The United States takes on the Colombians Tuesday in perhaps the least anticipated game since an El Salvador team showed up without focus–and perhaps hungover–against the States’ “B” team back in February.
Can't do a Colombia preview and not show a picture of Carlos Valderrama...oh and that's Tom Dooley next to him on the day of the 1994 World Cup win for the States.
The backend of the Yanks’ two friendly affairs this extended weekend should see Bob Bradley continue to explore formations as he did against Poland, but deploy more reserves than in Chicago.
The Colombian Coffee Growers–I sweat that is their nickname–sport a fairly talented team that plays a highly defensive and counterattacking game–not unlike their U.S. counterparts. In the past two calendar years, Colombia has conceded more than two goals in a match just three times. Twice to Chile and once to Uruguay.
Not impressed? During that stretch, Colombia has played multiple games against Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
Their backline sports the regal duo–and Serie A back-ups–Ivan Cordoba (34) of Inter and Mario Yemes (34), a Gooch teammate at Milan.
Defensive record non-withstanding, Colombia brought in coach Hernan Gomez in May to bring back some magic from his playing days.
Colombia certainly has the tools.
Falcao, flat out nasty for club and country. Mark that name!
Under Gomez, expect Colombia to be a little more offensive. They won’t have Wigan’s Hugo Rodallego (who made TSG’s EPL team of the year in the ’09-10 campaign) in Chester, PA, but Colombia still bring a slew of accomplished attackers with them in Turkish side Trabzonspor’s Teofilo Gutierrez, Racing’s Giovanni Moreno, and Porto’s Falcao.
Falcao is the one to watch out of the group. Check this gaudy stat: in all competitions since 2005, the 24-year-old striker has 64 goals in 128 competitions. Wow!
Without further ado, we jump into our preview. We’ll mix it up a little this time.
It goes:
Denouements
TSG What We’re Looking For
11 At The Whistle
And…action:
Denouements from Saturday:
• “Look, I made a mistake”
I realized that I was inconsistent in two ratings on Saturday. With Carlos Bocanegra’s rating I took into account his age while with Jozy Altidore I did not do likewise.
For consistency, I will be issuing ratings without pride, prejudice, age discrimination or seasoning going forward–meaning that regardless of a player’s task or maturation I will grade their performance as if they only had a number and not a name on the back of their jersey.
• Dear XYZ, that would a 4-2-3-1
Had a chance to perusue the interwebs Monday morning at 3am. Such is the life a new father with a burping bundle of joy who likes the night shift.
A reinforcement: The Yanks played a 4-2-3-1 on offense Saturday. Not a 4-5-1, not a 4-3-3.
Not only does the video prove this but U.S. Soccer was nice enough to send out a release labeling their formation. It’s subtleties in formations that are all the difference.
A 4-5-1 formation is exceedingly more defensive and “flat” whilst the 4-3-3 is the inverse…exceedingly offense with a heavy reliance on true wingers to provide corner play that opens the middle. This was not a 4-5-1. It was certainly not a 4-3-3; the lack of width was a stark challenge for the Yanks.
Jones quarterbacked and Holden supported...well...
Why is the 4-2-3-1 further significant? Because it helps us understand the responsibilities set forth specifically for Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones.
As an advocate of someone who thought too much was entrusted to Junior, I was surprised, excited, and astonished as Jermaine Jones played the dominant holder and linker in central midfield and Michael Bradley played off him. Whether that is maintained or not, or the right decision or not, it was a breath of fresh air from Bradley Senior.
• Just one sub?
Again, I understand Bradley’s use of just one sub Saturday.
Two notions here: (1) Bradley has always stated, and players in interviews comment, that it’s what is done through camp–not just in the friendlies–that matters most; and, (2) It’s a new formation and a new backline; that more than a collection of players was being tested Saturday. You can’t evaluate a formation if you’re shuttling players in and out or you don’t have time learn and apply halftime adjustments.
