Fab J and Dzeko … once club brothers .. square off today.
Starting line-ups from Sarajevo shortly.
Have a few minutes to kill? Two must-reads:
» America’s Most Important Soccer Player Conquers the Old World.
» And the TSG preview of course! USA v. Bosnia: Welcome to Sarajevo
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The Shin Guardian 
Posted by matthewsf on 2013/08/14 at 10:48 AM
Posted by Ufficio on 2013/08/14 at 11:20 AM
AJ over EJ, but otherwise big like.
Posted by Ufficio on 2013/08/14 at 11:50 AM
I rest my case.
Posted by matthewsf on 2013/08/14 at 11:03 AM
https://twitter.com/grahamruthven/status/367707143501524992
Posted by matthewsf on 2013/08/14 at 11:11 AM
Given that line-ups mirror the preview. You have to think a wandering Misimovic actually (because Rahimic will just sit deep like Beckerman) is going to cause the US some problems.
Posted by Matt on 2013/08/14 at 11:13 AM
Hey yo!
Posted by matthewsf on 2013/08/14 at 11:20 AM
Posted by Mr. Tuesday on 2013/08/14 at 11:20 AM
We have so many good players now! Selection is a good problem to have. I’m excited for this.
Posted by matthewsf on 2013/08/14 at 11:25 AM
Welcome back good man!
Posted by Matt on 2013/08/14 at 11:45 AM
Best to lose so that the streak talk is gone before the MEX game?
Posted by gino744 on 2013/08/14 at 11:52 AM
Blasphemy! Besides, if we were to lose at Mexico in Columbus, it wouldn’t be because of the “pressure” or talk of a streak.
Posted by gino744 on 2013/08/14 at 11:53 AM
“to” Mexico
Posted by Ufficio on 2013/08/14 at 11:52 AM
Jozy, put that ball in the back of the net, son
Posted by Paula on 2013/08/14 at 12:13 PM
Ugh. 2-nil.
Well, better to lose the streak in a friendly, I guess.
Posted by Matt on 2013/08/14 at 12:36 PM
If a friendly game is played without our qualifying team does the game really exist?
Posted by Paula on 2013/08/14 at 1:06 PM
Spoke. Too. Soon.
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 12:14 PM
wow, this is looking painfully like a typical bob bradley rope-a-dope performance.
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 12:16 PM
memories of slovenia?
Posted by Paula on 2013/08/14 at 1:26 PM
The answer is apparently YES.
Posted by Chazcar2 on 2013/08/14 at 12:35 PM
jones off, corona on diskerud drops with bradley. EJ off, castillo on at Fullback push FJ into midfield
Posted by Chazcar2 on 2013/08/14 at 12:37 PM
Just my suggestion. If we had another CB I would push Cameron into midfield.
Posted by Matt on 2013/08/14 at 12:54 PM
I’ll take it…is anyone watching on a TV? I only have twitter and live feeds for the game.
Posted by dth on 2013/08/14 at 12:57 PM
Am I the only one who hates Taylor Twellman now? He is a terrible commentator.
Posted by jamieru on 2013/08/14 at 12:58 PM
what took ya so long?
Posted by dth on 2013/08/14 at 1:01 PM
I’ve really disliked him for a while*, but for some reason he’s particularly grating today.
* it’s annoyed me for a while that he seems to believe 4-4-2 is the only true formation, which is the sort of reality-expelling delusion we make fun of the English for.
Posted by Chazcar2 on 2013/08/14 at 1:09 PM
Agree with the terrible. Fabian Johnson is not Naturally left footed. For the love off all things soccer. Watch him dribble!
Posted by Chazcar2 on 2013/08/14 at 1:10 PM
Also how about how he gave credit for eddie johnson for putting the us back in it, when eddie totally stole that goal from jozy.
Posted by Sean Tuxill (@thebostinian) on 2013/08/14 at 1:14 PM
“Stole” is a bit strong. Jozy gift-wrapped it for EJ, because there was no way Jozy gets through the keeper and two defenders to get to the ball after he touched it around the keeper.
Also, HOLY PISS Johannsson thumped that ball.
Posted by @MarcosVonEpp on 2013/08/14 at 9:23 PM
Do you think Twellman likes to blather spam via rhetorical questions?
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 12:58 PM
siiiiiick jozy. gonna be a big year for him, you think? finally make “the leap”?
Posted by dth on 2013/08/14 at 1:01 PM
Leap has been made, my man.
Posted by Ufficio on 2013/08/14 at 1:09 PM
True fact.
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 1:24 PM
yep.
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 1:25 PM
omg jolazo x2
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 1:17 PM
whoa johannson?
Posted by Marmaduke on 2013/08/14 at 2:19 PM
He only put in 30 minutes or so, but it was more than enough to make me want to see more. He had a beautiful pass to Jozy early on and seemed to have an instant rapport with Altidore in general. He chased the ball and harrassed the defenders the way a young sub should and held the ball up in stoppage time as you’d expect a veteran to do. He had some nice dribbling runs and a deft touch in the box to set himself up for some good looks at goal.
It’s waaaay too soon to book his ticket to Brazil, but I am excited, nonetheless.
