looks like bradley will be using a 1 striker formation is my guess. Don't get adu and no chandler doesn't make much sense either

So fifth MF, they gonna try and play Edu and JJ together? Maybe slot Kljesten or Feilhaber in behind a striker while Deuce gets forward?

I actually like the bucket with this group more than trying to slot the players we've got in camp into a new(er) formation. Bradley and Deuce are work rate guys. Clogging the MF is kind of detrimental to their strengths no?

I'm no Bedoya fanboy obviously, but he's playing better than Kljestan, Rogers, or Adu right now.

I'm admittedly a bit of a Sacha apologist (like some are with JFT) but he's actually getting some decent run at Anderlecht. He did play Champions League this year... which is more than anybody else can say in camp. I haven't seen Crew play this year. Has Robbie just been tearing it up down the flank?

And the Adu thing... it's probably a last chance from BB. His confidence has got to be at a high and he's been as humbled as he'll probably get. If he doesn't perform at GC he's likely done barring some incredible resurgence. I'm just nervous Chandler isn't getting run. I hope it's just Nuremberg getting a request granted to give him time off...

lol wtf is this ****

probably a standard 442 (4411 w/o ball) with Wondo playing off the striker (Agudelo seeing time there too), with Donovan/Dempsey on the flanks when we don't have the ball, and pushing centrally when we do.

vs Mexico, I'm guessing he goes to a 4-5-1 / 4-3-2-1 xmas tree type shape, though I'm not sure we've played like this before?


--------Altidore---------
---Landon---Dempsey--
-----Edu--MB--Jones----

god I hope not, something like that doesn't work with us because our fullbacks (Chandler ) can't provide with and all of those players like to play through the middle.

smart move Bunbury.

Chances of him actually declaring for Canada? 5%? More?

If we don't win this fire Bradley.

I hope this is true

U.S. SOCCER by SoccerByIves Bradley on Chandler: "He told us physically and mentally this season has been a long one ... Time wasn't right for this Gold Cup."

OK that makes me feel a lot better. Like or not, the GC isn't that important tbqh..

Still though, Adu????

I'm a fan of SK coming in... I don't get to see him play much obv, but he's getting a solid run in Europe, so he deserves a spot.

I don't see much of a choice on Gooch either.... we're not exactly deep at CB.

I think Ream is absolutely a starter at CB.

Disappointed about Chandler but sounds like Nuremberg didn't want to release him and they decided it was better EV wise for his development to keep him on good terms with them. I definitely think he could be a big piece in 2014, so whatever's best for his development now is fine with me (even though this is obviously an important tournament).

I would think Agudelo and Jozy would start together up top in the bucket as opposed to assuming we're going to a 4-3-3 4-5-1 thing, particularly because we have no attacking fullbacks and noone to play behind the striker.

Agudelo at least should be fit and ready to play 90 minutes, he's started and gone deep in games with Red Bulls but because they have Henry he's been coming off the bench too so he's plenty rested, in the middle of his season, and he's 18 freaking years old. He can play a lot.

Plus Dempsey and Donovan are both more than capable of sliding up top if one of the JA's need a break.

And finally, we're very likely to be in a position to take a striker off for a midfielder in a lot of these games, so I can see only bringing 3 strikers even if you have no intention of tweaking the formation.

The template Bob could be envisioning is starting with Jozy and Juan up top against say Canada. Grab a 2 goal lead by the 60th minute. Then take Jozy off for Edu and kill the game off. Makes sense to me I guess.

Looking back through this thread I guess I will trust my March self that Wondo earned this call up with his play in the last friendly against Chile. He reminded me of Ching. And Ching was always a bit of a terror for the smaller CONCACAF teams to handle.

Guess it can't hurt to put 19 in the net last MLS season and already 5 this year in 10 matches (on 38 shots... dude certainly not afraid to let it rip.)

And I'm certainly in favor of rewarding guys that have had success in MLS. It helps the league's credibility at least a little bit.

Can he still play for Germany if he wants to?

Think so, has to be a competitive game right?

I think so, but its highly unlikely since there are some very good german CBs coming up

I'm an Adu fan, glad to see him get a shot. I realize he's had a terrible career in europe but he seems to be doing ok this year in Turkey and he's still only 21. he's done really well w/ national teams up to u23s and already had four good years in mls. he's as old now as dempsey was to start his career in mls.

i'd be a little surprised if agudelo starts right away. still only 18 and not even starting for his club, most of his national team minutes have been coming off the bench right? if we go with 2 forwards wouldnt dempsey be more likely to start up there?

Happy about Wondo. Haters gonna hate, but the guy scores goals and is a high work rate guy like Donovan and Dempsey. Not the same class of player, but I understand why Bradley went with him.

He could if we wanted to. The friendlies that he played in don't count, think of Jermaine Jones and how he can play for the US. Now if he's capped for a WC qualifier then I believe he's locked in to playing for the red white and blue

Adu is young, but color me skeptical on him actually being 21

Beat Mexico go to confederation cup. This is very important.

The Confederation Cup isn't important but we should make it so since we have so few competitions to take seriously.

Not really.... especially if Chandler needs the rest. WCQ is 10000x more important.

I don't mean to say the Gold Cup is completely worthless, just that it's not our top priority. Chandler's #1 goal should be his club atm.

Whether or not chandler plays is up to him, but that wasnt what I was talking about.

I think its important and I want us to win it. If he doesn't feel fit enough, then I don't want him to risk it.

Well then you should prob consider context next time.