Expect the Colombia game to give every camp player a shot. It’s the privilege of stepping on the field that is the necessary reward for the camp participants that aren’t automatic starters.
———-
What We’re Looking For:
• Well, appropriate expectations for one
Yanks’ fans meet Brek Shea. Shea is the latest torchbearer for the familiar role of “Call-ups that haven’t played yet who have been anointed as ‘The Next Best Thing’.”
That list most recently includes the likes of Alejandro Bedoya (who has shown he still belongs), Robbie Findley (your vote here?) and Jeff Cunning among others.
The hype machine runs long and deep with a short memory for many of those “worthy” of the list.
With that said, Shea represents an excellent call-up by Coach Bradley. A taller, physical winger-forward in the same mold as Bedoya, perhaps Shea’s best attribute is that he is left-footed.
Brek played out of place--with a terrible haircut--for Rongen's side...
I had a chance to see Shea both in U-20 games and with FC Dallas this year. With Rongen’s U-20 squad, Shea disappointed; however, that was, in my opinion, because he was deployed out of position as a striker and because a consistently juggled midfield meant inconsistent service. How does Thomas Rongen still have his gig?
Flash forward, to Shea’s game this year with FC Dallas and you see a player who has clearly developed his game, but maybe more importantly is the beneficiary of the service of David Feirrera–one of MLS top three midfielders in my mind–behind him and the speed and savvy of Jeff Cunningham, Milton Rodriguez and Altiba Harris ahead of him.
Don’t look for Shea to be a world beater should he step on the pitch in this one. Look for him to be more-than-solid if he can pick up the game plans after only a few practices. That’s our measure of success.
One more note: the addition of Shea’s left foot gives the Yanks an imperfect ability to use a inside-out (or rightfooted) leftback. Not likely though.
• More on those expectations: Jozy Altidore
I had a chance to read through the excellent commentary by the TSG community after our Poland review piece.
A lot of dialogue as always on Jozy Altidore.
He’s my thought today. I like Bob Bradley continuing to deploy Altidore up top and I hope with more and more reps Altidore–who will be only 24 at World Cup 2014–will make strides.
The lack of depth in the player pool is no secret. Can you name another player you would lay your money on for 2014 to start right now?
Even if it takes four years and a handful of frustrating performances, it all will be worth it for Bradley and Team USA if Altidore can learn and then apply on the job.
Impersonally, the striker position deserves more for the Yanks. Right now, the sporadic displays of a 20-year-old with one World Cup under his belt represents the Yanks’ best option.
• Will Spector, Lichaj, and eventually Franklin get a license to speed forward?
No, this has nothing to do with Charlie Davies.
It appears that Bob Bradley has already made his bed with Stu Holden and the right half back position. That’s the position that Holden has played exclusively for the national team.
When Ricardo Clark and Jermaine Jones were both ruled out of the March 3rd 2010 friendly against Holland in the center midfield, it was Torres who started and Edu who relieved as Stu went out wide until he got Nigel DeJonged.
With Stu doing a great job of of moving laterally and linking to passes, the formation that Bob Bradley deployed begs for an overlapping rightback.
With Dolo on his way back to Hannover, who gets that role and what are their pitch instructions?
• Mo’re Edu
It would be a shame if Maurice Edu didn’t get another run out at central defense. I think Edu acquitted himself “fine” for a beginning friendly in that role. (…the Olympics were awhile ago).
His biggest challenge was forgetting he had to be flush and stand-up attackers.
Tim Howard’s break away save was a direct result of a play where Edu gave a through-ball passing lane to the attacker. As a central midfielder, that ball is “somewhat” okay because the central defender cleans it up.
As the central defender making that play? Not so much. Don’t do that.
