Some thoughts ahead of USA/Paraguay in the second Group C game from the 2007 Copa America (6:30 p.m., GolTV, Univision)...
** The biggest issue heading into Monday's game at Estadio Agustin Tovar in Barinas falls in the lap of coach Bob Bradley. As in, does he treat this tournament seriously and field his best XI or does he continue his evaluation of talent and start another 'experimental' lineup?
If the team is to advance as either the second or third place squad, they'll likely need to nick at least a point off Paraguay.
** Who marks Roque Santa Cruz? After bagging three goals in the 5-0 route of Colombia, it's obvious the Bayern Munchen-man should draw the bulk of the American defensive efforts. Santa Cruz was also voted the sexiest man in the 2006 World Cup by a German newspaper, so he's got that going for him, which is nice...I guess.
Assuming Jay DeMerit gets another -- warranted -- start, he figures to draw the task of watching the 6-foot-2 Paraguayan.
** No matter what, this is a realistically good measuring stick for the national team program. Paraguay is good, not great. The nation has qualified for three straight World Cup finals and in recent times has been the team people mention from South America after Brasil and Argentina. Of course, that's like being mentioned as third in what's your favorite Gabe Kaplan vehicle after 'Welcome Back Kotter' and 'Fast Break.'
At full strength, the US would probably handle Paraguay most times. It might not be pretty, but they'd find a way.
This squad? Who knows.
Neither team really posses a true midfield general so it might be a lot of long balls and movement up-and-down the wings. Both teams are relatively young, so there's no built-in excuse for the US this time around. There was a clear dearth of midfield creativity vs. Argentina. Can Benny Feilhaber and Co. improve against the Guaraníes?
** Forward thinking? Did Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman do enough to warrant starts again up top? Considering the only other two options are Herculez Gomez and Herculez Gomez they probably will.
As I'm guessing this might be a up-and-down raggedy game this might be the game for Johnson, who's top asset is his ability to run onto balls. That said, he doesn't have much confidence in finishing.
For whatever reason Johnson seems to have endless chances in Bradley's book. All things considering, I guess he deserves them. As ineffective as he's been, Johnson had dominated CONCACAF and figures to feature regularly in 2010 World Cup qualifying. Still, he remains an enigma for his inability to perform against stronger competition, which is infuriating.
Davies much talked about pace might warrant a look, too. We all know what Twellman is at this point, a great MLS scorer, a fringe international player. Sad but true.
** Kasey Keller. What more can you say? Does he deserve a start? Not after what happened vs. Argentina. Will he get the start over Brad Guzan? Likely.
Its sad to say, but the last time I can recall Keller playing well was a 2006 qualifier vs. Costa Rica in 2005. Yikes.
Even if we're going with the Herm Edwards philosophy (play to win the game), Guzman might present a better option than Keller, who as you'll notice got a free pass from most media outlets after Argentina.
** Last thoughts... it all goes back to the first question. Is Bradley playing to win or look at players? You almost have to treat it both ways, because depending on all the other results by the time they play Colombia on Thursday it might be a non-issue since it's the last fixture set of the group stage.
It's a total double-edged sword. You want the youngsters to play, but at the cost of possibly advancing? By the same token, what are you going to learn in what could be a meaningless game against Colombia. It's a good thing Bradley went to Princeton because I have no clue which door to choose. Either way, I'd end up with some lousy parting gifts.
Me, I'd play the best I could. Do the experimenting and evaluating in practice. No sense wasting a chance in a winnable game with a bunch of kids. Simply taking a point Monday at least keeps the team alive heading into the final game vs. Colombia. If you're in the business of evaluating players, having more games can only help this, no?
Final guesses:
My preferred lineup: (4-5-1)
GK: Guzan
Def: Bornstein, DeMerit, Conrad (capt.), Pearce
Mid: Mapp, Olsen, Feilhaber, Clark, Kljestan
For: Johnson
More likely lineup: (4-4-2)
GK: Keller
Def: Bornstein, Conrad, Boswell, Pearce
Mid: Mapp, Clark, Feilhaber, Olsen
For: Johnson, Davies
Score: Paraguay 1, USA 0
PS, this all you're going to read for the time being on the U-20 World Cup and the Americans 1-1 draw with South Korea. Can't justifiably comment on a match I did not watch. Sorry Chris Seitz fans.
** The biggest issue heading into Monday's game at Estadio Agustin Tovar in Barinas falls in the lap of coach Bob Bradley. As in, does he treat this tournament seriously and field his best XI or does he continue his evaluation of talent and start another 'experimental' lineup?
If the team is to advance as either the second or third place squad, they'll likely need to nick at least a point off Paraguay.
