Copa America Centenario

[toldozer]

2 hours ago, AppHeel said:

Preach! I've been wanting to see Nagbe and Pulisic all tournament and with the exception of 20-25 minutes against Columbia in a game already lost, we haven't had the opportunity to see them on a big stage. I can't fault JK so much bc the personnel decisions he's made have led to good results. Plus, Nagbe and Pulisic are more offensive minded and given that we have been up late in games, putting more defensive oriented players in the match like Beckerman make sense. 

However, given that we are down 3 starters against likely Argentina, the odds of us seeing those two play has risen substantially. Not sure if either will start, but I'd wager both will see time. 

My best guess for the starting 11 next game will be a 4-4-2 with Dempsey and Zardes up top, Bradley and Beckerman in the middle, Zusi and Fabian Johnson out wide and Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks and Besler in the back. Guzan in goal. Nagbe and Pulisic off the bench. 

No Jones or Bedoya and a competent performance by Besler should give JK the confidence to move arguably our best attacking mid in Johnson up the field where he's most comfortable.

Can't wait. Love watching this team.

I'm with you on this line up.  I wouldn't mind seeing Johnson and yedlin both in the mid field on the outsides.  Might as well go for it. Don't see us packing it in and holding them. 

[AppHeel]

58 minutes ago, toldozer said:

I'm with you on this line up.  I wouldn't mind seeing Johnson and yedlin both in the mid field on the outsides.  Might as well go for it. Don't see us packing it in and holding them. 

Yea it's pretty clear that when Yedlin and Johnson push up and attack, things typically happen to our benefit. My only fear of not having Yedlin at right back is that when we do have to track back on defense, Argentina has several attacking players (Messi, Di Maria, Aguero, etc) that are fast as hell. Yedlin's speed will be key in getting back on defense so I'd just assume leave him in the back.

[DirtyMagic97]

Pushing Yedlin up too high often will leave you very vulnerable against Argentina. That will force both Bradley and Beckerman to cover and not fully allow them to establish a midfield presence. I don't see us going full parked bus, but we are going to need to be very careful about when we attack and when we settle.

[toldozer]

5 hours ago, DirtyMagic97 said:

Pushing Yedlin up too high often will leave you very vulnerable against Argentina. That will force both Bradley and Beckerman to cover and not fully allow them to establish a midfield presence. I don't see us going full parked bus, but we are going to need to be very careful about when we attack and when we settle.

I'd prefer Zusi in instead of Beckerman with yedlin  and Johnson on the outside 

 

That gives you six two way players up front that are all capable of tracking back.. no speed in the back and no push to attack from the back four though.  I just hate Beckerman.  I was glad Bedoya got his second yellow,  he's trash also imo.  Losing wood and Jones really sucks though.  Chances of beating Argentina was slim anyway.  I'd rather them lose 5-2 instead of 2-0 with no attack.  

[DirtyMagic97]

20 hours ago, toldozer said:

I'd prefer Zusi in instead of Beckerman with yedlin  and Johnson on the outside 

 

That gives you six two way players up front that are all capable of tracking back.. no speed in the back and no push to attack from the back four though.  I just hate Beckerman.  I was glad Bedoya got his second yellow,  he's trash also imo.  Losing wood and Jones really sucks though.  Chances of beating Argentina was slim anyway.  I'd rather them lose 5-2 instead of 2-0 with no attack.  

I'm no fan of Beckerman but Jurgy likes the way he holds defensively and I think he'll carry a defensive mindset into the match.

[Goondal]

Venezuela could make all of this a lot easier if they simply won tonight

[Goondal]

6 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

What are the odds they could even upset a juggernaut like Argentina?

hehe, pretty damn low.  I could barely type that with a straight face.  I suppose if Messi We're attacked by a deer on his way to the stadium and the rest of the team were so overcome with grief that they could not take the pitch.

Their best chance is to somehow not concede and win on penalties.  Even getting there would take a miracle.

[Goondal]

Okay, so the deer I sent has failed in his mission.

[Goondal]

That might have been the worst PK that I have ever seen.

[Still Brooklyn]

Argentina done gon rape the US. But hey, semifinals! Good job, boys!

[Goondal]

1 hour ago, Still Brooklyn said:

Argentina done gon rape the US. But hey, semifinals! Good job, boys!

Probably

[Still Brooklyn]

Chile is like ... good and stuff.

[Ja Rhule]

Sanchez causing all kind of trouble...  Maybe Wenger should move him to CF and get a winger instead?

[pantherphan96]

and I thought Brazil v Germany was bad lol