COPA AMERICA: Who would you start against Argentina?

You've heard it over and over, Argentina is going to blow out the U.S. national team in Copa America. You've heard that a thousand times a day since the U.S. roster was announced and it became clear that the Americans were sending a C team to face what is basically Argentina's full senior squad.

Well, the matchday is here and we are left to ponder what the U.S. starting lineup will look like. Argentina revealed theirs days ago, but we have no way to know what lineup Bob Bradley is considering. Well, we do have some evidence to help us with some of the players in the lineup. Look at this Associated Press picture from US practice on Wednesday:

There are six players in this picture: Jimmy Conrad, Benny Feilhaber, Ricardo Clark, Jonathan Bornstein, Justin Mapp and Ben Olsen. It's safe to say that everyone in this picture is starting. Thanks to those of you who figured out that was Ben Olsen in the picture. He makes sense as a starter on the right since he has experience that Lee Nguyen doesn't and he's also in mid-season form (The guy did net a hat-trick recently). Ultimately, you need as much defensive bite on the field as you can get. Nguyen isn't playing in season right now so I wonder where his fitness is right now. There is no such concern for Olsen.

If you're wondering how Argentina is doing, here is a picture from their practice:

That's a pretty relaxed looking bunch. From left to right you have Alfio Basile, Messi chasing Heinze, Ayala with his hand raise, Riquelme, Veron, Zanetti, Mascherano and Crespo. A pretty good group, isn't it?

Here is how I see the two teams looking when they take the field in Maracaibo tonight:

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS (USA in bold, ARGENTINA in caps):

-------------------------Keller------------------------

---------------Conrad-----------DeMerit--------------

Wynne----------------CRESPO-------------Bornstein

-------------------------MESSI--------------------------

------------Feilhaber-----------Clark-----------------

-----------------------RIQUELME----------------------

Olsen---- CAMBIASSO--------VERON--------Mapp

---------------------MASCHERANO---------------------

---------------Twellman--------Johnson-------------

HEINZE--------MILITO----------AYALA------ZANETTI

---------------------ABBONDANZIERI----------------

The scariest aspect of Argentina's squad is that midfield, which is as good as any you'll find in the world. Riquelme is playing amazing soccer these days, while Mascherano is a destroyer of the first order. The Americans will have a chance to create some chances of their wingers can take advantage of the space they'll have to operate in. It won't be easy with Heinze and Zanetti manning the fullback spots. I also wonder if the forward tandem of Twellman and Johnson will be able to do anything against Milito and Ayala. Personally, I would prefer to see Charlie Davies than Eddie Johnson but I doubt Bradley throws Davies in against Argentina.

So how is the U.S. supposed to win this game? I've spent a few days trying to figure that one out and couldn't come up with anythin (Well, Keller could have a dream game and the U.S. could get a gift penalty. That's about the only scenario I see). I know the optimists out there will say that anything is possible if Mexico can beat Brazil. The main differences there are that Brazil didn't have its two best attacking players in Ronaldinho and Kaka and Mexico still had its best attacking player in Nery Castillo.

So what lineup would you use against Argentina? Do you think there's a lineup that could beat Argentina? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Mark]

Looks like Ben Olsen to me; didn't he just cut his hair really short, too?

[Jay G.]

The unidentified player looks like Ben Olsen. I see Bradley starting him over Nguyen unfortunately.

[Keenan]

Yeah, the sixth player is definitely Ben Olsen and I'm certain he would get the nod over Nguyen simply for some experience and grit.

[asd]

that sixth player is eddie johnson

[Braden]

Perhaps Bradley will go with Olsen as right back, which may be smart because I wouldn't want to throw either Wynne or Moor into a game against Messi and Riquelme. Bradley could then put Nguyen on the right and try to get a sucessful counter attack using his pace.

[Super Metro]

Ives,
I thought Howard wasn't on the roster but I might be wrong. Anyways I hope we're not killed by 4 or 5 goals, our outside backs are not so reliable and will have a long night. Hopefully Twellman can put ONE in the back of the net, EJ is not in good form but we hope he surprises us.

[EmorySoccer]

Call me crazy, but I am actually excited to see this group of players take the pitch. I think it'll be interesting to see the US w/o the likes of the Donovans/Beasley's, those of which have played such an integral role in the US' development over the last half decade.

This will be a great test for the US. Now if we could only get Bob Bradley to wear Hugo Sanchez's bulletproof vest...

