I am persisting with my view that USA should opt for a 4-4-1-1 formation with Landon Donovan behind Jozy Altidore. Robbie Findley looked dangerous at sporadic intervals against England but, without Charlie Davies, USA don’t really have a viable 90-minute strike-partner for Altidore. The US started the 2009 Confederations Cup with Donovan in a central-attacking area, and they functioned very well in their group game against Italy until Ricardo Clark’s sending off.
Against England, Clint Dempsey and Donovan did push infield from their respective flanks to take up central positions. It was this tactic which led to Dempsey’s fortunate goal. Playing Donovan in a more defined central role enables USA to field a player more fixedly situated between central-midfield and attack. Although Donovan’s focus would be on supporting Altidore, he would add extra presence to central areas thus assisting Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley to gain more of a foothold. Altidore performed ably against England, demonstrating good power and pace. He doesn’t need the close support of a fellow centre-forward and is equipped to lead the line on his own.
The Slovenia game provides an opportunity to put 4-4-1-1 into practice again. This is a pragmatic formation which will serve the US well if they make it to the knock-out rounds and face a side which is organized as 4-5-1.
There is still flexibility within this approach. Donovan can pull wide to either flank, with Dempsey or Stuart Holden switching to the middle. If 4-4-2 is retained, then of course the wide players can move infield to occupy holding midfielders and run at the central-defence, but this will be at the expense of attacking width. Under 4-4-1-1, USA’s most talented player Donovan is placed in a more defined central position, but presence on the wings is not compromised. The only loss is the use of a centre-forward (Findley or Edson Buddle) who is yet to establish that they offer anything more than impact-substitute qualities.
You can select your US team for the Slovenia fixture at gaffr.com.