How about those Danish Van Houtens?
What, you're telling me you didn't stick with 'The Simpsons' through season 19?
Guess I'd have to call that a cromulent decision.
If you read those last three seconds and your brain didn't turn into a puddle of chocolate pudding, you were probably able to deduce that I don't have a whole lot to offer for Wednesday's USMNT friendly against Denmark in Aarhus. (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.)
First, from a Danish perspective what exactly does Martin Olsen have to gain from this match? If anything he'll be keeping his fingers crossed that nobody gets hurt, especially with Niclas Bendtner already on the shelf for a couple weeks.
The Danish lineup, too, figures to be a mix of the old (Christian Poulsen, Martin Jørgensen) with the new (13 players with 10 or less caps).
And considering the usual placid and chipper demeanor of Danish fans, Olsen figures to play this is as a textbook friendly match.
Meanwhile, for the U.S.? There are a couple things to consider for Bob Bradley's team.
1) Will Edgar Castillo get his debut? Why call him in if he's not going to play? Whether you're a Jonathan Bornstein hater or apologist, we can agree we've seen enough of the Chivas USA player that Castillo and Heath Pearce deserve the minutes Wednesday.
2) Will Bradley continue to experiment with Jonathan Spector in the center of the defense? I actually like this move, since even as he gets older Steve Cherundolo is functional at right back. Not sure if Spector has the size or strength to fit the mold of a typical U.S. center-back, but he could provide a little more ball distribution. Considering the other options (Marshall, Goodson, etc.) trying Spector here isn't the worst idea in the world.
3) The forwards? Does anybody want to step up?
4) Stuart Holden is back in the mix. Watching the MLS Western Conference final, he seemed to play a lot more of a central role for Houston. Will that matter? And by the same token, Brad Davis looked both frisky and tricksy on the left for the Dynamo. Shouldn't he be given a token look? This lets you move Landon Donovan to more of a pure forward and alleviate the loss of Charlie Davies at the top of the U.S. attack.
5) Michael Bradley v. Poulsen. Odds on one of the midfield gladiators receiving a red card? 50/50? Lower since its a friendly?
Lineup Guess:
Admittedly, I might as well try the Cash 5....
GK -- Guzan (for at least a half)
DEF -- Spector -- Marshall -- Bocanegra -- Castillo
MID -- Holden -- Bradley -- Clark --DempseyRogers
FOR -- Alitdore -- Johnson
Final thought:
Even if this game means next to nothing, it is at least a game. The next scheduled U.S. match isn't until March against the Netherlands, so we might as well relish it for what it is even if it won't answer any of our questions leading up to June 2010.
What, you're telling me you didn't stick with 'The Simpsons' through season 19?
Guess I'd have to call that a cromulent decision.
If you read those last three seconds and your brain didn't turn into a puddle of chocolate pudding, you were probably able to deduce that I don't have a whole lot to offer for Wednesday's USMNT friendly against Denmark in Aarhus. (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.)
First, from a Danish perspective what exactly does Martin Olsen have to gain from this match? If anything he'll be keeping his fingers crossed that nobody gets hurt, especially with Niclas Bendtner already on the shelf for a couple weeks.
The Danish lineup, too, figures to be a mix of the old (Christian Poulsen, Martin Jørgensen) with the new (13 players with 10 or less caps).
And considering the usual placid and chipper demeanor of Danish fans, Olsen figures to play this is as a textbook friendly match.
Meanwhile, for the U.S.? There are a couple things to consider for Bob Bradley's team.
1) Will Edgar Castillo get his debut? Why call him in if he's not going to play? Whether you're a Jonathan Bornstein hater or apologist, we can agree we've seen enough of the Chivas USA player that Castillo and Heath Pearce deserve the minutes Wednesday.
2) Will Bradley continue to experiment with Jonathan Spector in the center of the defense? I actually like this move, since even as he gets older Steve Cherundolo is functional at right back. Not sure if Spector has the size or strength to fit the mold of a typical U.S. center-back, but he could provide a little more ball distribution. Considering the other options (Marshall, Goodson, etc.) trying Spector here isn't the worst idea in the world.
3) The forwards? Does anybody want to step up?
4) Stuart Holden is back in the mix. Watching the MLS Western Conference final, he seemed to play a lot more of a central role for Houston. Will that matter? And by the same token, Brad Davis looked both frisky and tricksy on the left for the Dynamo. Shouldn't he be given a token look? This lets you move Landon Donovan to more of a pure forward and alleviate the loss of Charlie Davies at the top of the U.S. attack.
5) Michael Bradley v. Poulsen. Odds on one of the midfield gladiators receiving a red card? 50/50? Lower since its a friendly?
Lineup Guess:
Admittedly, I might as well try the Cash 5....
GK -- Guzan (for at least a half)
DEF -- Spector -- Marshall -- Bocanegra -- Castillo
MID -- Holden -- Bradley -- Clark --
FOR -- Alitdore -- Johnson
Final thought:
Even if this game means next to nothing, it is at least a game. The next scheduled U.S. match isn't until March against the Netherlands, so we might as well relish it for what it is even if it won't answer any of our questions leading up to June 2010.
Labels: bob bradley, Friendlies, Soccer, USMNT
I thought Dempsey left and was not available for this game.