Strategy vs. Spain

[USA2010?]

1. Maintain possession
2. Maintain possession
3. Don't let the back line get too deep. This gives Spain more room to maneuver in our half. It may be a little risky, but I think allowing Spain room to control the ball in our half is riskier. Howard is going to have to be aggressive coming out to scoop up stuff.
4. No long balls from the back. This simply gives the ball back to Spain. The fewer long balls from the back, the better the US looks.
5. Pressure Spain when they have the ball. We pressured Egypt but not Italy or Brazil. If you don't pressure them, it's just a matter of time before they score.
6. Clog the middle and make them score from the wings. They still might, but if we let them control the middle of the field, we're doomed.
7. No red cards. It's hard enough against Spain with 11.
8. Try to get Jozy into 1v1s. He actually does well in these situations. He has trouble (as do most strikers) when double teamed.
9. Pick your spots...i.e. Puyols is not that fast so Jozy should try to take it to him, when able.
10. Adu...he was one of the few guys that gave Spain trouble last year. Does he get playing time? I can't see BB starting him, but what about coming on in the 60th if we are already down a goal or two?

FYI, I think MB is suspended for the match. Anyone know for sure?

[Sam Hamwich]

1. Maintain possession
2. Maintain possession
3. Don't let the back line get too deep. This gives Spain more room to maneuver in our half. It may be a little risky, but I think allowing Spain room to control the ball in our half is riskier. Howard is going to have to be aggressive coming out to scoop up stuff.
4. No long balls from the back. This simply gives the ball back to Spain. The fewer long balls from the back, the better the US looks.
5. Pressure Spain when they have the ball. We pressured Egypt but not Italy or Brazil. If you don't pressure them, it's just a matter of time before they score.
6. Clog the middle and make them score from the wings. They still might, but if we let them control the middle of the field, we're doomed.
7. No red cards. It's hard enough against Spain with 11.
8. Try to get Jozy into 1v1s. He actually does well in these situations. He has trouble (as do most strikers) when double teamed.
9. Pick your spots...i.e. Puyols is not that fast so Jozy should try to take it to him, when able.
10. Adu...he was one of the few guys that gave Spain trouble last year. Does he get playing time? I can't see BB starting him, but what about coming on in the 60th if we are already down a goal or two?

FYI, I think MB is suspended for the match. Anyone know for sure?

Adu had Spain tired of running after him and just had Puyols take him out.

Spain's right back had a monster of a game and will probably continue form.

The torres v. gooch match up will be great to see. However, Torres will turn Demerit 6 ways from saturday and put two in the net.

Edu also had a wonderful game last time controlling the middle. It was a particularly poor match for Baby Bradley.

It was a friendly of course. We had no LD in the last match either.

[pwave]

Accept our true selves.

Play uninspired like we did versus Italy and Brazil.

Hope South Africa watches and comes in over-confident for the consolation match.

Play inspired versus SA and be happy with a third place finish behind behemoths Spain and Brazil.

[Maximum Optimal]

I consulted with the I Ching and asked it the following question: How should the US approach its match with Spain?

Here is the answer that I received:

The answer to your question, "How should the US approach its match with Spain?" is:
June 22, 2009

61. Chung Fu - Inner Truth
-----
----- above Sun The Gentle, Wind
-- --
-- --
----- below Tui The Joyous, Lake
-----

The Judgement

Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes.
Good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers.

The Image

Wind over lake: the image of Inner Truth.
Thus the superior man discusses criminal cases
In order to delay executions.

Changing Lines

Changing yang at the bottom means:
Being prepared brings good fortune.
If there are secret designs, it is disquieting.

Changing yang in the second place means:
A crane calling in the shade.
Its young answers it.
I have a good goblet.
I will share it with you.

Changing yin in the third place means:
He finds a comrade.
Now he beats the drum, now he stops.
Now he sobs, now he sings.

Changing yin in the fourth place means:
The moon nearly at the full.
The team horse goes astray.
No blame.

Changing yang in the fifth place means:
He possesses truth, which links together.
No blame.

Changing yang at the top means:
Cockcrow penetrating to heaven.
Perseverance brings misfortune.

[TheLostUniversity]

I consulted with the I Ching and asked it the following question: How should the US approach its match with Spain?