** Who marks Roque Santa Cruz? After bagging three goals in the 5-0 route of Colombia, it's obvious the Bayern Munchen-man should draw the bulk of the American defensive efforts. Santa Cruz was also voted the sexiest man in the 2006 World Cup by a German newspaper, so he's got that going for him, which is nice...I guess.
Assuming Jay DeMerit gets another -- warranted -- start, he figures to draw the task of watching the 6-foot-2 Paraguayan.
** No matter what, this is a realistically good measuring stick for the national team program. Paraguay is good, not great. The nation has qualified for three straight World Cup finals and in recent times has been the team people mention from South America after Brasil and Argentina. Of course, that's like being mentioned as third in what's your favorite Gabe Kaplan vehicle after 'Welcome Back Kotter' and 'Fast Break.'
At full strength, the US would probably handle Paraguay most times. It might not be pretty, but they'd find a way.
This squad? Who knows.
Neither team really posses a true midfield general so it might be a lot of long balls and movement up-and-down the wings. Both teams are relatively young, so there's no built-in excuse for the US this time around. There was a clear dearth of midfield creativity vs. Argentina. Can Benny Feilhaber and Co. improve against the Guaraníes?
** Forward thinking? Did Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman do enough to warrant starts again up top? Considering the only other two options are Herculez Gomez and Herculez Gomez they probably will.
As I'm guessing this might be a up-and-down raggedy game this might be the game for Johnson, who's top asset is his ability to run onto balls. That said, he doesn't have much confidence in finishing.
For whatever reason Johnson seems to have endless chances in Bradley's book. All things considering, I guess he deserves them. As ineffective as he's been, Johnson had dominated CONCACAF and figures to feature regularly in 2010 World Cup qualifying. Still, he remains an enigma for his inability to perform against stronger competition, which is infuriating.
Davies much talked about pace might warrant a look, too. We all know what Twellman is at this point, a great MLS scorer, a fringe international player. Sad but true.
** Kasey Keller. What more can you say? Does he deserve a start? Not after what happened vs. Argentina. Will he get the start over Brad Guzan? Likely.
Its sad to say, but the last time I can recall Keller playing well was a 2006 qualifier vs. Costa Rica in 2005. Yikes.
Even if we're going with the Herm Edwards philosophy (play to win the game), Guzman might present a better option than Keller, who as you'll notice got a free pass from most media outlets after Argentina.
** Last thoughts... it all goes back to the first question. Is Bradley playing to win or look at players? You almost have to treat it both ways, because depending on all the other results by the time they play Colombia on Thursday it might be a non-issue since it's the last fixture set of the group stage.
It's a total double-edged sword. You want the youngsters to play, but at the cost of possibly advancing? By the same token, what are you going to learn in what could be a meaningless game against Colombia. It's a good thing Bradley went to Princeton because I have no clue which door to choose. Either way, I'd end up with some lousy parting gifts.
Me, I'd play the best I could. Do the experimenting and evaluating in practice. No sense wasting a chance in a winnable game with a bunch of kids. Simply taking a point Monday at least keeps the team alive heading into the final game vs. Colombia. If you're in the business of evaluating players, having more games can only help this, no?
Final guesses:
My preferred lineup: (4-5-1)
GK: Guzan
Def: Bornstein, DeMerit, Conrad (capt.), Pearce
Mid: Mapp, Olsen, Feilhaber, Clark, Kljestan
For: Johnson
More likely lineup: (4-4-2)
GK: Keller
Def: Bornstein, Conrad, Boswell, Pearce
Mid: Mapp, Clark, Feilhaber, Olsen
For: Johnson, Davies
Score: Paraguay 1, USA 0
PS, this all you're going to read for the time being on the U-20 World Cup and the Americans 1-1 draw with South Korea. Can't justifiably comment on a match I did not watch. Sorry Chris Seitz fans.
Labels: Copa America, Soccer, USMNT
A 4-5-1 with Johnson? There would be exactly zero scoring chances created. You might as well go with a 5-5-0 and at least play for a tie.
By the way, love the blog.
What makes you put Bornstein at right back in both line ups? I think you're much more likely to see Wynne or Moor. Bornstein has played in a LOT of games recently so he needs a rest. Plus, he's got enough to learn as a relatively new left back to not switch him around.
How long until you start making the Johnson -- Emile Heskey comparisons? Kidding aside, I sort of like Johnson he's fast and a better finisher than anyone else up front at the moment... I know he's been MIA for the most part over the last 18 months or so, but he was one of the better Americans on the field against the Czech's last year, and he didn't look so bad in the Gold Cup match were he netted a goal (I'm too lazy to look up which match).
Please!!! Johnson != Heskey!
Copa America blog
Bornstein plays left back, O above anonymous poster. Please pay attention.
Oops, must read whole comment and look at actual post. My apologies, Mr. Anonymous.
Maybe there is some confusion, the lineups are from the left. but it is a good point, bornstein might sit because he's played so much lately.