If I’m Bob Bradley (God forbid), here’s what I’m thinking in trying Edu in the backline: (1) We got beat with speed in the central defense in World Cup 2010, Edu offers that; (2) Edu gives me “one-sub” flexibility, if we’re winning, I can remove an attacker, push up Edu as a defensive midfielder and add in a central defender. If we’re losing I can push Edu up in the attack and take my chances with a 3-man backline; (3) I need a chaser (Cannavaro-type) to pair with whomever my other central defender is be it Onyewu, Gonzalez, Ream, Opara, Marshall or Goodson. I might be able to use Opara as the chaser, but it’s not ideal.
On another note, you’ve got be thinking that Clarence Goodson in camp has got to be like, “What more do I have to do?!”
———-
11 At The Whistle
Let’s go in reverse on this one.
Timmy!
Goalie: Tim Howard organizes again on defense in the 1st half. Brad Guzan gets some time between the wickets come the 2nd.
LB/RB: With the Yanks’ senior bookends back to France and Germany respectively, two “veteran” USMNTers in Heath Pearce and Jonathan Spector. Eric Lichaj gets his first cap in relief.
CBs: Says here that Bob Bradley gets to see how some prior game action and some more practice reps improve the Edu-Gooch partnership. Goodson enters after the break
DEF MIDs: Hey, hey! We’re back to the 4-2-2-2. That’s just ducky. Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley man the central midfield.
LM/RM: Clint Dempsey is your off-side left halfback this time instead of Feilhaber, he’ll be cutting in from the left looking for shots. Your right mid is again Iceman Holden. One caveat, they may flip flop in this one with Holden starting on the left and Dempsey on the right.
STR: Your tandem up top is Eddie Johnson and Jozy Altidore.
If you remember the Czech Republic match, then you saw a similar pairing in Edson Buddle and Eddie Johnson with Buddle being the target forward in the right central forward area.
EJ will sit just a little more central and do that “to the flag-keep that outside defender honest” thing.
Disclaimers:
• If a 4-2-3-1 is employed it sees the same front six to start as Poland.
• A 4-3-2-1 sees Alejandro Bedoya inserted for Feilhaber instead of Eddie Johnson.
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Posted by jwrandolph on 2010/10/11 at 10:21 PM
Great preview.
- I don’t quite understand what your prediction is for the formation? I also agree that a 4-2-3-1 is a good move for us (yanksarecoming had a great piece today on the benefits of continuing this formation), but it seems like you anticipate more of a 4-2-2-2, which would be set up pretty differently.
- I agree on the benefits of giving the Gooch-Edu pairing more reps. I really hope Gooch gets a full 90. Get that man his minutes!
- I also agree on Altidore, although the difference between 4-2-3-1- and 4-2-2-2 would mean he either did or didn’t have a strike partner. Do you think its beneficial to keep employing him as a lone man up top with others coming on in support, or in a pairing with Johnson/Dempsey up top?
- Quick note, in that second chart I think it should say “Jones – Bradley” instead of Edu.
Posted by matthewsf on 2010/10/11 at 10:38 PM
JW — Thanks for the catches — will fix.
I thought it would just be nice to throw in what a 4-2-2-2 looks like — I expect that or a 4-2-3-1.
Posted by jwrandolph on 2010/10/12 at 8:10 AM
A ha! I see. If I think about just getting our best 11 onto the field, it usually ends up looking like a 4-2-2-2 also. I am really hopeful that BB can coach this team into using the 4-2-3-1 well. When it was working well the other day it was certainly a beautiful thing.
I’d love to see something like…
———————-Howard————————
——Lichaj—–Onyewu—–Edu—Pearce——
—————-Holden—–Bradley————
—Jones———Feilhaber——-Dempsey—
——— ———–Altidore ————————
That shifted to this on the attack:
———————-Howard————————
——Lichaj—-–Onyewu—–Edu——
——-—–———Bradley——Pearce———
—Holden———Feilhaber—————
——— Jones—–Altidore ——Dempsey——
- I think it’d be silly to just try Edu in the back just once. He looked better and better as the game went on the other day.
