Can The USMNT Pass The Dutch?

March 1st, 2010 | by: Dave Martinez |

Robben. Kuyt. Huntelaar. Van Bommel. Sneijder. van Bronckhorst. Stekenlenburg. These are the names the USMNT will be facing down as they continue to lay down the pavement on their road to the World Cup.

The Orange Machine will be sporting some heavy hitters, and the USMNT will be no different. Here is the announced roster for Wednesdays clash:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS (7): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Many of the usual faces will be representing the Yanks in this one, but Bradley has reached out to the periphery as well in order to find some last minute fixes. Eddie Johnson is a surprise name in the pool, but as we have discussed on these pages, his current form in Greece warrants a deeper look. I would look for him and Altidore to open the game in a 4-4-2.

Stuart Holden made a strong case for himself in his Bolton debut, showing an alert style on the ball, and playing the distributors role to a t. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting. And DaMarcus Beasley has received a call up as well. I think even Bob Bradley can not see Beasley as a viable leftback candidate, so a stint on his usual left wing side may be in the works today. He is an experienced leader with the team, but has, at times, been a liability on the wing due to his lack of physical strength. And after scoring one of the most important goals for Rangers this season in one of the greatest derbies in the world, how can anyone deny Maurice Edu a start? (speaking of EDU, where is ADU?!)

On the defensive end, the US will be trying to face a world without The Gooch. Onyewu is out for this one with an injury, which makes the centerbacks a star attraction for tomorrows clash. Will Bocanegra assume his former CB duties, or will he continue manning the flank? I wouldn’t mind seeing a Goodson/DeMeritt pairing in the middle, with Bocanegra and Spector/Pearce manning the bookends, but no matter who is playing the backline, they better be ready for an offensive barrage.

And if I had my way, I would allow Brad Guzan to man the pipes. It is an aweful shame that he carried the Villians to the Carling Cup final, only to be dumped bench left for Brad Friedel. That being said, Tim Howard will be between the pipes. No question about it.

Taking all of this in consideration (and putting all the “why isn’t Freddy Adu on the roster” questioning on the back burner), here is the lineup I see going into Wednesdays clash:

———-Jozy—Johnson———
Beasley–Bradley—-Edu—Donovan
Bocanegra-Goodson-DeMeritt-Pearce
————-Howard—————

A lineup like this would allow the definites (Jozy, Donovan, Howard, Bocanegra) to play alongside the fringe players (Beasley, Goodsen, DeMeritt, Johnson) and properly gauge who would be the best fit to face world class competition.

It will be interesting to see what tactic Bob Bradley decides to employ for this friendly. How important is a win? Or is this more about watching fringe players duke it out against a world power, flanked by some of the USMNT best? With the World Cup a mere 100 days away, the time for answers will be shortly upon us.

So, what are the US chances against Big Orange? Can they pull off an upset? And who will catch Bradleys eye enough to earn a trip to South Africa. This is reality TV at it’s best, folks. Share your thoughts on the game and its prospects.

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http://www.lagalaxy.theoffside.com Jen

It will be VERY interesting to see how Eddie Johnson and Jozy team up. They are both great threats in the air, but against a tall Dutch back line they may struggle. Does Eddie still have the wheels he once had?

And I know he has been injured, but I would love to see Torres play alongside Landon in the midfield. The two of them are magicians with the ball at their feet.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

I’d love to see your lineup take the field Dave. My only worry is that Bradley’s decision to only call up three forwards says “4-5-1″ to me. Very much hope I’m wrong.
EFG

———-Jozy—Johnson———
Beasley–Bradley—-Edu—Donovan
Pearce-Bocanegra-DeMeritt-Spector
————-Howard—————

My Starting XI Prediction
Dave Martinez

Point taken Daryl, and I have that feeling as well. But if we have a lone striker set up, it will never give him an indicator on where EJ ranks. And I think that is the story heading in, and the reason why I think he will go 442. Davies may be recovering, but he is far from there yet. BB needs to see what his options are in a tough environment, and I really hope EJ is up to the task. If not, he can always put Donovan up top to balance things out as well.
SP

mostly agree with you dave, but i feel like holden needs to get the start with maybe donovan on the left or up top and johnson/beasley getting the sub at the half. i think holden is one of the more important players tomorrow in that he may be someone we need to turn to to put in our starting XI if davies or dempsey isnt fit by the world cup. up to this point, holden hasnt started against major competition so we need to get him that experience and see if he’s up for it. i would assume donovan to be on the left, since beasley is more of an outside shot than EJ since we have more depth in the midfield than in our strike force.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Yeah, you’re right Dave. BB could be counting Donovan as a forward, so that would make four. Like I said, really hope it’s not 4-5-1 tomorrow. I think the first two games of the Confederation Cup vs the next three games are all the proof BB needs to convince him that 4-4-2 is the way to go.