The U.S. mens national team will open a new year and new four-year World Cup cycle tonight when the Americans take on Chile at Home Depot Center (10pm, Telefutura/ESPN3.com).
Bob Bradley will be fielding a young squad against a Chile side made up of domestic league players. The match should offer a good test to some of the defensive newcomers on the U.S. roster, while also showcasing many of the exciting new attacking players in the current U.S. camp.
I will be providing a live commentary on tonights match so be sure to follow along.
For now, share your pre-game thoughts, and check outa look at potential lineups, as well as the latest video preview from the folks at USSoccer.com.(Ill update periodically right up until game-time):
PRE-GAME- Im about to launch the Match Night Commentary, so be sure to move on over to SBIs live match night coverage when it launches (and we close this post down). (THE MATCH COMMENTARY POST IS NOW LIVE).
PRE-GAME- Lineup should be out soon. Heres the lineup Id like to see (in a 4-3-3):
-Bunbury
AgudeloBedoya
Diskerud
-Larentowicz-McCarty
De La Garza-ReamGonzalezFranklin
Rimando-
PRE-GAME- Here is the full USA match-day roster:
Goalkeepers- 1-Sean Johnson 18-Nick Rimando
Defenders- 6-A.J. DeLaGarza 4-Omar Gonzalez 12-Zach Loyd 15-Sean Franklin 5-Tim Ream 3-Anthony Wallace 2-Marvell Wynne
Midfielders- 19-Eric Alexander 7-Alejandro Bedoya 16-Mixx Diskerud 8-Jeff Larentowicz 10-Dax McCarty 14-Brek Shea
Forwards- 17-Juan Agudelo 9-Teal Bunbury 11-Chris Wondolowski
PRE-GAME- Im sure some folks are a bit disappointed that Eugene Starikov didnt make the match roster but considering how new he is to the U.S. national team set-up (not even on the youth level) it shouldnt be a surprise.
PRE-GAME- As a reminder, well be having a live commentary on tonights match. Seems like there are about a thousand live commentaries on the web tonight for USA-Chile, but Ill recommend SBIs as the one youre going to want to follow.
PRE-GAME- Apologies for having Franklin on the players not dressing list earlier. I thought he would start this game so that seemed a bit surprising. Hes in and I think he could start.
PRE-GAME- The players who wont dress for tonights match are Dom Cervi, Matt Pickens, Ryan Miller, Sam Cronin, Eugene Starikov.
Not that surprised about Sean Johnson, but its a great step for a talented young goalkeeper. Im betting a lot of teams are kicking themselves for passing on him in the 2010 MLS Draft.
PRE-GAME- If I were a betting man, and I am, I would bet against a straight 4-4-2. I think a 4-2-3-1 is more likely, or perhaps a straight 4-3-3.
Lets talk defenders. I wonder if well see Marvell Wynne. He enjoyed a good season for Colorado at centerback, but I dont see him being an international centerback. Does Bradley give him a run at right back?
Bigger question. Which of the natural right backs starts at left back tonight? I dont think Anthony Wallace, the lone natural left back, will get the call. So will it be Sean Frankline, Zach Loyd or perhaps A.J. De La Garza?
PRE-GAME- No word on which players arent dressing tonight yet, but its a safe bet two of them will be goalkeepers. Ill post as soon as the info is released.
PRE-GAME- Since formations and lineups are always fun to consider, heres another lineup idea, in A 4-3-3 formation:
-Bunbury
SheaAgudelo
Bedoya
-Larentowicz-McCarty
Franklin-ReamGonzalezDe La Garza
Rimando-
Okay, so maybe a 4-3-3 against a Chile team that could run out a 3-4-3 might not be ideal, but it would sure be fun to watch. Also remember that Bradley used a 4-3-3 against Colombia, at least thats what he called it. Brek Shea didnt get forward nearly enough for it to be a true 4-3-3.
PRE-GAME-So what lineup might we see tonight: So many possibilities. Here are a few:
4-2-3-1
Bunbury-
AgudeloDiskerud-Bedoya
-Larentowicz-McCarty
Franklin-ReamGonzalezDe La Garza
Rimando-
If Bradley chooses a standard 4-4-2, we could see this:
Bunbury-Agudelo-
Shea-Bedoya
-Larentowicz-McCarty
Franklin-ReamGonzalezDe La Garza
Rimando-
If Bradley decides to sit Agudelo and slow down the hype machine:
Bunbury-
SheaDiskerud-Bedoya
-Larentowicz-McCarty
Franklin-ReamGonzalezDe La Garza
Rimando-
If Bradley decides to bring young standouts Agudelo and Mikkel Diskerud off the bench:
BunburyWondolowski
Shea-Bedoya
-Larentowicz-McCarty
Franklin-ReamGonzalezDe La Garza
Rimando-
Yes, we keep the same back four, but not because its a lock. The idea of having three Galaxy defenders wouldnt be that surprising, but Marveil Wynne and Ryan Miller could definitely crash the party. At this point it definitely seems like a Ream-Gonzalez pairing in central defense is a safe bet.In goal, it should be Rimando.
Some other thoughts. Brek Shea was pretty abysmal in his national team debut against Colombia, but I think he could get another run-out on the left tonight.
Heres a video preview on the match from U.S. Soccer:
Remember to share your pre-game thoughts on tonights match in the comments section below.
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