FIFA 2010 World Cup Preview: US Midfield, Part II—Offense or Defense?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 12, 2010

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In Part I of the US Midfield, I focused on the three locks to start every game for the US (barring injury)—Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, and Landon Donovan.

While Bradley should start in the center of midfield with no exceptions, Donovan and Dempsey both provide versatility that gives Coach Bradley a variety of options for his lineup sheet.

Clint can play up top, as can Landon; both can also play in the middle or on either wing. Coach Bradley has mostly used Clint and Landon on the left and right sides, respectively, of a 4-4-2 midfield, but the dearth of depth at forward and the surplus of midfield talent could see Clint slide into the forward spot or Landon to a removed striker role.

If that’s the case, there are many choices Bradley could call on to fill the vacated midfield slot. The strength of this team is the midfield, not only thanks to the Big Three, but also in part to the supporting cast, all of whom could step on the field and get the job done if called upon.

Let’s take a look at the options to fill that fourth, or possibly fifth, midfield slot.

 

Ricardo Clark

If we’re going on Bradley’s consistent decision-making—and it’s safe to say we can bank on that—Ricardo Clark will start in the center of midfield against England.

Whether or not you or I agree with that call, in all likelihood, it’s going to happen. I won’t lament the decision, as I normally have in past columns.

Rather, I’ll support it.

As I previewed in Part I, I expect Bradley to play Michael and Rico very deep, with Rico’s job being entirely to clog up the middle of the English attack, forcing the ball wide. With Bocanegra at one back and Spector/Cherundolo (probably the latter) on the other, Bob feels he has experienced, smart fullbacks who can take on the English wingers. If h...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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