Here is the answer that I received:

The answer to your question, "How should the US approach its match with Spain?" is:
June 22, 2009

61. Chung Fu - Inner Truth
-----
----- above Sun The Gentle, Wind
-- --
-- --
----- below Tui The Joyous, Lake
-----

The Judgement

Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes.
Good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers.

The Image

Wind over lake: the image of Inner Truth.
Thus the superior man discusses criminal cases
In order to delay executions.

Changing Lines

Changing yang at the bottom means:
Being prepared brings good fortune.
If there are secret designs, it is disquieting.

Changing yang in the second place means:
A crane calling in the shade.
Its young answers it.
I have a good goblet.
I will share it with you.

Changing yin in the third place means:
He finds a comrade.
Now he beats the drum, now he stops.
Now he sobs, now he sings.

Changing yin in the fourth place means:
The moon nearly at the full.
The team horse goes astray.
No blame.

Changing yang in the fifth place means:
He possesses truth, which links together.
No blame.

Changing yang at the top means:
Cockcrow penetrating to heaven.
Perseverance brings misfortune.

And to think we were afraid "I, Ching " was out of the tournament ....sorry :o

[ML-less]

Ramos----Puyol---Albiol---Capdevilla
Xavi-----X.Alonso--Fabergas----Silva (Riera)
-------Villa------Torres--------

vs

------Altidore----Davies------
Donovan---------------Dempsey
-------Bradley---Clark-----
Borstein---Gooch---Demeritt---Spector

on paper, we are f*cked... but if today proved anything International Soccer is as predictible as Bill Archer's blogs, actually that's a poor example.

I assume we'll use the formation and team that got us here (Brazil!) but that's probably a very bad idea. I just don't see how with a 4-4-2 we will ever get the ball off of them, especially considering Clark wasn't great today, Bradley's strong on the offensive side, and Donovan and Dempsey left acres of space in game where we actually won, so good luck with that.

But Hopefully our counter attack will be as prevelant as it was today and actually if spain fields a team similar to the one above, this may be an area of potential success.

Ramos comes flying up and often does a very poor job at getting back. A natural defensive midfielder (Senna) is a bit lacking with spain (assuming no Busquets) so a guy that could fill in the hole vacated by Ramos will most likely not be there.

This is where I see the fast, talented but inconsistant, especially against top opponents, Landon Donovan perhaps having a chance to sneak one past them. Bob has had Landy parked in the space where Ramos often will vacate.

The only problem is one on one, Landy had straight strips by Brazillian backline defenders two games ago, and I rate Puyol even higher then the Samba boys.
So the need for a Senna might not exist in this match up for Spain to do as they please.

The other chip in the armor, is of course, THE SET PIECE. Hear me now!, Altidore, Dempsey, Gooch will win some headers in this game.
In fact, if Altidore can do Puyol like he did his sister Marquez, we may actually have a match on our hands. Sadly, I don't think Jozy is 100% with the toe and being subbed every match thus far. But still stealing a goal in this area of the game isn't out of the realm of possiblity.

But to be dead honest, Jozy and Donny may draw a couple fouls but we may get at most three corners for the entire 90 so we best make em count. Also Jozy and Donny have not come close to working together properly at all, which if there ever was a game to do so, this would be it.

In regards to our defensive strategy... well the less said about that the better, lets just hope Spain gets the same hookers Egypt got before our match.

[Dogmatagram]

excuse me























YEAH MOTHER FAH QUERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


















































carry on

[LBS8844]

excuse me

YEAH MOTHER FAH QUERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

carry on

I'll take 2 of whatever he's drinkin' :D

[Knave]

FYI, I think MB is suspended for the match. Anyone know for sure?

He's safe. It would have been listed here with a little yellow dot (http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=250116/match=66206/index.html).

I suspect our biggest problem isn't strategy but fatigue. We've got a lot of guys with 270 or close to 270 minutes already. On the other hand, about a quarter of the team has zero minutes: Bocanegra, Pierce, Wynne, Califf, Adu, Torres (and the third string goalkeeper, Robles). So we haven't really spread the minutes around and even the guys who have gone less than 270 minutes have still played a lot. Of the 20 field players available, we've only used 14.

[kebzach]

He's safe. It would have been listed here with a little yellow dot (http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=250116/match=66206/index.html).

