US national team pieces falling into place

On the day after the afternoon before against Turkey, the CounterAttack found some causes for optimism ahead of lineup choices that Bob Bradley will have in South Africa. Certain things became more clear during the match. What is most encouraging is that certain players have started to step up, becoming impossible to overlook.

The experiment to use Carlos Bocanegra as a left wingback seems to be a success. Ok, it won’t work against teams with very quick wingers. On the whole, however, Chuckie does a good job bringing the ball up to provide more attacking options without losing too much on the defensive end. Think “Gary Neville Lite” (er, but on the left side).

It is also clear that gammy leg or not, Gooch Onyewu is the only choice for center-half. Too often the back line gave the Turks space to move. This led not only to their goal but also to several clear-cut opportunities. Gooch is a physical presence who presses his marks and doesn’t allow them space. He seems to inspire DeMerit when they partner, so hopefully Jay will have a better match than last night’s game.

Cherundolo as the other wingback is, in the CounterAttack’s opinion, a given. Trumbolo is too experience and yesterday showed what happens with unsteady players. The back line should therefore be set because Spector, Goodson and Bornstein all had iffy nights. It is difficult to see any of them called into a critical match.

Up front, let’s hope that Bradley will cut out the Dempsey-for-striker nonsense. An effective Clint Dempsey is a Deuce that has space to play into. He is most lethal from 20-30 yards out. Playing as attacking MF, he forces defenses to stretch further out from goal, opening up holes that can lead to goals. Deuce is neither a back-to-goal striker nor a go-ahead striker. He can, however, carve up a defense, create opportunities for himself, or lay passes off for teammates to run onto. These require space to roam and Bradley should harness Clint’s abilities properly.

Meanwhile, at this point Landon is the closest thing the MNT has ever had to an unstoppable player. He can move the ball at will and open up space. In fact, ever since the Italy match in Germany ’06, he has only been stopped by his teammates when they don’t score of his creations. Pairing Lannie as creative MF, with Dempsey as attacking MF, suddenly there are options for the US to score from distance and inside the area.

But the really good news is the emergence of Jose Torres. Immediately the Pachuca midfielder came on to replace the (again) ineffective Rico Clark, the complexion of the midfield changed instantly. Rushed passes do not mean quick decision-making; quite the opposite, they indicate that players are uncertain of what to do with the ball. Torres asserted a calm on the pitch, and suddenly passes were less rushed and more accurate. With Torres on, his teammates found space instead of clogging themselves up. Having a possession midfielder who knows how to hold, move and distribute the ball will do that.

Torres is a very different midfielder than the MNT has enjoyed in some time, since at least the Tab Ramos days (damned shame he was born about 10 years too soon). The only problem is that it will be either Torres or Michael Bradley as starter. Baby Bradley has too much experience and a scoring touch that cannot be ignored. But the emergence of Torres means that Bradley is going to be pushed – a bad series of plays, a stupid foul or caution, and by rights Torres should get the call straightaway.

The US still does not have a player that breaks into any top international side as a starter. But this is definitely a tight squad whose best players know how to play amongst each other quite well. There is a very skilled midfield that can match up well against all but the best squads. The MNT have developed into a really tough lineup, top to bottom, that few will want to face. The last remaining question is “will they score” – but then, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

Image via AP Photo/Matt Slocum on The Morning Call

Handicapping the Final 23

The CounterAttack is back, just in time for the 2010 World Cup. To get started, we’re going to predict Bob Bradley’s final 23 for the roster to South Africa.

First, we can eliminate some players after last night’s match v Czech Republic. Defense was poor in Hartford, so Heath Pearce made the wrong mistake at the wrong time. Considering that Chad Marshall didn’t play, that speaks volumes. In the midfield, Sacha Kljestan is also out – we never liked him and always wondered why the hype. Forward Robbie Findley is out because he didn’t play, while Eddie Johnson is out because he didn’t do enough last night and is still recovering from injury. Now for who's going:

GKs
Brad Guzan – the Villa keeper still has some work to do. Third-string but on the plane.

Marcus Hahnemann – in our view, the best keeper on the squad but inertia will keep the Wolves man as backup to…

Tim Howard – the US No. 1, his job for this cup and at least the next one too.

DFs
Carlos Bocanegra – a solid, experienced and physical defender. Prone to silly yellow caution cards, but Chuckie Black Mouth is a no-brainer and will captain the squad.

Jonathan Bornstein – we want him to do well. He can do well. He can also stink it up. Let’s hope the Good Bornstein shows up in South Africa.

Steve Cherundolo – the man from Hannover is solid, steady and knows how to bring the ball forward. He’s recovered from injury so he gets a ticket to South Africa.

Jay DeMerit – another one graced by lack of options. A bit slow and not that great moving forward but has done enough to claim a spot.

Clarence Goodson – a work in progress but a decent match last night, on a night where few defenders shined, should be enough. Besides, Bradley said he liked him. Oh well.

Oguchi Onyewu – he looked tired, very tired in the second half last night but that’s match fitness. Two more friendlies should be enough to put the Milan defender back.

Jonathan Spector – the CounterAttack has always liked the West Ham man. He’s unspectacular but calm. He can be beaten by speedy attackers but Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi are in other groups.

MFs
DaMarcus Beasley – Run DMB has had to work his way back into contention. He’ll be going to his third World Cup and if there is any justice, will get a goal to make up for his disallowed goal v Italy in ’06.

Alejandro Bedoya – the CounterAttack has to admit not knowing much about him but he was a calming presence v CZE last night. And, everyone seems to think he’ll go. We won’t argue.

Michael Bradley – no question. The attack will run through him and Donovan.

Ricardo Clark – a stronger squad might leave him off but he’s come on strong. Rico seems to have learned from his mistakes. Not a starter but he’s going.

Clint Dempsey – there are quite a few no-brainers. The Fulham man is one of them.

Landon Donovan – (no comment, none needed)

Maurice Edu – he’ll likely make it after last night’s performance. Scored the goal and offers some options as a defender. That’s key in tournament play.

Benny Feilhaber – oh, we like the kid who scored that wonder goal v MEX in the 07 Gold Cup final. We want him to do well.

Stuart Holden – we have been impressed with Holden since his Dynamo days. It’s his brain that makes him so important. Apparently Bolton were impressed with his match last night – they’ve just offered to extend his contract while he’s still inexpensive.

José Torres – nice to see the Pachuca man out there. We think he did enough to impress.

Strikers
Jozy Altidore – but we think he should come off the bench v ENG.

Edson Buddle – World Cup history is full of strikers who got hot at the right time. With his hot streak in MLS right now, it's tough to leave him out. We're going out on a limb on this one.

Herculez Gomez – the CounterAttack has been screaming for his inclusion. He came on last night, everyone expected him to score. He did. End of.

Wild Card
Robbie Rogers – we like him. A lot. Think he should go. Might go. Don’t be surprised, probably at Rico's expense.


image via John Dorton/US Soccer