- 90 minutes for Gooch.
- I’m not super familiar with Lichaj or Pearce, but Spector scares me.
- Inexperienced backline supported by two in front leaves us a little more exposed on our wings. Hopefully the outside backs are up to it.
- I want to see where this Holden-Bradley pairing can take us. Lots of good interplay the other day, and it’d be great to see them both have an ON game at the same time.
- This puts a lot of pressure on Benny! up top if he’s in the center, but (despite his sub-par game on the wing the other day) I think he’s up to it. He is a great player and has the potential to be a real impact player in 2014.
- I also think that Jones could excel in that position, but we have so many great central midfielders that I’d love to see us use someone as hardworking as Jones more on the wings.
- Part of me also wants to put Dempsey or Johnson up top as another striker, but that gets us back to a 4-2-2-2, which just doesn’t make as much sense tactically. Get 20 year old Altidore used to playing as a lone striker, because we have about 300 great midfielders and only 5 midfield spots to give them.
My two cents…
Posted by Ryan R. on 2010/10/11 at 10:32 PM
I wonder if Pops is going to start Jones again with all he has on his plate for Schalke and his coming off of injury. If he does, I wouldn’t bank on more than 45 minutes.
Also, can someone explain to me how a big club hasn’t bought Falcao yet? He’s a guy that would do a great job for just about any big club and I spent the entire summer wondering which big club would get smart, but still nothing.
Posted by Connor Walsh on 2010/10/11 at 11:29 PM
Think I’d prefer this:
———————-Howard
Spector—–Goodson—–Onyewu—–Pearce
———-Holden—–Jones—–Bradley
———————-Dempsey
—————-Johnson—–Altidore
Don’t read into the Edu absence, i think he and Jones will split the 90. Along with Lichaj and Shea who I think also get at least a half. Parkhurst and Feilhaber get a run out as well. Bedoya as well prolly gets a half hour again or so.
My only disclaimer is that Brad Guzan goes the full 90.
Posted by jwrandolph on 2010/10/12 at 7:45 AM
I’m really intrigued by this formation. I think it does a lot to get most of our best players on the field, gives Jozy someone to work with, and puts Dempsey in a position where I think he excels. This would also certainly strengthen our defense, with Jones, Bradley, and Stu all very willing and able to do their part in the back. If Bradley is passing well, then I think that this crew can also help us build well out of the back.
That said, while I’d love to see that BB is willing to do something different with MB90, it certainly hasn’t happened yet.
My biggest reservation is that this formation limits our ability to use our width in the final 1/3rd and pinches us in the middle . I thought Jones played great the other day, but I’d love to see the Holden-Bradley pair mature. Damn our dearth of international class midfielders!
Posted by Marc C on 2010/10/12 at 6:02 AM
Boys, I have to disagree on one comment you continue to make regarding the Poland match. I sat in behind the south goal (Jozy’s first half strike) and continued to point out to my buddy how wide Benny and Stu were. They continually hit the touch lines the minute we won possesion of the ball. Now what the team did not do is consistently get the ball wide to them, where there was quite a bit of space. Too often it was a semi-negative ball to the outside back rather than a flat ball with pace to our wide players. So you could say we didn’t play the ball wide but we did have width. Stu was by far the best player on the pitch for us, when he was able to get the ball down the flank he was decisive in his runs with and without the ball. You can tell he has gained confidence and strength over in the EPL.
Posted by matthewsf on 2010/10/12 at 6:14 AM
Interesting Marc.
I viewed on tv. Maybe Stu started wide but he continually received passes between the hash marks.
Ill concede Benny played a little wider, but by my recollection he collected only one pass while overlapping.
Perhaps their starting points were wide, but they certainly didn’t play wide. Hence the intro of Bedoya later on.
Ill be sure to pay even closer attention today and ESPN will have the game on reply too. Thankfully.
