TheNearPostThis shape is a little interesting/odd. Jones acted as something of a right midfielder with Gomez making runs off the shoulder of the fullback into the channel. In a sense, this was almost a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 featuring Donovan and Jones the wide players.

I like the idea, but I think the wrong players are in the wrong positions. Jones offers good running and width out to that right flank, but he probably isn't someone you look to for pinpoint crosses. Someone who we can do with is Landon Donovan. What's more, he brings the kind of intelligence and composure on the ball that will be very useful in a central midfield role. I think another issue with this lineup is that we didn't have enough runners in the final third. Donovan and Dempsey's combinations are always a pleasure of course but we need people moving off of them or else they become the only threat and therefore easy to crowd out. I would put Altidore as the left forward. Jozy is quite keen on receiving the ball on the left flank and cutting in onto his right, so he should be comfortable there.

25.06.2012