The one I suggested yesterday in the roster release post was this:
(4-3-2-1, the Christmas Tree, or the Death Spear)
--------------------------Howard
Cherundolo-----Goodson-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra
-----------Bradley-------Jones------Edu
Holden----------------------------------------Dempsey
-------------------------Altidore
This formation puts the five most consistent midfielders the US has in Europe, all on the pitch at the same time. If Bob Bradley would just mingle with the midfield some and get away from his biblical persistence on using the 4-4-2, the US can and will have a world-beater midfield. The only hiccup here is the fact that Stuart Holden plays centrally for Bolton, and currently leads the Premiership in successful tackles, no small feat. Does Holden get a look in the middle, where he is settling in nicely with his club? Or on the flank, where his dangerous right foot can send in crosses for Dempsey and Altidore to rush on to? Seeing him in the middle would be a different twist, and one that Bob Bradley could well use switch things up during a match, but for the time being, he is needed on the flank.
Bradley, Jones and Edu all boarding up the central midfield creates one helluva barrier to break through. All three are are out and out box-to-box midfielders with high defensive IQs and solid instincts. All three can also get involved on offense, as referenced this past week by Bradley's goal against Schalke, Jones' assist against Benfica, and Edu's nearly three goals against Bursaspor. Those latter two came in the Champions League mind you.
In Cherundolo and Bocanegra, we have outside defenders who are currently leading their teams, early on at least, to stunning seasons. Cherundolo is captaining 3rd place Hannover in the Bundesliga, and Bocanegra has shored up the left flank of Saint Etienne, who currently sit top of Ligue One. Cherundolo is dangerous going forward and can deliver some deadly service on the overlap. Bocanegra isn't exactly as good as he used to be at aiding the attack, but his best attribute is on dead ball situations.
In the center of defense, the always steady Clarence Goodson stands guard against any and everything coming over the top. Deadly on dead ball situations, as his height surely has its benefits, as two goals against Honduras and an assist against the Czech Republic would show you. Which leads me to the much maligned Oguchi Onyewu, currently languishing on the bench at AC Milan. Many people are questioning whether Onyewu, who hasn't played a match since the US took on Slovenia in the World Cup, should start, or even play. Let me assure you, just because a player isn't playing on a high profile team like AC Milan, doesn't mean he's regressed talent wise. There isn't a center back, except Onyewu, who could even sniff that roster, and when the guy is on, he's the best defender the US has. He just needs games, my guess is, he starts both.
This brings us to Jozy Altidore, another much maligned US player who currently finds himself in the 18 at Villarreal, but appears to be only getting good time in the Cup competitions. He also hasn't scored (outside of Villarreal friendlies) since the Turkey match in May. That's a dry spell of over 4 months. His work ethic and practice attitudes are being called into question again, as they were when he first got to Villarreal, and later while on loan at Hull City. The fact of the matter is, he's still just 20 years old. He needs time and patience to make it to where the US needs him to be. Nothing could get that ball rolling quicker than a goal or two over the next two matches. The match against Poland he is likely to play up top alone, supported by Dempsey and Holden. Against Colombia, I think Bradley starts him with Grown-Ass-Man Eddie Johnson.
What else could we see next Saturday?
(4-4-2, the Empty Bucket, the Bob Bradley Special)
--------------------------Howard
Cherundolo-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra-----Spector
-------------------Bradley----------Edu
Holden-------------------------------------------Bedoya
-------------------Altidore-------Dempsey
*A bit different, but still the typical empty bucket formation that Bradley loves. Never rule this one out. Spector moves to the left to add defensive speed behind Bedoya, whose knocks include questionable defending. Jones goes to the bench and wait's until the second half to make his cameo. Dempsey slides up top.
(4-2-3-1, that one we should have used in the World Cup)
--------------------------Howard
Cherundolo-----Goodson-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra
-------------------Bradley--------Edu
Holden------------------Dempsey-----------Feilhaber
---------------------------Altidore
*Put Donovan in for Feilhaber and switch Onyewu with DeMerit, and there is the formation that the US should've used in the World Cup. It plays to our depth in midfield and helps to pin back the oppositions wing backs from our vulnerable flanks. I'd put high money on this one being used for the Poland game as well.
What does everyone think? Which formations would you use?
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