Posted by Marc C on 2010/10/12 at 7:42 AM
I think Stu may have not been as wide, but it was due to him being more involved than Benny. I was pretty shocked at their width and I continually brought that point up in the first half. Again, starting wide and not getting the ball there really isn’t beneficial and doesn’t necessarily mean you have good width. So, the initial idea was there but the execution wasn’t which made it look like we had no width. We actually had great seats and a fantastic viewpoint of how they were setup formation-wise in the first half so it was something I tended to notice quite a bit. I’d be curious to see the replay myself and try to pick up on what the cameras didn’t show.
Posted by Jake C. on 2010/10/12 at 6:22 AM
I still don’t see why everyone is getting onboard with the Edu at CB idea. He leaves passing lanes open, and he’s horrendous in the air; a true midfielder for me. My hope is that Bradley is using his closing speed as a failsafe in the event that Gooch makes a slip-up; after BB evaluates Gooch, I want Edu out of that position. It’s too dangerous, and it wastes already available talent in central defense (forget about developing Gonzalez, Ream, or Opara if BB leaves Gooch and Edu in there). Why call both Parkhurst and Goodson into camp?
I agree with you that Spector will start at RB, but he scares me too. I fully expect the defense to concede goals tonight given the style of the opponents and the personnel back there.
Posted by Stuart on 2010/10/12 at 3:48 PM
I’d like to see Edu get some reps at LB or RB, where his aerial deficiencies are minimized and his speed gets better play.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2010/10/12 at 6:38 AM
I am not an expert on the Colombian National Team, but I would have huge reservations playing a 4-3-1-2, as I don’t think it is the best way to deal with attacking full-backs – there’s just too much ‘free’ space in front of them to exploit.. I cannot see Altidore and Johnson tracking back. The 3 DMs in theory should provide great protection for the back four. But I can see the outside-DMs getting pulled across far too easily to track the over-lapping full-backs, leaving just one DM covering and potentially leaving the back four exposed. Will Dempsey recognise this and slot in?
Posted by chazcar2 on 2010/10/12 at 7:33 AM
I am looking forward to your thoughts on a 3 man back line. I keep reading about how a 3-4-3 is an attacking formation. But what if you played it defensively? or as a 3-5-1? I don’t think Bob Bradley will ever move to it, so I guess there isn’t any point considering it.
But to me a four man back line relies on the centeral two to be strong enough to allow the wings to get forward to provide our attacking width. I just don’t forsee the defense being strong enough to support that in 2014 against the really premier sides.
Posted by scweeb on 2010/10/12 at 9:38 AM
Really hoping we get to see dempsey and edie together! I think those two have worked allot together this year at fulham and hopefully that cane come across if dempsey is out left and eddie and jozy up top!
Posted by FutbolAmerica on 2010/10/12 at 10:22 AM
“The lack of depth in the player pool is no secret. Can you name another player you would lay your money on for 2014 to start right now?”
I honestly can’t name one person to start, but I think that the lack of depth has been created by short-sightedness by the current US soccer coaching staff when looking at players. Especially with the beginning of a new cycle there is a lot of players who could be given a chance to come in and prove themselves.
Mike Grella (Leeds United) is one player who I think is deserving of a callup as much as any other player who’s getting minimal playing time at first or second tier clubs. Chris Rolfe (Aalborg), Kenny Cooper (1860 Munich), and Marcus Tracy (Aalborg) will be waiting in the wings as well if they can get sufficient playing time and up their game. There’s also a few wild cards such as Cody Arnoux who was good enough to be signed by Everton after a trial and is still relatively young, we’ll see how it plays out in Vancouver for him in the coming season. Charlie Davies, Robbie Findley, and Edson Buddle are all potentials for the coming cycle as well.
So I don’t think the depth is as short as they say it is. It’s going to be an interesting run-up to the Gold Cup next year to see who is performing and who is not to see how the striker position pans out. I’d like to see some of the lesser knowns get a call up to ‘camp cupcake’ to see how they perform in the national team setting.
