TheNearPostMy general point behind this lineup is to find a way to get Beckham and Donovan near eachother without limiting their influence to one part of the field. Donovan plays as something of a right winger-forward that almost makes a front three with Angel and Magee, while Beckham plays as a right midfielder tucked in that forms a central trio with Birchall and Juninho.

In that sense, it's a 4-3-3, at least on defense. However, if Donovan moves into the hole and Beckham moves wide, or the other way around, it looks like a 4-2-3-1. Donovan may move closer to Angel, while Beckham tries to provide a supply line from the flank, which could have the shape looking like a 4-4-2. Think of it this way: a 4-4-2 with one of the forwards playing more wide, one of the wide midfielders tucked in next to the central midfielders, and the other looking to get down the line. The general issue is that Mike Magee isn't left-footed and doesn't really ever try to get down the line when he is on the right. What's more, the Galaxy lack a left-footed player that tries to provide width, although Todd Dunivant does a pretty good job of that from left back, which might just allow Magee inside.

Just my thoughts.

08.04.2011