Posted by Paula on 2013/08/14 at 1:22 PM
Bsonia-Herzegovina 43% Time of Possession 57% United States
I’m not watching this live, but is that true? Bosnia is no. 9 on ESPN/Nate SIlver’s SPI.
Posted by John Henry on 2013/08/14 at 1:27 PM
JOZY FOR THE ARSENAL!!!
Posted by Paula on 2013/08/14 at 1:33 PM
HOLY S–T.
Posted by KickinNames.... on 2013/08/14 at 1:33 PM
Wow. That looked like a man showed up wearing 17 tonite. He just seems to keep rising into his own.
Posted by Chazcar2 on 2013/08/14 at 1:37 PM
Is it me or did Jozy look like he has added 5lbs of muscle? Definately the fittest I have seen him.
Posted by Gregorio on 2013/08/14 at 2:05 PM
Wow this was unexpected, wow Jozy not only shutting up all the past detractors (me included) but shoving his cleats down out throat, wow kudos! What are everyone’s opinions on our players? I liked Mixx thought he did ok, EJ had a an easy goal but his giveaway caused a goal. Bedoya did well, his first cross was a good set up for EJ.
Now JJ is not everyone’s cup of tea but I think he was good, I think FJ was decent, better pushed up the field as LM in 2nd half (And TT he is not a natural left-footer, do your homework). Castillo is really an enigma , body like a emo chick but does move the ball well in attack. BrooksBank was in for a ride, sub par performance but promising. Parkhurst? so-so, Sascha same. MB tops next to Jozy .Corona ok. Quiet game from Evans which isn’t such a bad thing against the number 13th ranked team
Anyway I could go on but lets say the switch to 4-4-2 definitely made our game better.
But the US is really coming on I remember the days with Milutinovic where we hoped for a draw and maybe steal a goal on a set piece, it was liking watching paint dry or reruns of the Galloping Gourmet.
We actually look threatening at times, wow.
Posted by chalaron on 2013/08/14 at 2:35 PM
completely disagree with JJ. He looked totally disinterested, his passing was awful, and when he gave the ball away he just stood around. I couldn’t believe JK took Mix off before JJ. I was hoping JJ would come off and Mix would drop back with MB.
Posted by Union on 2013/08/14 at 3:09 PM
Pretty impressive performance. I like Brooks will be the best CB we’ve had in years once he gets some experience. Some learning moments, but the kid is 20. Cameron looked a little off. I’ve always thought Cameron should be start alongside Brooks, but maybe Besler is that guy? Fabian is starting to look like an average left back and above average midfielder. We also look way better in the 4-4-2 , but I still think the 4-3-3 allows JK to get his best players on the field. My preferred Starting XI at the moment. in a 4-3-3
Aron Johnnasson——Altidore—–Donovan
——————-Dempsey———————-
—————————–Bradley—————
—————Jones——————————
—Fabian—-Brooks—-Besler/Cameron——Evans
———————–Howard————————-
I think even though Fabian is better as an attacking MF, he’s not as dynamic as Aron. If he has a better winger to work off of (instead of E. Johnson who is terrible defensively), he’ll be able to get more involved int he attack as a left back. Aron I’m really high on. I think he’s smart, fast, technically skilled…and is great at setting up a shot. Plus he is a solid crosser. He can get to the endline and pick someone out in the middle of the box. Donovan on the right because he is still the best option (yes, better than Zusi). Dempsey isn’t the best 10, but its the best way to get him on the field in an advanced position without making him an outright striker. And then I think its just a matter of figuring out who starts alongside Brooks. Brooks is a tricky situation because ‘s young and hasn’t even been cap tied yet, but I think he is simply better than Gonzalez, Besler and Cameron. If you give him a year to get his feet under him in international football…combined with the experience he’ll get starting in the Bundesliga…and I think he might be an incredibly good player by the time Summer 2014 rolls around.
Posted by Eric on 2013/08/14 at 4:04 PM
Is this match the culmination of an turning point in USMNT history?
Yes a friendly. Yes match changed when Pjanic and others subbed out. But does the sum of play over the last few months lead to the next step as a team/nation? On a midweek night in Bosnia, USMNT total team desire, commitment, and interplay passing on display seldom seen before. May be hyperbole or the blissful satisfaction after watching that second half. Only the retrospective lens of time will tell.
Skipped out of work to watch the match a small sports bar. No sound on the TV. Alone watching. 2 other guys watching baseball. Left proud. Excited for the potential ahead.
Posted by PedroVB13 on 2013/08/14 at 11:17 PM
I’m of the thought that we should try a 3-5-2.
Work with me here…
————-Jozy—————
—————-Deuce———
LD——–MB90———-Zusi
——-Jones——-GC——–
—-FJ—–Besler—Brooks–
Cameron plays a hybrid CDM/RCB. So maybe it’s more of a 3.5-4.5-2
In Fab-J, Besler, Brooks & Cameron, you have plenty of distribution out of the back. FJ can push up left flank, GC drops back to cover. LD/Zusi attacking on wings.
And this gets, Deuce, LD, Zusi, Jozy on the fielsd at the same time with MB90 orchestrating the offense.
Thoughts?