Formations really really really don't matter as much as some people are making them matter. Obviously a 1-1-8 is a bad idea. That's not the point. Formations have a place. However, it's all about two things: (1) Who are the players? (2) How the players play in those formations.
At this particular moment in time, the US men's team is not putting as many offensive-minded players on the field. All the players are athletic studs. There's no questioning that. It's the lack of offensive-minded, possession-oriented players. Call it coaching. Call it culture. It's just not there...At this juncture.
Solution
This lineup is based on chemistry between players that has been lacking on offense, players who can possess the ball with style, offensive-minded talent, skillful talent which can accomplish the mainstream expectations of possession, while providing something interesting on the side; with a firm defensive line of advanced ball handlers who can guide possession for ninety minutes, and, more importantly, who can join the attack as "Queens on the chess board." A salient component to the American game which has been nil and void for too long.*
Coaching needs to take a risk, and field this lineup, as a fixed lineup through good or bad:
Wood Adu
Nguyen
Nagbe Torres Pulisic
Shea Bradley Ream Yedlin
Guzan
Time for a coaching change?
Head Coach:
Anson Dorrance
Defensive Coordinator:
John Trask
*This is for "right now." Mind you, similar issues have held the team back in the past. Cameron, a good central defender with skill, as well as Besler, could easily be interchangeable with Ream. (Ream is the best for the position, considering the boat US soccer has missed for years: Central defenders must have advanced skill in possession, with the ability to join the attack, ala Beckenbauer.) Furthermore, the same could be said concerning Bradley as a central defender. As a central midfielder, Bradley has been the "Brett Favre" starter for over nine years now. Times change. Things need to change.
At this particular moment in time, the US men's team is not putting as many offensive-minded players on the field. All the players are athletic studs. There's no questioning that. It's the lack of offensive-minded, possession-oriented players. Call it coaching. Call it culture. It's just not there...At this juncture.
Solution
This lineup is based on chemistry between players that has been lacking on offense, players who can possess the ball with style, offensive-minded talent, skillful talent which can accomplish the mainstream expectations of possession, while providing something interesting on the side; with a firm defensive line of advanced ball handlers who can guide possession for ninety minutes, and, more importantly, who can join the attack as "Queens on the chess board." A salient component to the American game which has been nil and void for too long.*
Coaching needs to take a risk, and field this lineup, as a fixed lineup through good or bad:
Wood Adu
Nguyen
Nagbe Torres Pulisic
Shea Bradley Ream Yedlin
Guzan
Time for a coaching change?
Head Coach:
Anson Dorrance
Defensive Coordinator:
John Trask
*This is for "right now." Mind you, similar issues have held the team back in the past. Cameron, a good central defender with skill, as well as Besler, could easily be interchangeable with Ream. (Ream is the best for the position, considering the boat US soccer has missed for years: Central defenders must have advanced skill in possession, with the ability to join the attack, ala Beckenbauer.) Furthermore, the same could be said concerning Bradley as a central defender. As a central midfielder, Bradley has been the "Brett Favre" starter for over nine years now. Times change. Things need to change.
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