I suspect our biggest problem isn't strategy but fatigue. We've got a lot of guys with 270 or close to 270 minutes already. On the other hand, about a quarter of the team has zero minutes: Bocanegra, Pierce, Wynne, Califf, Adu, Torres (and the third string goalkeeper, Robles). So we haven't really spread the minutes around and even the guys who have gone less than 270 minutes have still played a lot. Of the 20 field players available, we've only used 14.

Interesting stuff. I'd be interested in agreeing with you...but I'd like to know how many field players Spain has used in their 3 games, and how many guys have played 270 for them. Otherwise you're only painting half of your canvas.

EDIT: I did the legwork for you.

22 players have appeared for Spain- 2 GK and 20 field players.

0 players have played 270 minutes.

Games and minutes for each of the 20 field players (and sorry in advance, it's 2am and I don't care about formatting this):

8 XAVI 3 - 242
9 Fernando TORRES 3 - 240
7 David VILLA 3 - 188
20 Santi CAZORLA 3 - 112
2 Raul ALBIOL 2 - 180
3 Gerard PIQUE 2 - 180
5 Carles PUYOL 2 - 180
10 Cesc FABREGAS 2 - 180
11 Joan CAPDEVILA 2 - 180
15 SERGIO RAMOS 2 - 180
18 Albert RIERA 2 - 171
14 XABI ALONSO 2 - 144
19 Alvaro ARBELOA 2 - 126
12 Sergio BUSQUETS 2 - 98
21 DAVID SILVA 2 - 43
4 Carlos MARCHENA 1 - 90
22 Juan Manuel MATA 1 - 90
6 Pablo HERNANDEZ 1 - 30
16 Fernando LLORENTE 1 - 30
17 Daniel GUIZA 1 - 16

[Sanguine]

Go that way really fast.

If something gets in your way, turn.

[brine]

1. Maintain possession
2. Maintain possession


You realize we're playing Spain, right? Your top two points are to maintain possession against the best team in the world? Well, at least you're being realistic.

Sure, you play like gangbusters for the first 15, but then you play counter-attacking soccer. You cannot maintain possession again Spain. It will not happen. You should try to take advantage of those opportunities when you have their offense in a bad position and counter directly, fast and furious. We have speed, we should use that. Long balls over the top from Spector to Donovan...wing attacks from either flank. We need to make efficient work of fast break opportunities, because that's all we're going to get against Spain.

[Ball Chucking Hack]

Go that way really fast.

If something gets in your way, turn.
Two dollars!

[Churchdown Yank]

Fer crissakes - at least just don't get scored on in the first 10 minutes... :rolleyes:

After that I agree with the above poster - We have no chance of winning the ball possession game against Spain.

1) Keep your shape and don't make mistakes
2) When/if they make a mistake make them pay. It may only happen once.
3) Play hard for 90+ minutes guys and enjoy it

I love watching this team play - they've got heart.

-------------Davies--------------Altidore--------------

Donovan -------------------------------------Dempsey

---------------Bradley--------Torres------------------

Bornstein--------Boca?/Demerit------Onyewu----Spector

----------------------- Howard -----------------------

I look at it this way - The chances of even getting to play Spain were more remote than our chances of beating them now that we made it through. Anything can happen.

And what a great experience this tourney has been. Invaluable preparation for both WCQ and WC 2010.

[deuteronomy]

Fer crissakes - at least just don't get scored on in the first 10 minutes... :rolleyes:. Absolutely, if we make it the half without having allowed a goal anything can happen
I might also add, no stupid red cards, it appears we play better with eleven men on the field.
After that I agree with the above poster - We have no chance of winning the ball possession game against Spain.. Entirely agree, under no circumstances would it be wise to attempt to defeat Spain by playing their type game. Our best chances have come when we counterattack quickly.

1) Keep your shape and don't make mistakes
2) When/if they make a mistake make them pay. It may only happen once.
3) Play hard for 90+ minutes guys and enjoy it
I love watching this team play - they've got heart..
A good list. We have not performed well playing against the elite teams in this tournament. Now is a good chance to turn things around.
My other thought is that our best opportunities in this match may come off of set pieces.


-------------Davies--------------Altidore--------------

Donovan -------------------------------------Dempsey

---------------Bradley--------Torres------------------

Bornstein--------Boca?/Demerit------Onyewu----Spector

----------------------- Howard -----------------------.
I would make one change in this.
-------------Davies--------------Altidore--------------

Donovan -------------------------------------Dempsey

---------------Bradley--------Clark------------------

Bornstein--------Boca?/Demerit------Onyewu----Spector

----------------------- Howard -----------------------.


