USA vs Poland Preview

Finally, International football is back for a bit. Well not really just this next week but I'm still going through the "World Cup Hangover" so I'm excited about this fixture.

After US Soccer's long coaching carousel, Bob Bradley kept his job for another 4 years. More news came out about what went down mostly having to do with a man with the initials of JK but we won't get into that. As all those developments made me very hungry for this game.

So now about the game, Bob Bradley has called up a mostly Euro based roster due to the MLS Playoffs. The likes of Donovan, Buddle, and Wondolowski were all left out due to the Playoffs. The only 2 MLS players on the roster (Brek Shea, and Heath Pearce) will not play against Poland and will only be available for the Colombia friendly.

There is one person who every single US Soccer fan has been dying to see play for their national team and that would be Jermaine Jones. I don't have time to go over his story, look it up it's really quite something. I think he is the player who the US has needed for some time, a real fiery competitor who can lift a team as well as make all the plays in the central midfield. He has a chip on his shoulder so my bold prediction is that he will become a huge fan favorite for all USA fans and his style of play will change the way the center midfield position is played here in the States for years to come.

Other players with large intrigue include the Aston Villa youth product Eric Lichaj who has yet to make a league appearance for Villa, however he has been on the verge since the start of the season. The 21 year old is someone who people think can finally cover the USA's most difficult position... left back. It will be interesting to see if Coach Bob the Builder will try to get Lichaj into that position as soon as possible.

The rest of the roster includes mostly the usual suspects, our midfield group is our strongest group which has started up some whispers that Bradley will change his formation (don't count on it) instead of going with the 4-4-2.

If you've read any of my posts you will know I have never been a fan of the 4-4-2 as it is an outdated system that should only be used when you are trying to grind out results. Like on the road in Qualifying for example. Well this isn't a WCQ this is a friendly and really the result doesn't matter it's time to try something new and get the team ready for the Gold Cup next June.

Poland is a team in rebuilding mode after failing to qualify for the World Cup last cycle. None of their players really catch your eye but they do have some players from some decent teams in the Bundesliga most notable is the young Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski the 22 year old is very comparable to Jozy Altidore, not in terms of style but in terms of rising stardom in their respective countries. Guys like Oguchi Oneywu and Clarence Goodsen will need to keep an eye on this young man. One man I recognized immediatley was former Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc who just left Celtic to head to the Serie A club Fiorentina. Boruc is a typical solid Eastern European goalkeeper so beating him will be very difficult.

Now to talk about formations, I will first project what formation coach Bob Bradley will use on Saturday...
Coach Bob
Howard
Cherundolo Oneywu Bocanegra Spector
Bedoya Bradley Jones Holden
Altidore Dempsey

With this formation, it's your classic 4-4-2, you have a target striker (Jozy) with a sort of center forward type player (Dempsey). If the Yanks come out with this formation expect Dempsey to play under Altidore a bit, a lot like how Dempsey plays for Fulham. I honestly don't like that Bedoya has to track back and defend which is why I immediately have a problem with Bedoya being used as a hardworking midfielder (for evidence look at the Brazil game). I think this formation could still be used to perfection against the Pols due to the fact that the Pols don't really have the midfield presence to carve up the US but make no mistake about it this formation is the wrong formation going forward.

Super Subs: Eddie Johnson, Benny Feilhaber, and maybe Maurice Edu but I wouldn't call him a super sub.

Now for my formation:
Howard
Spector Oneywu Goodsen Lichaj
Bradley Jones
Bedoya Dempsey Holden
Altidore
Yes here it is again, the formation I have fallen in love with. I may switch Bedoya with Feilhaber due to who does better in training. In this formation you have Jones and Bradley holding the midfield playing a lot like Xabi Alonso would when he plays for Spain. I switched out the old guys (Cherundolo, and Bocanegra) only because I want to immediately start to move on from last cycle. However, we all know Boca will be on the field because he is the captain. Stuart Holden will be playing in a position where he doesn't have to track back but instead receive the ball and whip in crosses from that side of the field. While at Bolton, he's been playing in the central midfield and really used as a hardworking midfielder. Bedoya won't have to track back and will be in a position where I think he is most comfortable. The one question is whether or not Altidore will be effective as a lone striker. That's the only real question mark I have. Dempsey must be the focal point in the attack for this formation to work.

Super Subs: Eddie Johnson, Benny Feilhaber, Steve Cherundolo

Prediction: 2-0 USA
I think the US could face trouble at times but I think the strong midfield group will lead the day for the Yanks. I think Jermaine Jones will have a very good debut and I think Stuart Holden will be the one who makes his case to be a full time regular with the Nats.

Goals: (Bedoya, Dempsey)