Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIPhotos.com
The U.S. national team's impressive second-half performance in Saturday's 1-1 tie vs. Argentina has the team heading into Tuesday's friendly against Paraguay with confidence as Bob Bradley faces some tough questions about just which players he will turn to for the team's second game in four days.
One player who seems like a safe bet to start vs. Paraguay is Juan Agudelo, who came on as a second-half sub against Argentina and provided invaluable energy. German-born right back Timmy Chandler is also a safe bet to face Paraguay after an impressive national team debut on Sunday.
Whether it's the defense or midfield, there should be several adjustments to the lineup. Who will sit? Oguchi Onyewu and Jermaine Jones could sit, while Jonathan Spector seems likely to sit, or at the very least play somewhere other than right back.
Here is who I see Bob Bradley starting vs. Paraguay:
There are only three changes from Saturday's starting lineup, but I can see Bradley wanting to see this group play together. It's the same unit, except for Tim Ream in place of Oguchi Onyewu, that played the second half against Argentina.
I think we'll see more substitutions in the second half, when players like Jonathan Bornstein and Mixx Diskerud can get into the lineup.
Looking at this starting lineup, I couldn't help but wonder if we might see this formation with the same group of players:
It's a 4-3-3 and would get Dempsey closer to goal while allowing Donovan the freedom to create from the midfield. Okay, so we might not see it, but I wouldn't mind seeing it.
If Bob Bradley is adventurous, he could choose to sit Dempsey or Donovan and start Diskerud or Kljestan. He could also rest Bocanegra and start Bornstein. Speaking of rest, given Michael Bradley's solid 90 minutes, he could be in line for a rare rest.
Here's that potential lineup:
I know most fans would prefer Diskerud to Kljestan, but I can see Bradley starting Kljestan and seeing Diskerud in the second half.
What lineup would I like to see play? Here's a group I wouldn't necessarily want to see start, but would like to see play together:
Diskerud is a creative player I'd really like to see play with first-team players, but it seems like he's unlikely to start. I also wouldn't mind seeing Sacha Kljestan in a similar spot to see how he's progressed at Anderlecht. Michael Bradley isn't in this lineup because I think we already know what he brings to the table. Why no Dempsey? Similiar reason, and he also could use the rest. Landon Donovan is coming off a long off-season so he doesn't need a rest as much.
What do you think of these lineups? Who would you like to see start? What combination would you really like to see play together on Wednesday?
Share your thoughts below.
