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SA POLL: U.S. starters against Dutch
March 1st, 2010 5:32PM
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TAGS:  Americans Abroad, Men's National Team, Netherlands, World Cup


The USA faces the Netherlands at Amsterdam ArenA Wednesday (TV: ESPN2 and Galavision, live, 2:30 p.m. ET) in its final World Cup warmup before Coach Bob Bradley must pick his squad for South Africa. Who should Bradley start against the Dutch?

(Pick your 11 starters and add your comments below.)



0 comments
  1. Jake Lammi
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 9:38 a.m.
    GK Howard, RB Spector, CB Demerit, CB Bocanegra, LB Bornstein, RM Donovan, CDM Edu, CAM Holden, LM Torres, ST Altidore, ST Johnson With the current lack of a real game controlling central midfielder in the national pool, I would always be very cautious to start 2 strikers against a solid Dutch squad. I would usually only start 1 striker and 3 central mids. But it's time to give Edu a chance to pull some strings and Holden the opportunity to release up the field and create. It's very intriguing combination to see how these two would pair up and how well they could compete in the center of the pitch against a 5 star squad in the Netherlands. Also, a healthy Eddie Johnson paired with Altidore up top is also worth a shot. A lot inconsistency for both but still so much potential that if they work hard in all parts of the pitch and work together, they could create real problems for any backline in the world. Also, this match could really seal the deal for Bornstein. If he plays well on the defensive side of the ball and picks and chooses his spots correctly when moving up the wing, Boca will be on the bench to start the cup as Onyewu and Demerit are the best choices to fill the two CB spots. Also, does anyone know why Zak Whitbread has never gotten a look? He tore up last year with Millwall and was getting interest from some prem teams.

  1. Mike Gaynes
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 10:47 a.m.
    I'm one of the tiny minority who would rather see Guzan in goal than Howard -- I'm an Everton fan and would prefer to see Howard get some rest. As to the rest, I would go with a 4-5-1 with Altidore alone up top supported by three CMs -- I've seen enough of Johnson and Findley to never want to see them again. I definitely prefer Goodson to Demerit in the middle (Demerit is far too slow for World Cup competition), and I'd like to see Simek on the right, because the one time I've seen him play for the USA, he was excellent.

  1. Mike Gaire
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.
    I would play 4-4-2 with Donovan up front with Altidore and Beasley on the left wing and Holden in right midfield with Bradley and Edu in the middle. Not sure how many subs are allowed for this game but assuming its 5 my subs would be Guzan, Simek (who I would start at half time at right back) Goodson, Pearce, and Torres. I agree with Mike Gaynes about Johnson and Findley! Get well soon Dempsey and Davies! We need you!

  1. Mike Gaire
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.
    Sorry! didn't lay out my team! Its: Howard,Bornstein, Bocanegra, DeMerit and Spector, Holden, Bradley, Edu and Beasley, Donovan and Altidore.

  1. Brooks Cochrum
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 1:21 p.m.
    4-4-1-1 Up Front Fwd: Jozy Recessed Fwd: Landon MF: Torres, Bradley, Edu, Holden FB: Pearce, Bocs, DeMerit, Spector Clint, please get healthy !! We need you and the Cottagers need you.

  1. Ric Fonseca
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 1:22 p.m.
    Bradley Junior will be red carded leaving the team shorthanded. It is almost a given that he will cause more damage to the team than not... look at his record. Good luck USA.

  1. Alex Lozano
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 2:57 p.m.
    I'd like to see a 4-4-2 with Howard, Spector-DeMerit-Boca-Pearce, Donovan-Bradley-Edu-Holden, Jozy-Findley. I hope Torres gets a good amount of PT & Bedoya gets a look. I don't expect a result but just hope we don't get "killed"! GO, USA!!

  1. Mark Arnold
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 2:58 p.m.
    Who gets left out? Bob can dress 18 - I'd guess that Guzan and Bedoya stay in their street clothes tomorrow.

  1. Brooks Cochrum
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 7:22 p.m.
    I don't really know why Bornstein and especially Eddie Johnson are even on the team, so I'd hope it is them. I like Bornstein, but I don't think he is a difference maker on the left wing and he is not big enough to play middle at this level. Eddie is a great athlete will a pretty low soccer-IQ to be a good forward. If we want to use his speed then it would have seemed time at some point in the past to turn him into a right full back and let him run all day. Then you'd find out if he really had the stomach to play hard for 90+ minutes a game. I really couldn't believe Fulham acquired him...it didn't take them long to say...oh no what did we do and loan him out repeatedly to anyone that would take him. As an FCDallas fan, I'm sure he is better now and glad he is scoring for Aris in Greece. I guess it deserves a look see, but it makes me nervous!

  1. Brooks Cochrum
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 7:27 p.m.
    Does this roster tell us that Jozy is our 'big strong' holding forward? Or is it just the timing of it all. Ching doesn't score as much as he should, but he sure can hold the ball and get others into the action. Jozy seems to play better at Hull City when Venegoor of Hessilink plays with him (they seem to split the holding load) so that Jozy can run...which he is currently better at anwyay. I'd really like to see Jozy and Ching play together with all of these speedy attack minded midfielder we have really handling all of the attacking runs.

  1. Kevin Leahy
    commented on: March 2, 2010 at 7:54 p.m.
    I don't like the way Howard goes down before the shot has even been taken, so I would like to see Guzan. I would also like to see Torres for ninety minutes. We all ready know what Bradley can do. This is a team that is going to struggle for goals!


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