, O’Brien, Reyna, Albright or O’Brien, Mastroeni, Reyna, Albright?

The second scenario allows O’Brien and Albright to pinch and clog the middle and going the other way we can get width with Lewis and Cherundolo overlapping.

I’d be intrigued, but not really surprised, as this actually makes perfect sense to me.

Posted from United States

By Herbie | June 12th, 2006 at 3:57 pm

Why Beasley over Johnson? Neither are in form but at least it’s Johnson’s normal position.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Seamus | June 12th, 2006 at 4:10 pm

Herbie,

For one simple reason: Johnson has never done anything against anybody. The guy hasn’t had a decent match in 18 months. At least Beasley consistently plays against top flight competition.

Posted from United States

By Herbie | June 12th, 2006 at 4:10 pm

Keller; Cherundolo; Onyewu; Lewis; Pope; Mastroeni; Reyna; Convey; Beasley; Donovan; McBride.

From US Soccer’s MatchTracker. I don’t think the order represents the actual positions.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Seamus | June 12th, 2006 at 4:11 pm

Doh, I left Donovan out of my starting 11. So flush all the Beasley talk. Donovan starts up front!

Posted from United States

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