Quote Originally Posted by Lyle View Post
I know Dempsey isn't a box to box player but the best case scenario is that a player that uses speed and pressure pairs with Jozy in order to lay the ball off to him so he can take a crack at goal OR someone Jozy can feed on a run. Dempsey is creative and can score but I think on the whole it makes us a slower attacking team AND we need someone to control the ball through the midfield and really Donovan is the only guy to be consistent with that so it's probably best for Dempsey and Donovan to stay put and for us to utilize another striker for the first half and then move Dempsey up to striker and bring on Fielhaber...that's what we had the most success with in the Confed Cup.

Jozy isn't going to move anywhere no matter what Bradley decides to do, he has the ability to score goals and he's strong. Adu and Rodgers add speed AND creativity with the ball, I think either of them have the potential(in the future) to add more to our attack than Charlie Davies. Cooper gives us some ball control and the ability to use set pieces more effectively. With Cooper in the game we could also use the long ball more and maybe that allows for Donovan and Dempsey to shake their markers and get better runs on the goal.

I think DeMarcus Beasley COULD add to the squad but his play on the national team had been deteriorating even before that disaster vs Brazil. If anyone is going to earn their way back on the team I think Eddie Johnson has the best shot at it, if he is fit and plays up to his potential he's a VERY solid option at striker.
Wow...Eddie Johnson...Cooper....I would rather play Michael Bradley at forward. Anything but those two. I'd rather role the dice with Rogers or Findley. At least those players have upside.

Dempsey isn't a "control the midfield" type of player. He's a slash, attack, cross, beat a guy one one one type of player.

A lot depends on the health of Jermaine Jones and Edu. If both those players are fit and can gel with the team, I suspect they will both start and play central holding roles. I also wouldn't count out Michael Bradley in a central mid role. Those two healthy, flanked by Landon and Beasley, would go a long way to helping control possession in the midfield.

Honestly, I don't think it will be the Confed lineup out there. Don't forget that DMB, when fit, has been one of the better players for the USMNT.

Don't be surprised if we see this:

---------------Jozy----Deuce---------------
--Landon-----------------------------DMB--
---------------Jones----Edu-----------------
--Boca--------JD-------Gooch-------Dolo--