Bruce Arena’s first competitive match in his second run at the helm of the United States men’s national team is a near must-win World Cup qualifier against Honduras, and he’s turned to a diamond shape.
USA vs. Honduras: Lineups for their World Cup qualifier
Bruce Arena has turned to a diamond shape with Christian Pulisic thrust into a No. 10 role.
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In the absence of great true wide options or a striker that can play up top by themselves, it makes sense that Arena has gone this route. Michael Bradley will anchor the midfield while Sebastian Lletget and Darlington Nagbe play as shuttlers. Christian Pulisic has been handed a central attacking midfield role behind the strikers, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore.
The one problem the USMNT might find with this shape is a lack of width. All four of the first four selections you’d expect to see as attacking right back are unavailable for Arena, which forced him to pick Geoff Cameron — who usually plays center back — in that spot. He’ll have to play one of the best attacking games of his life for the USMNT to have good spacing.
Honduras has busted out their regular away formation, which is very defensive. They’ll play a true 5-4-1, with a flat midfield four in front of their back five featuring wingers, instead of the more common no wingers and wingbacks setup seen with three central defender formations.
United States lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Tim Howard; Jorge Villafaña, John Brooks, Omar Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron; Michael Bradley; Sebastian Lletget, Darlington Nagbe; Christian Pulisic; Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore
Honduras lineup (5-4-1): Donis Escober; Emilio Izaguirre, Maynor Figueroa, Henry Figueroa, Ever Alvarado, Brayan Beckeles; Romell Quioto, Roger Espinoza, Jorge Claros, Andy Najar; Alberth Elis
The game kicks off at 10:50 p.m. ET from Avaya Stadium in San Jose. You can catch the game in English on FS1 and in Spanish on Univision Deportes.
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