Is Next, Argentina, Very Nice

March 22nd, 2011 | by: DAS | Comments Off

I suspect few of you get the reference to old Wendy’s commercial from the ’80s about how their new burger was unlike the drab competition. Unfortunately, our USMNT seems unlikely to be much like Wendy’s in this respect.

Players are in the camp now for upcoming friendlies against Argentina this weekend and Paraguay shortly thereafter. Full roster is online: http://me.lt/9A057. The horrible injury to Stu Holden over the weekend means he will once again be out for a long spell. It is really disappointing to once again lose him to injury right before an international competition, especially at a point when he seemed to have so much potential. His absence leaves some interesting quandaries, along with Cherundolo’s.

I’m excited to see that Timothy Chandler picked the US over Germany and is available, but I don’t know if Bradley will play him. I’m also glad to see Ream and Lichaj in the camp. New blood gives me new hope. But I still expect the starting back line will be some combination of guys we have seen before (Bocanegra, Gooch, Bornstein, Spector maybe).

The midfield is a little more of a question mark, especially with Holden out. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bradley play a 4-2-3-1. Dempsey and Donovan will likely be the wings in that case. But I don’t know who gets that front middle spot. Edu I think is more defensive. Maybe Bradley? But he’s more of a defensive mid too.

Jozy clearly stars up front. The only other two strikers available are Agudelo, who has lots of potential but only about half an hour of international playing time, and Buddle, who has some experience but hasn’t exactly blown us away. A 4-4-2 with either of those two getting the start along Jozy is possible though.

When it comes to playing Argentina in a friendly, I’m not really worried about a win. But I’d like to see some fresh blood on the field and see what kind of formation Bradley can put together. It’s time to start mixing in some of the young guys and seeing what they can do.