US vs Denmark Preview

So after a less than impressive performance against Slovakia the US will look to turn things around and end on a positive note for 2009.  That won't be easy to accomplish playing away to a team who dominated in a difficult UEFA qualifying group, which included Portugal and Sweden, without the US' best keeper, defender, midfielder, and striker all absent through injury or club commitments.  Now with Clint Dempsey sent back to England someone will need to step up and headline this US attack.  Dempsey was terrific for stretches of the Slovakia match, but faded in and out like always.  Some defensive reshuffling must occur as well because Steve Cherundolo has been sent back to Germany where he was a pallbearer at teammate Robert Enke's funeral.  Also gone through injury is Crew stalwart Chad Marshall.  Also, Jonathan Bornstein isn't helping his chances by giving away penalties.  So who needs to step up for the offense?  The addition of Stuart Holden should help a bit, his speed and crossing ability will be an upgrade from the last match.  How about a defensive mix-up?  Here's one for ya:

-----------Spector-----Goodson-----Bocanegra-----Castillo

Yep, Castillo with the start.  It is a friendly after all and what better for him to get acquainted with Nats than to play a solid 70+ minutes with them.  Spector was serviceable in the middle, but RB is his natural position so he moves there, allowing Goodson his chance to impress for a roster spot.

In midfield I'd expect a lineup like this:

------------------Clark-----Bradley

Holden---------------------------------------Feilhaber

That seems like an easy call as Rogers was mostly ineffective in his run out.  Feilhaber plays LM for is club AGF Aarhus (at whose stadium the game will be played) and so is a valid option there.  With Denmark being quite physical I expect Ricardo Clark to be added for some defensive bite which will also allow Bradley Jr. to push forward and attack.

Up top:

--------------Altidore-----Johnson

Yes, Eddie Johnson, who was the most exciting striker on the field against Slovakia and seems to have come a long way since his first days at Fulham.  Pairing with the more physical but deceptively quick Altidore could open things up for Johnson who is looking for every reason to be apart of his second World Cup.

Put that all together and we have:

---------------------Guzan

Spector-----Goodson-----Bocanegra-----Castillo

--------------Bradley-------Clark

Holden------------------------------------Feilhaber

-------------Johnson--------Altidore