FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Let's cut to the chase.  We have all the talent and coaching we need on our national team right now.  However, might I suggest one little tweaks?  Let our players, on offense, off of the chain. 

Landon Donovan is never going to be as respected, as dangerous or as feared as he is right now.  With Donovan running into space with the ball - all things are possible. 

Damarcus Beasley is just as good as anyone at getting up the sidelines and creating trouble.  In the opposing half of the field he creates time, space and chances.  However, crossing is not his game.  Let him push the ball to the touch and stretch the defense.  Forget asking him to cross from 25 yards in.  Let him cross from 0 yards out.  Why?

Sasha and Clint.  These two players should not be trying to create - they should be trying to rip the net open.  The game is still about striking - so let the strikers strike it.

Josmer is the real deal.  Forget his being banished to Xerez - he can threaten any defense with his speed and his strength.

I like, despite the score, what we saw on defense today.  Lapses are going to happen = that is sports, friends.  However, the backline today was a solid defense that should be allowed to gel in front of Tim Howard.  Jay DeMerit took all comers - bigger and stronger as well as smaller and faster.  Spector and Bornstein are both solid, prototypical laterals that can help create moving into midfield and into forward positions.  They defend well.

Let's not forget who we were playing today, down one man.  We are not the calibre of team that can ever afford to play 10 v 11, much less against Italy.  What we are is young, fast, and skilled.  We have ball skills.  We can grind it out and we can play with finesse as well.  We can, also, beat Brazil.

Howard in goal, directing that same back-line.  Clark is out anyway so let's run Sasha at them from the get-go at left midfield.  Bradley in the center and Lando on the right.  Up front let Beasley, Josmer and Clint run wild.

Dani Alves - and here is my reason - will not back down from anyone unless they force him to keep getting back to cover.  I am not talking long-ball here, either.  In order to win the Brazilian defense needs to fear this offense.  That is the only way to beat this team and make no mistake - Egypt's narrow loss was not an indicator of a weak Brazilian team.  Brazilian coach Dunga is constructing an efficient team first and foremost and the samba-laden dribble fests - while still a part of the game - are not the #1 priority.  I'll repeat it once again.  We can beat this team, or any team for that matter but it needs to happen from the midfield forward. 

Forget trying to shut down Kaka'.  It won't happen.  He is that good and he will likely score at least one - maybe two.  However, we can stop everyone else.  O Fabuloso - Luis Fabiano - is the real deal but if you step to him early and often he can be beaten.  He is not a shooter.  Spread the field on offense.  Let our boys run into space and unleash a crackerjack shot early and often and we will serve notice that we aren't done yet.