Counterattack: Who Should Start In Place Of Dempsey In Honduras?

Shane Evans: Given that one of the USA stalwarts, Clint Dempsey, won't be in the line-up for their match against Honduras, I think Bob Bradley should incorporate a system with three strikers, similar to what Manchester United has done in the past.

I'd like to see Ching and Altidore up top with Charlie Davies a bit withdrawn. This would allow Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark to play deeper down the field, with presumably Landon Donovan acting as support for Davies and the strikers. I know it's a bit of a stretch from what they're used to, but honestly, up to now, they have not looked great offensively, so maybe a shake-up would be good.

Greg Lalas: I can understand the impulse to shake it up, but I think when things are at this stage, the last thing you want to do is rock the boat too much and throw off the ballast of the team. Remember, they aren't sailing through dire straits or anything like that right now. All they need is a win and they are through with one of the three guaranteed spots in the Hexagonal.

So, with that in mind, I'd insert Stuart Holden at right mid, a straight swap for Dempsey. Holden has played there as a sub and he's done well every time he's come in. Do you really think the US should go so attacking away to Honduras?

Stuart Holden | Could be Dempsey's stand-in

Shane Evans: It's hard to say. As Allen Ramsey wrote in his Short List this week, they cannot sit back. If they do and start games the way they have lately, they are just going to make things harder on themselves. It's not shaking things up that much, it just allows for the team to have a different dynamic that Honduras would certainly have trouble with.

For me, Holden hasn't impressed in Red, White and Blue. He was clearly their best player at the Gold Cup...but that was the Gold Cup and he was on a second team. When he's put in with this group, he seems a bit overwhelmed. With Charlie Davies, and Brian Ching, you have two uber-confident players who know their role and can play it to Bob Bradley's liking. Plus, I think having Davies slot in behind the forwards would allow him to do so much with his pace and creativity, something that Altidore and Ching would benefit from.

Greg Lalas: Don't you think that Altidore and Ching will get in each other's way? And Davies will not--can not!--fulfill the defensive responsibilities of playing a withdrawn forward. The US is not Brazil. They need at least 9 players defending, including the goalkeeper.

Shane Evans: And if they do that, sit in a shell, things go badly. Look at the Mexico match. They scored inside of 10 minutes and then played on their heels for the next 80. In that case they lose all ability to go forward. If they want to keep Honduras from bullying the match, they need to give them some serious threats to think about, not someone like Holden who at times can be completely invisible.

Greg Lalas: Yes, but you just proved one of my points. You said that the US cannot sit back. Fine. I agree. But at Mexico, they didn't sit back, at least not initially. They came out and played and attacked and they got the early goal. It was only after the goal that they sat back. They should've continued attacking. But probably they should've actually been more patient in the beginning and maintained a sustained level of attack and flow rather than fire all their weapons in the first 10 minutes.

Shane Evans: And they tried...by bringing on Holden just after the half. He did nothing. At least with Dempsey he can create and adds some quality to the side. Building a team to sit back and absorb goals, especially on the road, is just a sad state to be in. The USMNT are a better team than Honduras, that's simple. With Dempsey out, why not field your best players? Holden is up-and-coming, yes, but he isn't at Dempsey's level yet and with him out, you have to put in players who will fill his obvious void (whether you love him or not).

Greg Lalas: I actually think Holden gives the US that more stable flow on the right flank. He's an honest, box-to-box player, which Dempsey hasn't been of late with the US team. And, I disagree that he's overwhelmed with the big boys.

Shane Evans: I don't know how he's not...What did he do against Mexico? The US lost that game as soon as Mexico equalized. Holden isn't the answer. Not now, anyway.

Greg Lalas: Against Mexico, Holden set up Davies with a lovely long ball that Davies barely missed. Then, Holden did very well against El Salvador, getting up and down the flank and setting up a great chance for someone, I think maybe Torres. And against T&T, he did some good defensive work to help preserve the win. That's what Holden gives you--a little flair in attack, tireless running out wide, and intelligent defending.

Shane Evans: Regardless, in this situation it doesn't feel right for me. He's a talented player, but with their attack being so poor of late, something needs to be done to put pressure on Honduras or we could be left with a very sticky match against Costa Rica next week.

Greg Lalas: Look, Holden is not ready to replace Dempsey (yet!), but in this situation, when the US cannot lose, he's the best option. Much better option that totally revamping the formation and lineup in some kind of a knee-jerk reaction. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Shane Evans: That we will.

Counterattack runs every Thursday on Goal.com USA.

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