WCQ: USA vs Mexico [P] & [R]

[Keemo]

I hope Johnson can start upfront in place of Donovan, I think he's fit enough finally.
Never liked Donovan up top. He's better as a roaming OMF. Put him in Ralston's place.
Bocanegra and Lewis are possible but not for sure.

Convey won't be playing as he's suspended.

For sure Mcbride, Donovan, Reyna, Mastroeni, Onyewu, Keller will be starting.

And for the love of all that is good give Cunnigham some play time, that dude is insane lately.

 

[Run DMB]

I'd like to see:


---------------Onyewu---------Bocanegra-----------------
----Hejduk-----------------------------------Lewis--------



----------------------Mastroeni---------------------------
------Reyna----------------------------Beasley-----------
----------------------Donovan----------------------------



----------------Johnson---------McBride-------------------



Subs to use if we're trailing or even in the second half:

Quaranta, Dempsey, Cunningham, Twellman

 

[xxxFLYERxxx]

I forgot that Convey is suspended. I dont think Beasley will start though, i would count on Eddie Lewis

In the Mexico game on Easter sunday, Bruce fooled all of us and played a 4-2-3-1. And he might surprise us again and play a 3-5-2.

 

[Vagegast]

I'd like...

GK: Keller
RB: Albright
CB: Berhalter
CB: Gooch
LB: Boca
ACM: Donovan
DCM: Reyna [C]
RW: Dempsey
LW: Lewis/DMB
ST: Twellman
ST: McBride

Beasley isn't ready for 90 minutes and neither is GAM, I think. Q-Man or Cunningham should get some time.

 

[Bobby]

Keller

Albright
Onyewu
Berhalter
Bocanegra

Reyna [c]

Dempsey
Beasley/Lewis

Donovan

Cunningham
McBride


GAM for one of the midfielders late if we're down

 

[xxxFLYERxxx]

All these lineups are good. But theres no way that Bruce can leave Pablo Mastroeni out of the starting lineup. He will be the most important player out there, and he has to start. He is just the type of player we need for this game. He will take Mexicos offensive players out of the game, just like he did in 2002.

 

[Bobby]

2 d mids then?

 

[Vagegast]

Bobby, stop copying my line-up.

Btw, game's live on Classic.

 

[#1 Stunna]

Mexico's coach, Lavolpe, said that if USA really is better than Mexico... its time for them to prove it. Having their U-23 team lose 4-0 and beat Mexico in a friendly with a goal in the 93rd min (damn u Pope!) doesnt make the US seem like theyre #1 in CONCACAF.

 

[Run DMB]

All these lineups are good. But theres no way that Bruce can leave Pablo Mastroeni out of the starting lineup. He will be the most important player out there, and he has to start. He is just the type of player we need for this game. He will take Mexicos offensive players out of the game, just like he did in 2002.

True that. But there's another major flaw in those line-ups:

they feature Berhalter.

I'm not saying Bruce won't start him, I'm saying it's a bad idea.

A defense of Albright-Onyewu-Berhalter-Bocanegra is a recipe for disaster. Berhalter is too slow, Bocanegra is not a left back and Albright is a penalty kick waiting to happen. Hejduk-Onyewu-Berhalter-Bocangera is not much better because it means we'll get ZERO offense from our left and right back.

And there's no way Dempsey will start. Or Cunningham for that matter, he's our "super-sub".

 

[Run DMB]

One more thing: Reyna doesn't have to play centrally. He's played on the right for City, Rangers, and even in World Cup 2002 against Mexico. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where Arena uses him in the absence of a quality right mid.

 

[Keemo]

For starters I consider USA equal, not better than Mexico in CONCACAF. Even though we have really improved our consistency as of the last 5 years Mexico's record is still much better overall and we need years more of consistent play to really be considered #1.

Secondly, our record speaks for itself:
"23 Games between the USA and Mexico since 1991, of which the United States has lost just seven times while compiling a solid 9-7-7 record and outscoring Mexico 27-20"

"6 All-time wins for Bruce Arena against Mexico, against four losses and one tie in 11 games."

 

[Vagegast]

Albright over ******* Hejduk any day of the week.

 

[Keemo]

Yeah I'd probably rather have Albright aswell. Onyewu and Boca are the only defenders I really like.

 

[Vagegast]

You can't forget Cory Gibbs.. not only is he better than Albright and Hedjuk, he's versatile. It's a shame he's injured (and a F-Word player).

 

[Keemo]

Yeah I was just thinking about Gibbs. him, gooch, and boca are definalty our best guys.

 

[Run DMB]

I think Gibbs is the best American defender right now. Perhaps Onyewu will overtake him by WC2006 because he's even more athletic. But right now Gooch lacks experience (as evidenced in the Mexico game at the Azteca).

Hejduk is a better defender than Albright, but Albright is more dangerous going forward. I think it's an even trade-off, offense for defense.

 

[#1 Stunna]

Ricardo Osorio (Cruz Azul) has been dropped from the squad due to injury. Duilio Davino (America) has been called up to replace him.

 

[vitu]

Mexico's coach, Lavolpe, said that if USA really is better than Mexico... its time for them to prove it. Having their U-23 team lose 4-0 and beat Mexico in a friendly with a goal in the 93rd min (damn u Pope!) doesnt make the US seem like theyre #1 in CONCACAF.

This Bull**** sounds just like the other **** he said about Mexico wining the WC in 2006...

 

[#1 Stunna]

This Bull**** sounds just like the other **** he said about Mexico wining the WC in 2006...

Lavolpe didnt say that u idiot.

Hugo Sanchez, the master of pulling things out of his ass, said that if they fired Lavolpe and put him in as coach Mexico would win the World Cup.