Posted by matthewsf on 2010/10/12 at 10:28 AM
I can understand your point FutbolAmerica — but I don’t think the USSF call-ups or lackthereof are outrageous.
In terms of the 30 for World Cup 2010, we questioned not looking at Lichaj or Grella.
However, Grella hasn’t been playing one iota yet this year and Rolfe, Tracy and Cooper haven’t been even near full fitness in months.
Cody Arnoux flamed out tremendously at Everton and was lucky as I understand to get that Vancouver spot.
Don’t think you can really fault Bob Bradley here….yet.
Posted by FutbolAmerica on 2010/10/12 at 10:44 AM
Which begs the question though, do you think players like Arnoux, Rolfe, and even Freddy Adu or Kenny Cooper should have stayed in an inferior league such as MLS instead of going against better competition day-in day-out at practice in a better league?
The same arguement goes for Jozy Altidore at Villareal. Is he going to be a better player in the long run playing all the time for a lesser team, or will practicing with Rossi and Co make him a better player even with the decreased playing time in La Liga and the Europa League? It’s a tough call and only time will tell, but it’s something that has to be considered looking at their respective situations.
And point taken on Mike Grella, it hurt when they brought in another striker to replace Beckford when they were promoted. Can’t say I really blame them though as they wanted to make sure they were competitive in the Championship.
Do you think Edson Buddle and Robbie Findley would have been called into camp if they were available for selection?
Posted by John on 2010/10/12 at 11:04 AM
Note that I just re-wrote a comment about Jozy Altidore and the forward situation about 15 times and was flustered enough to decide not to post anything.
Posted by Sam on 2010/10/12 at 11:11 AM
I don’t see why we don’t put Mo as an outside back and but Goodson at center.
Goodson’s team play makes him apt to not get lost in midfield chaos. Edu’s obviously athletic or athtletic-er enough to play RB or LB… Just thinking back to the Johnny Spector “lost run” in the USA vs. Turkey game it makes sense.
That’s where I put him when I play FIFA anyway…
Which, we all know that is the most comprehensive strategy evaluation simulation known to man
Posted by Chad on 2010/10/12 at 12:11 PM
Tech Dummy question: Are these comment boxes the only way to contact TSG? Might be nice to have the Talented Mr. TSG do a combo game summary after tonight’s action and compare and contrast US – Colombia and Mex. – Venezuela.
Posted by matthewsf on 2010/10/12 at 12:14 PM
I’m watching this site like Google watches you when you leave your house (or are on the computer).
You can always reach us at shinguardian@gmail.com or via twitter.
Normally we’re up for spontaneous ideas, especially TSG reader ideas.
However this evening, we’re trying to balance babysitting the newborn, making it to our soccer game and watching the United States play, so I will have to beg out this evening. But if you have a suggestion just keep sending thiem.
Don’t be offended if we don’t get back immediately; we try to get back to everyone but we’re getting a ton of mail these days (65% of it spam from Fox Soccer or some soccer company…just saying).
Posted by John on 2010/10/12 at 12:36 PM
That 65% spam has to be down from earlier peaks now that you no longer get Landon Donovan’s missives to sign the petition.
Posted by matthewsf on 2010/10/12 at 12:45 PM
That has been replaced with someone putting my email on some MLSSoccer.com masterlist — which I don’t wholly fault or have too trouble with mind you….
Posted by zlionsfan on 2010/10/12 at 12:29 PM
small correction: it’s Rodallega. Wigan players are so infrequently mentioned with respect to international matches that I always pay extra attention when I see one.
Posted by matthewsf on 2010/10/12 at 12:32 PM
Thanks for the catch. We were Russian…(rushing) last evening. Love Rodallega (spl? :>)…starved of service at Wigan.
Posted by Orange Slices: USA vs. Colombia « The Shin Guardian on 2010/10/12 at 12:42 PM
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