Coach's Corner: Round 8 with OWU's Jay Martin

The Coach's Corner returns just in time for the World Cup. Ohio Wesleyan men's soccer coach Jay Martin shares his thoughts on the U.S. and his favorite. Just to give you a heads up, a lot of his thoughts align with mine, especially when it comes to a certain team famous for "Total Football." Enjoy...

1. Let’s start with your thoughts on the U.S. 23-man roster.

Biggest omissions – I have a feeling you’ll probably say Chad Marshal and I don’t know enough about him, but I’d love to hear you’re opinion. He didn’t seem to get much of a shake, but that probably has to do with his camp play I would imagine.

I’ve watched Jonathan Bornstein closely now for 3 friendlies and the guy absolutely cannot be our cover for Bocanegra at left back. The Netherlands picked on him without mercy as did the Czechs and later in the last game the Turks did as well.

Robbie Findley was also a big surprise for me, but I was fine with it because I think Brian Ching just does not have the necessary pace the U.S. has to play at the World Cup, and Findley looked very good against the Turks in the second half.

Were you surprised by Gomez or Buddle? I was very happy both made the team. To me again it was a smart decision to take guys in form and Gomez showed he can score.

In regards to the roster it is important to know that picking just the best is often not the best solution. Good soccer teams have a mixture of players. The good coach knows this and puts players on the field that will compliment each other. Helmut Schoen, the 1974 WC winning German coach said, “ There are basically four types of players.

· The Personality Player: This player stamps his imprint on the game. These players are very rare. Fans walk away and think of how this player controlled the game. i.e. Messi

· The Creative Player: This player is technical, has a knowledge of the game and can make plays others can’t but falls short of being a personality player. i.e. Ballack, Iniesta

· The Fighter: This player does the dirty work – hard, tough, physical. His jersey is dirty in warm ups. i.e. Gattuso

· The Creative/Fighter Combination: These players are hard to find. They combine the qualities listed above. i.e. Gerrard

Putting a team together means that the coach puts certain types of players together.

· If you have two personality players (happens rarely, but at the international level it happens a little bit more often i.e England’s problems in the midfield??) they can NOT play together. The coach must separate them on the field.

· Two creative players should not play together. Creative players must be paired with a fighter.

· A creative player who plays with a personality player MUST have a fighter nearby.

· Fighters can be paired together, but should play in the defensive end for the team i.e. holding midfield, center back etc.

So when we talk about team selection that is part of it. With that said, let me answer your questions:

· Chad Marshall was a surprise cut, especially in light of the question marks surrounding the health of Onyewu. My only guess is that Chad has not been very healthy lately. But, he scored a goal v San Jose two days after he was cut!!! Chad can bring it at either end. He can score with the head on set pieces and he is a versatile defender.

· Jonathan Bornstein is a fighter. I think he was picked because he can play different positions and can mix it up in the midfield or defensive end.

· Brian Ching is too old. I feel badly about that because his presence is stabilizing and his experience worthy. At a World Cup all coaches have an eye on the next World Cup. I think Findley is on the team for future tournaments. The experience for him in SA will be invaluable.

Both Gomez and Buddle are currently pretty hot in terms of goal scoring. On a team that has trouble scoring, Bob Bradley opted for two players who are on form. And, I think both may have a future with the MNT.

2. Let’s also get your thoughts on the tactics Bob Bradley will institute in South Africa starting with formations and players.

You clearly have some locks – Bocanegra, Onyewu, DeMeritt, Bradley, Donovan, Altidore (if he’s healthy). The rest is up in the air as far as I am concerned.

One big question I have is where do you think Dempsey will play? I’ve always thought he looks at his best and most dangerous on the wing, but I also think having watched the U.S. play that Stuart Holden is the next most talented player at outside wing that would compliment the team which would force Dempsey to play forward. Holden to me is better than Buddle, Gomez, Findley, or whoever else you would throw up top to partner Altidore. What do you think?

Another big spot the U.S. have to fill is who will partner Michael Bradley in the middle. Ricardo Clark was clearly the guy last year in the Confederations Cup, but I think he has been passed by both Maurice Edu and Jose Torres. If I were to pick the guy would be Torres, he has impressed me immensely and again was superb in the Turkey game really helping to get the U.S. clicking, making the right passes that found their marks. Who would you pick?

And in the back I think there are decisions still to be made. I’ve said I think Bocanegra, Onyewu, and DeMeritt will be the guys but you’ve obviously got health concerns all over the place there. If I had to pick a right back it would be Cherundolo – I think he’s better coming forward and getting back, and I like the fact he plays in the Bundesliga a more tough nose league than the Premier League. All you have to is look at how poorly Spector played for West Ham this year, he got picked on a lot, and he’s going against guys that are very familiar with him in the first game with England.

So having looked at all these quandaries, who would be your U.S. starting 11? Who would be the guys that would be first off the bench in case you needed a goal or fresh legs or defensive cover? What formation would you play?

Historically Bob Bradley has been pretty conservative with his formation and placement of players. Now that we have some players who can “make plays”, it will be interesting to see what the plan of action/attack will be.

· In international soccer today, the playmaker is moved away from the center of the field. A big US strength is having Dempsey and Donovan out wide. They have space, and time; they can see the field and use their speed and be very dangerous. The problem lately (since McBride retired) is who will get on the end of serves from Donovan and Dempsey? Buddle, (who plays well with Donovan) Findley, Gomez and Altidore will have a chance to show what they can do in training and against Australia. I agree with you about Holden and if the US gets behind, I would not be surprised to see Dempsey moved on top. He will be a dangerous target for Holden and Donovan. I would not be surprised to see Donovan on top either! Let’s not forget Beasley. If in form, he could be very dangerous for the US team.

· I would like to see Torres play with Bradley. His play v Turkey was eye opening…poised, great field vision, very positive play with the ball. He would be a great complement to Bradley.

· The starters in the back will depend, in large part, on injuries or who is not injured. There are options and we should be able to cover the back. A second consideration for the back four is HOW Bradley wants to play i.e. attacking out of the back? Use Cherundolo Staying home/conservative? Use Spector. I think what happens v Australia will be BIG in determining the starting lineup.

Altidore/Buddle

Donovan

Dempsey Bradley Torres (defensive) Beasley

Bocanegra Onyewu DeMerit Cherundolo

3. Let’s end this week’s installment with your thoughts on any early favorites. I love the Dutch and Spain, but I know you’ve said it’s just not in the Netherlands culture to win a tournament because of their focus on the individual…

My favorite? Holland. This team is loaded and had the best qualifying record (although an easy group): 8-0-0; 17 goals for and only 2 against. The problem with the Dutch is always harmony. They just don’t get along and self-destruct as the tournament goes forward. It happens every time i.e. Euro 1996, Euro 2008.

But Bert van Marwijk may be the man to solve the internal problems. The first step in correcting a problem is recognizing the problem. He has been outspoken publicly about this. So far the team is responding.

They don’t have the best goalkeeper, but Van der Saar is a tough act to follow. They are loaded up front and should score goals. I wonder about van Brommel (the coach’s son-law) in the midfield. He was a nightmare in the CL final.