FanPost

Where's the Creativity in the Midfield?

JK and staff picked 10 players for the 8 midfield spots going to Brazil. My reflexive response is to eliminate Joe Corona and Brad Davis, but I'm having a tough time finding the requisite creativity in the remaining 8.


The wide midfield choices all seem to be hardworking, technically proficient players. Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya both are well equiped to handle the defensive responsibilities while adding competence in the final third. Zusi's free kick is excellent and his crosses reflect that skill. He doesn't have much opportunity to exersize the ability to send in a cross in front of goal when he plays for SKC, as he's often in the middle of the field. He does have good if not great vision. On SKC, most of the creative spade work is done by Benny Feilhaber, so if Zusi have that ability, I've missed it. I don't watch Nantes, but I've seen all Bedoya's work on the USMNT and he seems hardworking with a great engine. He's quick to get back on defense, has some creativity, and like Zusi, has good, but not great vision. The side would be well served with either at right midfield, but I suspect the plan is to allow the right back to provide the width on the right.


Left midfield is more problematic. Julian Green is doubtlessly talented and can provide width, but is extremely raw. Outside of him, who are the choices if Fabian Johnson plays left back? I don't think Brad Davis is fast enough. Could the staff be considering Bedoya as a pinched in left midfielder, while letting Johnson provide the width? Possibly.


In central midfield, the Michael Bradley/Jermaine Jones pairing might be assured. The normal criticism is their lack of coordinated play when they play together. The long training camp leading up to WC2014 might be fruitfully used to tighten their partnership. Both have some creativity, but their major strength is that each is indefatigable. Their backups are probably Mix Diskerud above Kyle Beckerman in a midfield diamond. Beckerman is reliable, if unspectacular. Though most see Diskerud as a creative provider in midfield, I'm less confident. His vision is good, but he looks a tad slow to pull the trigger on the international stage. Mo Edu's best position is as a defensive midfielder, and he is probably more athletic than Beckerman, though also more likely to make a mistake in a dangerous area. I think he'll also make the 23, but recognize this arrangement leaves the USMNT with a sole left midfielder, one who doesn't even get playing time for his club team.


The midfield eight are: Zusi, Bedoya, and Green at the wide positions and Bradley,Jones,Diskerud,Beckerman and Edu in the middle of the field.


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