I look at it this way - The chances of even getting to play Spain were more remote than our chances of beating them now that we made it through. Anything can happen.

And what a great experience this tourney has been. Invaluable preparation for both WCQ and WC 2010.
Yep, I agree, it's like we are playing with house money. It is a wonderful experience when lady luck is smiling.
These extra two games will provide great experience for the United States. rep to Churchdown.

[OWN(yewu)ED]

we gotta find a way to get Adu on the field for this one, he showed wonderfully in the last meeting against them in spain.

That said, i have no objections to todays starting 11, with Tim Howard in goal of course

[bct81]

He's safe. It would have been listed here with a little yellow dot (http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=250116/match=66206/index.html).

I suspect our biggest problem isn't strategy but fatigue. We've got a lot of guys with 270 or close to 270 minutes already. On the other hand, about a quarter of the team has zero minutes: Bocanegra, Pierce, Wynne, Califf, Adu, Torres (and the third string goalkeeper, Robles). So we haven't really spread the minutes around and even the guys who have gone less than 270 minutes have still played a lot. Of the 20 field players available, we've only used 14.

back line should be fine ... defenders should not get as fatigued and the cohesion is important .... while Bornstein makes me nervous - he has a little pace and the back four should stay as is ..

I really think Dempsey is a warrior but he is clearly tired and needs to sit for Torres and come in as a sub

I would sit Davies for Adu - Adu can play as a withdrawn striker or AM and as we know he has frustrated Spain in the past

I would have Casey ready to come on if Altidore isn't at 110% strength because we need a good target forward and somebody who might be able to get by Puyols or get up and over him on set pieces ...

I have been very impressed with Donovan's consistency this tournament (except for finishing his shots) and with Gooch and Bradley Jr. as well.

This squad laid eggs the first two matches ... they played well the last match - frankly we have already played our worst .. Spain has yet to play poorly ... they could lay an egg and we could actually finish off some goals for once ... if that happens - could be a fun match.

Hopefully Bradley sr. can say very little - just have super subs ready to come in.

Let's not give up an early goal ....

[cpwilson80]

To select two things that I think must be placed at a premium for Wed:

1. Defense first. The teams that have made it difficult for Spain recently (Italy in Euro 2008, Iraq this past week) have accepted the fact that they aren't as talented and stayed compact. Cynical, but effective.

Also, I can't help but think back to the Copa America game against Argentina. We looked like we were in the game for 60 min through our intense pressure on the ball. Then fatigue set in from us chasing the ball the whole game, and the floodgates opened. We cannot get suckered in to flying all over the field to win the ball.

2. Take care of the ball. Sort of a byproduct of the "defense first" mentality. We need play slightly more cautiously, but at the same time, decisively.

If the attack is on, push forward with 4-5 guys and commit. If it's not, be patient and build from the back. No aimless long balls, no looking for a miracle pass from midfield.

My fear is that we try to venture forward with 2-3 guys and get stretched out. The last thing Spain needs is more space and time.

[Shchors]

Possession versus Spain??? That's what New Zealand tried and Spain pressured them into five easy goals. Now, I agree that we have more moxy and experience than NZ, but if we try to string short passes between the defense and midfield, we will be picking a lot of balls out of our net. Our players are just not comfortable keeping possession under pressure against good teams. Egypt was too tired to do so and we were allowed to play. We will have to play "safety first" against Spain and send balls long, preferably to two big forwards, either Altidore, Casey or Dempsey. This will keep their center backs unbalanced, since Pique and Pujol don't like to play big physical guys. Boca steps into the left back spot. LD in left mid to keep their right back honest. Stay compact with Bradley and Clark as holding mids, give up the flanks and force them to beat us with crosses and the aerial game where our center backs are strong. Press the ball early in the game in Spains' defensive third in the hope of disrupting their flow and perhaps getting a goal from a set piece or a quick break. If we don't get an early goal, its all over. They will eventually break us down if they get into their comfort zone of playing a precise passing game. If Dempsey plays up top, Feilhaber plays the right mid spot. Bring in Torres, Davies and Adu late to give us fresh legs if we are up a goal or just to give them playing time if we are losing. Go USA.

[appoo]

It should be this:

YouTube - USA PORTUGAL 1 ROUND WORLD CUP 2002