Pondering Formations W/O Charlie Davies

Charlie Davies is back in France training with his club Sochaux, but if he is not in full game fitness for South Africa who does BB put next to Jozy Altidore in his 4-4-2. I propose that Bradley switch to 4-3-1-2. In the formation you would have a trio of Edu, Bradley, and Clark holding down the midfield. With Clark and Edu playing more defensive midfield roles and Bradley playing a play making role in the midfield playing balls to the forwards. This would place Donovan in a central playmaking role running in behind the striker pairing of Dempsey and Altidore. This formation would place Bradley ,Edu and Clark in roles that would see them thrive as ball winners. A counter attack of Dempsey, Donovan, Jozy would put the US's top 3 skill players all on the counter attack. Also by placing Dempsey up top alongside Jozy, you would eliminate Dempsey's defensive defficiences.

However, if Davies is healthy in time for South Africa he would have to be included in the starting XI, at the expense of either Clark or Edu. And a switch back to the more conventional 4-4-2 with Dempsey and Donovan switching to the wings.

Netherlands Preview

The USA will take on the Flying Dutchmen tomorrow at 2:30 PM (EST) in Amsterdam on ESPN2 and ESPN 360.

WTWF Strikers: Look to see how Jozy is playing, he been playing well at Hull, but not tearing it up. I think Findley will start because of what he showed last week against El Salvador. Eddie Johnson who has played fairly well in Greece will probably play in an attempt to impress BB.

WTWF Midfield: Edu who scored in the Old Firm over the weekend now gets a chance to impress BB, he has a chance to step-up because of Ricardo Clark's injury. Demarcus Beasley can try to start a fresh slate, after his performance in the Confederations Cup.

WTWF Defense: Heath Pearce, Clarence Goodson, and Jonathan Bornstein all have a chance to build upon there performances last week. Simek seems to be a strange call-up.

4-4-2

GK: Howard

DF: Pearce, Goodson, Demerit, Spector

MF: Beasley, Edu, Bradley, Donovan

ST: Findley, Altidore

I think the US will tie 2-2 jumping out to an early lead then relinquishing the lead late, goals scored by Altidore and Donovan.

Weekend Recap

Rangers vs. Celtic: Maurice Edu, fresh off being named to the Netherlands game, was subbed in at the 26th minute for Rangers and eventually scored the game winner in stoppage time. Damarcus Beasley was on the bench. (1-0)

Everton vs. Tottenham: Landon Donovon missed an open net and Tim Howard let in two goals as Everton fell 2-1 at Tottneham.

Bolton vs. Wolves: Stuart Holden started and played the whole 90 in Bolton's 1-0 victory over Marcus Hanhemann and Wolves.

Newcastle vs. Watford: Jay Demerit played the entire game as his Watford side fell 2-1 to Newcastle at home.

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United: Brad Friedal started for Villa in the net and let in two goals as the villians lost the League Cup Final to the Red Devils.

Montepellier vs. Rennes: Carlos Bocanegra started and finished for Rennes as they lost 3-1.

Weekend Recap 2/21/10

Landon Donovan (Everton FC): Played the entire 90 miuntes in Everton's 3-1 win at home over Manchester United. He had 3 shots on goal and the match seemed to turn when he moved in to play a more central role when Dan Gosling came on in the 70th minute.

Tim Howard(Everton FC): Let in one goal versus Manchester United, but was rarely tested throughout the match as the Red Devils could only place 2 shots on net.

Freddy Adu(Aris Salonika): Started for the Greek side, but couldn't maintain his form of 2 goals as he was subbed out in the 46th minute as Aris fell to AEK Athens 1-0.

Jozy Altidore (Hull City)- Was subbed on in the 65th minute in City's 3-0 loss to West Ham United in the Premier League, he recorded two shots that were both off target.

Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach)- Started and finished the 2-2 draw against German side TSG Hoffenheim. He took two shots during the game, one was a missed chance in the first half and the other he shot right into the keeper.

Jay Demerit (Watford)- Started and finished in the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe United. Demerit had a big role in the match as he was ruled to have handed a ball in the box in the 90th minute. Allowing Scunthorpe to equalize. He also missed a header earlier in the match.