ASN: United States vs. Nigeria Want Listing: 13 Fast Takes

We requested 13 soccer pundits to inform us what they wish to see from the U.S. nationwide crew in its remaining Ship-Off Sequence match towards Nigeria—and we requested them to do it in 100 phrases or much less.

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Posted
June 06, 2014
5:58 PM

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Brian McBride, former U.S. nationwide crew participant
I am focused on seeing continued enchancment. Enchancment from the primary sport to the second was evident, particularly going ahead. Attacking-wise, there was some actually great things. Jozy and Clint particularly—one would drop deep, the opposite would keep excessive, frequently shifting Turkey’s again 4. This sport is about solidifying the again. The one concern for me is the spacing between the surface backs and the middle backs. On either side, it is advisable guarantee that again 4 is buttoned up.
Brian McBride will meet followers and signal autographs on Saturday exterior Everbank Discipline on the Allstate Fan Zone.

John Godfrey, ASN editor in chief
The time to experiment has come and gone—we have to see the first-choice squad Saturday. If meaning Fabian Johnson performs proper again and Timothy Chandler is on the left—ugh!—then so be it. If meaning Aron Johannsson is relegated to the bench for Brazil—noooooooooo!—then do it, Jurgen. I additionally wish to see some defensive self-discipline towards Nigeria. Turkey got here so shut so many instances at Pink Bull Enviornment that it might have a confidence-crushing lopsided defeat. Buck up, backline!

Simon Borg, MLSsoccer.com author
Klinsmann and the gamers sounded insecure and unconvinced after their win vs. Turkey. Nearly as if they’d come to the belief that the tactical gamble of switching to a diamond had failed. Greater than anything, the U.S. nationwide crew and its diamond desperately want an injection of confidence that might solely come from a stellar efficiency towards Nigeria. With out that optimistic reinforcement heading to Brazil, there’s an opportunity their World Cup may very well be over (of their heads) earlier than it ever begins.

Mark Fishkin, Host, Seeing Pink podcast
For the ultimate Ship-Off Sequence match, Klinsmann should decide on a again 4 to be able to construct chemistry. I used to be unconvinced that Timothy Chandler is the answer, so I’d play Fab Johnson-Gonzalez-Besler-Cameron within the again. Bedoya and Zusi on the wings, Jones and Bradley within the heart, and Dempsey and Jozy up prime. Search for Beckerman to spell Jones, Aron Bacon to sub for Jozy, and Brad Davis for Bedoya. Tomorrow will put a premium on pace, so luck for Fab to proceed his overlapping runs and Jozy to carry and create for Deuce. That is it!

Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com soccer author
I used to be at Nigeria’s sport towards Greece on Tuesday to do some advance scouting. From what I noticed of the Tremendous Eagles, they created probabilities from enjoying quick and direct, however they fired nearly each shot six ft vast or excessive. So I can see Saturday’s sport unfolding very like Turkey’s, the place we predict the U.S. again line will get let off the hook just a few instances. It’s a sport the U.S. ought to win. However I can’t say that about Ghana, which is a significantly better crew than Nigeria. So we’ll see what sort of take a look at Saturday night time actually is.

Dan Levy, Nationwide Lead Author, Bleacher Report
I wish to see how Klinsmann handles the Timothy Chandler scenario, and who he places in entrance of Chandler can have loads to do with that. If the left again is allowed to freelance as a lot as Chandler did towards Turkey, it places an excessive amount of stress on the centerback—specifically, Matt Besler—to have a midfielder on that aspect who is not staying house. Davis and Chandler proved a nasty combine from the beginning, and Inexperienced actually is not serving to Chandler cowl. Can Bedoya? Or is Beasley the higher possibility in Brazil, regardless of his limitations on the offensive finish.

Blake Thomsen, ASN contributing editor
At this level, I am much less involved about particular person participant performances than I’m about seeing a presentable formation. Positive, it would be nice to see Jozy rating and Besler work out the kinks. However the focus must be on establishing a crew that has an opportunity towards three high-octane assaults. Which means it is time to scrap the diamond experiment—a return to the trusty 4-2-3-1 could be very a lot so as. Oh, and no accidents please. Marco Reus’ ugly twisted ankle serves as a harsh reminder of crucial a part of these friendlies—staying wholesome.

Daryl Grove, Host, Whole Soccer Present; ASN contributorI wish to see the diamond once more, as a result of we’d like the follow. I wish to see THE again 4, which means (proper to left) Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley, and I will be watching how properly DMB retains up with Victor Moses on that wing. I wish to see a little bit experiment with Beckerman again on the base of the diamond, Bradley on the tip, Zusi and Jones on the edges, to see if we are able to get Jones and Beckerman in the identical crew. Lastly, I wish to see Jozy rating—in order that I can sleep at night time.p>

Matt Swift, ASN social media director
Time for the Klinsmann shenanigans and tinkering to cease and for the U.S. to get right down to brass tacks. Let’s roll with Bedoya/Beasley on the left, Zusi/Johnson on the suitable, and provides Jozy a half to behave like anyone. If Jozy isn’t as much as scratch, park him on the bench and provides the IceMan a shot. Let’s see if this diamond can shine towards a quick Nigeria squad. If not, let’s pawn it for one thing extra real looking. All I’m on the lookout for towards Nigeria is a decided, cohesive squad that appears like they belong on the World Cup.

Daniel Karell, contributor, Soccer by Ives
I am trying to see Jurgen Klinsmann choose his greatest XI to play towards Nigeria on Saturday night time. I am anticipating to see Fabian Johnson keep at RB, DaMarcus Beasley again on the left, and the U.S. once more play a 4-4-2 diamond, with Zusi and Bedoya because the wingers. I’m anticipating a giant night time from Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley to dominate in the midst of the park towards John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi.

Noah Davis, ASN deputy editor
Appear like a crew that may compete on the World Cup. Azerbaijan and Turkey had been constructing blocks; the sport towards Nigeria is, too, however Jurgen Klinsmann has mentioned that he picked Saturday’s opponent particularly for the likeness to Ghana. I might prefer to see the backline lock down the Nigerian assault, the midfield—particularly Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones—impose its will on the proceedings, and the assault (hey, Jozy Altidore) generate some probabilities and put these probabilities away. We’re getting fairly near not-effing-around time, so let’s cease effing round. (Additionally, one other sick Fabian Johnson volley could be welcome.)

J. Pat Miller, WTMJ-AM – WLWK (FM) in Milwaukee
Can Jozy be harmful across the aim? He was so scorching throughout qualification, scoring streak and all, after which he went ice chilly abroad. If Jozy may even turn out to be a shadow of his potential then the whole lot else might fall in line. Query: When you needed to guess the home on Jozy’s World Cup scoring complete would you go over/below ONE?

Josh Deaver, ASN contributor
Somewhat than specializing in particular gamers or formations, the Individuals want just one factor towards Nigeria on Saturday: consistency. In its remaining match earlier than departing to Brazil, an entire 90-minute efficiency with a decided defensive effort, dynamic midfield motion and ending up entrance could be much more encouraging than the substandard and, finally, disjointed wins towards Azerbaijan and Turkey. Personnel smart, count on Klinsmann to take care of latest establishment with the lineup. Nonetheless, given that is the final likelihood to experiment; can we see 90 minutes of Aron Johannsson simply as soon as? Oh yeah, and no accidents.

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