Nutmeg Radio

Last night in Hartford, Connecticut, the U.S. Men’s National Team lost 4-2 in a friendly World Cup warm up match against the Czech Republic.  Nothing particularly friendly happened on the pitch.  In fact, the match had the familiar unfriendly feel of non-friendly U.S. matches.

The U.S. fielded a largely second string side leaving out probable starters Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra and Michael Bradley, giving Bob Bradley and U.S. fans an opportunity to learn more about players on the cusp of the World Cup squad.  This is what we learned:

• The U.S. still has one way to play:  In a 4-4-2, the U.S. currently has two dynamic , central players with the ability to create with the pass, Benny Feilhaber and José Torres.  Last night, Torres got the start, displaying some nice touches and glimpses of vision that is often lacking out of our midfield.  This would be a great option if we knew how to use them properly.

In our conventional system, the U.S. likes to play with two relatively defensive, central midfielders.  Chances are that against England on June 12, those two central miidfielders will be Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu. In our 4-4-2, our outside midfielders are responsible for attacking, creating, and helping out defensively.  Landon Donovan, and one of Stuart Holden, DaMarcus Beasley or Clint Dempsey will occupy the outside midfielder roles.  This system generally gives us two attacking options: 1)  Counterattacking from the wings; and 2) Hoofing the ball up to a forward, hoping that the receiving forward can control the ball and play in the supporting midfielders, or alternatively, if it’s Jozy Altidore, beat the defender with pace.  All of this typically relegates the roll of our two central midfielders to defensive duties, especially considering neither Bradley nor Edu are dynamic enough to quickly turn in traffic and play in probing balls to the forwards or wingers.  Given the predictability of this style of play, good teams will close down the wings and make our backs and central midfielders beat them.  We’ve seen over the years how frustrating it can be when our two attacking options aren’t working.  When we need a goal, we need to be able to add another option.

But here’s the problem. Even when we introduce a Torres or Feilhaber, we often still play as if we’re playing with two relatively defensive midfielders, often bypassing creative players who have a better eye for penetrating balls.  It’s as if the U.S. hasn’t thought through how to change the tempo or play to the strengths of a a varied set of midfielders.  It’s a problem that could come to haunt us in South Africa, not if, but when Plan 1 isn’t working.  Players like Feilhaber and Torres have the ability to use Donovan and Altidore in slightly different ways than we’re used to seeing them, where the responsibility of creating and attacking doesn’t fully fall on their shoulders.  Sometimes, you need to give the creative responsibility to others to unleash the attacking ability of attacking players.

• Herculez, Herculez, Herculez (clapping):  In my book, Herculez Gomez should definitely go to South Africa.  In fact, in the remaining friendlies (assuming he makes the cut), it will be interesting to see whether Herc’s can develop a rapport of some worth with Altidore.  Last night, he at least did enough to bypass Eddie Johnson on the depth chart.

The reason why Gomez should make it is simple.  He has the momentum, and in tournament play, momentum matters.  Furthermore, Gomez had a half to make his case, and he did what you want your forwards to do — score.  Given years in and out of the U.S. side, Eddie Johnson has consistently underwhelmed.  Now is the time to transition to a player who lead the Mexican League in scoring and just showed that he’ll work just as hard for the national team.  Oh yeah, and I’ll say it again, he scored last night in his only real opportunity to shine.  He took his chance and  that matters.

For what it’s worth, I’d also take Edson Buddle, sacrificing a midfielder.  Yesterday, Buddle showed a tremendous work rate, outshining his first half partner, Eddie Johnson.  But that’s not the only reason why I’d select him.  Removing Johnson from the equation, if you take a look at the remaining forwards (Altidore, Gomez, Ching, and throw Dempsey in), Buddle has the power and pace to replace Altidore’s pace, power and workrate, which is essential in not only getting behind defenses, but also in pressuring defenders.  It would be a mistake, again, given his form and his rapid rise, to pull the cord now.  Not now.  His pace and power will come in handy.

• Proposed Final U.S. World Cup team: So here’s my final 23 who should go to South Africa:

Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann

Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Oguchi Onyewu (if healthy), Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein

Midfielders (8): Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, DaMarcus Beasley, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Torres, Ricardo Clark

Forwards (5): Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez, Brian Ching, Edson Buddle

The U.S. needs the option of different looks up top.  If you include Dempsey in the midfield list, we clearly have enough bodies to compensate for poor performances or injures in the midfield.  At forward, however, adding an extra body adds more than adding an extra midfielder.