An interesting idea from Leander Schaerlaeckens, Soccernet's epically named US Soccer Correspondent. He asks why does Bob Bradley insist on the 4-4-2, despite indications that the best talent is not being used in that formation. The emergence of Charlie Davies over the course of 2009 made Bradley ditch the empty-bucket 4-5-1 that plagued use through most of 2008. Now with Davies as a huge question mark and a weak candidate pool at forward, the question needs to be asked, is it time to let Jozy Altidore go alone up top and emphasize our depth in midfield? The second forward candidates include Davie's miraculous return, Brian Ching, Connor Casey, Robbie Findley, Eddie Johnson, Kenny Cooper, and Freddy Adu. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey could both play up top, but there has not been an emerging figure to replace them on the wings. Stuart Holden could make it, but he hasn't had the chance to consistently establish himself on the international level. So what could a 4-5-1 look like? Leander suggests moving Michael Bradley up into a role behind Altidore, where he excelled in his time with Heerenveen. What is lacking from this suggestion is who exactly replaces Bradley's defensive contributions? I agree with the idea of a 4-5-1, so long as it doesn't involve an empty bucket formation. Here's what I would go with, should a 4-4-2 be prevented by injury or other conditions: Defensive formation (for England and other upper level teams): ---Donovan ----------------------------Dempsey--- -------------------Feilhaber------------------------ -----------Bradley--------------Edu---------------- Attacking formation: ---Donovan-----------------------------Dempsey--- -------------Torres-----------Feilhaber------------- --------------------Bradley------------------------- Edu provides a great deal of defensive bite at the expense of some passing skills from Torres. Clogging the midfield with some defense could be helpful going against Gerrad and Lampard with England. Torres and Feilhaber are probably the best passers in the national team pool and getting them on the field together will open all sorts of runs for Donovan, Dempsey and Altidore.
Given the degree to which Bradley has been sticking with the 4-4-2 (and justifiably so when all are healthy), I don't think we'll see it. He has also had his most successful coaching moments in the 4-4-2.