[Vicious K38]

I see hand near the nether regions of Conrad that belongs to another mystery starter. Based on the protruding knuckles and apparent lack of a ring finger - I would bet my car its either Claudio Reyna or Frodo.

[Mark in NRH]

Howard in goal? He's not of the roster is he? I would assume that you mean Keller.

Wow, Twellman and Johnson up top. We'll be lucky to muster 1 weak shot on goal.

I was ready to see us get drilled by Argentina to the tune of 5-0, but Mexico's win over Brasil will make it very hard to swallow now. Ugh.

[shaj]

where is heath pearce, can we ever get a look at "the best left back in the us"
and yes howard isn't on the roster, i assume keller will be starting

[andrew]

i think it's joe cole

i'm really hoping to see nguyen ... ben olsen is kind of old news to me.

[Joe in ND]

Now would be a good time for Twellman to step up internationally and play well.

[Ives]

I meant Keller, not Howard. Sorry folks. Also, that does appear to be Ben Olsen in the picture so I've plugged him into the starting lineup in place of Lee Nguyen.

[Mark]

Couple edits to the US roster. You have Howard in goal (hopeful perhaps?), but as you reference in your post it will be Keller.

Also, at this point why not Davies and Gomez up top? Johnson and Twellman have been pathetic of late.

[shaj]

oh god are u kiddnig me ben olsennnnn

[Nick]

Looking at Argentina's lineup really sends shivers down my spine. I know this is our C team, but I don't want to see any USMNT get a spanking like we are sure to get tonight.

[Andy]

Do we have to hear catcalls at the starting line-up for every game? Isn't our coach currently 10-0-1? Nobody knows what the starting line-up is, but everyone is already complaining about the inclusion of Olsen. I'm sure Wynn and Kljestan will both get PT, but its not like either of them have set the world on fire the past year, and with an undermanned squad (neccesarily so), having a bulldog like Olsen on the field, as opposed to a 5'7" 140 pound kid in Nguyen who has NEVER played a first team game for his club, might just be logical.

[Mark]

I have to admit as pessimistic as I am about this roster, the Mexico game did give me some hope. It could be that the depth is better than I know, and some of these inexperienced players will step up.

[Jeff]

I would like to see the team come out with no fear and go right at Argentina. I don't know that our forward have the quality to do that, but I think you need to get Argentina on their heels to start the game and make them uncomfortable.

[Elmer]

I'd like to see Davies start instead of Johnson too. Johnson just doesn't impress me. He can tear up MLS defenses, but I doubt he can do anything against a defense like the Argentines have.

I also like the idea of maybe starting Olsen at RB because Wynn has a some major defensive deficiencies . Maybe Heath Pearce gets a start at RB to keep Olsen in the midfield.

[soccer]

take wynne out and start pearce and then our defense isnt THAT bad...

[cbr]

johnson reminds me of Edwardo Hurtado towards the end of his career...the just trots around on the field with zero fire. PPl always talk about Johnson's speed...i have yet to see it

[Brick]

Nguyen has played first team minutes at PSV btw. From yanks-abroad.com,
"Nguyen made his PSV first team debut with a February substitute appearance against Heracles Almelo - enough participation to earn him an Eredivisie championship medal when the title was clinched in April.

Nguyen did not appear for new PSV boss Ronald Koeman in 2006/07, but did score five goals for the second team before losing the remainder of his season to a shoulder injury in December."

[greene]

The only way we can win is with pace. The key is to frustrate Argentina then to use our athleticism on the break.

I would have a triangle in the midfield with Clark and Olsen as d-mids and Feilhaber more centrally. Then Mapp on the Left, Johnson as lone striker, with Davies on the right - really playing as a slightly withdrawn striker.

The thought of Bornstein on the left scares me to death.

One word in defense of Eddie - I think everyone has been jumping on him too much. He was a little tentative during the two games he was in, but it is as if people expect him to take on 4 defenders and score on his own. He held the ball well against Panama and distributed effectively. Twellman on the other hand - had a one on one breakaway with the keeper against Mexico and couldn't get a shot off. Twellman would be useless out there against Argentina - no pace and little touch.

[JY]

Any chance Bornstein starts on the right, with Pearce on the left? An outside-back tandem of Wynne and Bornstein scares me; otherwise the lineup looks to be about the best we could hope for.