FOOTBALL FORMATIONS

About this formation

As we all know, the United States biggest problem is their shady defense. However, that problem is eclipsed by the fact that we can't score if we us a lone striker. Jozy Altidore, Teal Bunbury, and Juan Agudelo are all too slow and lack the technical ability to be effective as strikers, alone that is. That being said, both Jose Torres and Michael Bradley have proven to be good distributors for crafty runs, the roles that Dempsey and Donovan can fill due to their ample experience in the quick paced football that Europe provides. Often times we are caught being lazy in our back four, particularly on the wings, which I attribute to the fact that our wing backs often move forward and attack the flanks. It's hard to recover full field several times during the game. Shea and Gatt, though both have little international experience, are true wingers and are naturally quick in their pace and strong technically, therefore are ideal candidates for left and right midfield, respectively. Their quick natured attacking skills will allow the wing backs to focus more on their positioning, rather than their attacking. Bocanegra, USA's go to center-back, and Gooch make for a strong duo in the center, both having much international experience and complimenting each other with Bocanegra's tactical skills, and Gooch's physicality. Assuming that's not enough, Bradley serves as the Defensive Midfielder/Stopper to put another body in front of goal.