Pair Dempsey with Jozy, in comes Holden. Is that an option?

BTW, the fact Demerit went over to Bradley to get instructions instead of celebrating makes me not want to take him out of the game for some reason.

we really don't have many options at the back. The lineup we have back there is the best we have.

I'll admit no such thing! Well actually, I've trashed Bradley some in the past, and have to give kudos where it's due. He did quite well today with everything. Even the Clark decision against England, which I hated (and still hate) worked out as Clark played ok.

The thing is, I don't think it's that we were wrong about Torres as much as we got the tactics wrong if we're going to play with Torres. He did some good things and started off well, but really didn't play well at all. I think the main reason for that is that we treated him like Clark. Basically, he was forced to do nothing but defend because we could put together very little through the middle of the field (mostly down to Gooch and Demerit being so poor in distribution).

I mean, he was poor, there's no getting around it, and I was one of the loudest screaming that he should be included. This type of game made sense for him, but we just played so terribly in the first half that he didn't have much of a chance to succeed.

Put it this way, I think Bob made the wrong decision against England by starting Clark...but he ran good and it worked out.

I think Bob made the right decision starting Torres today....but he ran bad and it didn't work out.

That being said, I think Edu should start on Wednesday.

I agree completely with what you say about the alternative shape. There's no reason that we HAVE to play with two parallel strikers, and we saw today that other formations can work well. I don't want to see Buddle or Gomez just because I think Holden, Benny, Edu etc. are >>>> than the two of them. Frankly, I think it's time for some Stu Holden in my life, so that's what I'm hoping for.

Yep, and a very good option. I would love to see that lineup.

I said this to a friend of mine right away. I really like Demerit because of how hard and passionate he plays, but this made me like him even more. So impressive to be that tactically aware and responsible. A+

As frustrating as DeMerit can be, he's better than Gooch. If we had a good LB, we could play Boca w/ Demerit. Maybe Wednesday is the game for Beasley?????

No!

I don't think I can handle DMB playing at a relatively unfamiliar position in a game we need.

I really hope Gooch can pull himself together and find a high level of play again soon. I wonder what his future at Milan is going to be like... I would just hate for his career to go into a downspin because of that injury.

he's just lacking playing time. I kind of feel like he was at fault for both goals today and if he had played 40 games this year, he probably wouldn't have made those mistakes. He looks slow and sluggish. I guess we are asking a lot of him, but our options suck right now.

That had to be such a weird moment for BB. Like "that's my son!!!!!!one1!1! ****, professionalism. Tactics. 4-4-2! JAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

hahahaha, no doubt. Has a coach's son ever scored a goal in a WC before this? How many HC-Son combo's have there actually been???

I don't even disagree with the thought, but my heart cannot stand seeing Beasley on the field, I'm sure he would make some incredibly stupid mistake and cost us a result.

Maldini and Kranjcar come immediately to mind, I think Niko may have even scored?

edit: and Maradona's son-in-law, ldo.

there's a possibility that Holden hasn't gotten in tip top form yet from that injury he picked up during the Netherlands game. I don't recall him doing too much in any of the friendlies.

oh cool, but its pretty rare though? Man, all things considered, Bob Bradley was a great appointment for NT coach and I've really liked the direction this team is headed. The team clicks at certain times and just plays like so great. Do you guys think he gets an extension or will they go with someone else after the WC? I guess its partially up to BB as well. Could he become the first American to manage in Europe???

I don't see Bradley going anywhere in Europe tbh. He'll never get any respect unless the US does something ridiculous like making it to the semifinal/final.

Also Re: Gooch

He looks fine physically to me... he's just not match sharp yet, which makes sense. Hopefully the reps help him improve.

he can manage sp*rs reserves

If we tie Algeria and England ties Slovenia, we're probably in because we'd have more goals scored than England right?

Yup, england would have to score at least 2 goals to force a coinflip, 3 to go on automatically. Drawing 2-2 against slovenia is very unlikely imo.

whatever happened to Freddy Adu? when he was like 15 he was linked to every major club over here, and now hes not even in the US squad. I thought he was going to be the first proper US 'superstar' in football

He's tiny, and not quite good enough to be tiny and play at a really top level.

he's playing in Greece right now (well not sure about next season). He just sort of bought into his own hype and was asked to do too much at such a young age. He is still a young guy and has time to revitalize his career, but it doesn't look good. US soccer is moving on with or w/o him.

He is actually 30 years old.

fixt

half-serious FYP