Matchups are everything...

[cyberthoth]

There's been a lot of talk about our chances of landing in a group with tough teams vs weak teams...I think the important thing is landing in a group with ideal matchups for us.

There's a reason we beat Mexico consistently along with sending Portugal home...it's that we do well against skilled-but unathletic (at least compared to us) teams. They really struggle with our aggressive pressure. From that standpoint I'd love to see our top seed be Spain or Italy or Argentina.

I also think we seem to do well against athletic but less organized teams. We probalby have one of the more athletic backlines with Gibbs/Gooch/Boca. I do not think the African teams will cause us nearly as much trouble as others do.

The flipside to this is our weakness...tall skilled teams. We want no part of England, Germany, Holland or Sweden. These teams always seem to give us trouble.

[ElRoss425]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing, but I'd love to give England a good ass-whipping.

[Asprilla9]

I also think we seem to do well against athletic but less organized teams. We probalby have one of the more athletic backlines with Gibbs/Gooch/Boca. I do not think the African teams will cause us nearly as much trouble as others do.yeah but they could dominate our midfield physically. 2 of our mids are puny little dudes (LD and DMB). 2 others are very injury prone (Reyna and JOB).

Togo and Cote D'Voire will snap our midfielders in half and eat them for a mid-afternoon snack.

[mattjo]

yeah but they could dominate our midfield physically. 2 of our mids are puny little dudes (LD and DMB). 2 others are very injury prone (Reyna and JOB).

Togo and Cote D'Voire will snap our midfielders in half and eat them for a mid-afternoon snack.

Is that a cardable offense? :)

[Asprilla9]

Is that a cardable offense? :)yes it is, unless the tournament's in a cannabalism-sanctioned country. so, needless to say, at New Guinea 2026 ... watch your back. :eek: :p

[sidefootsitter]

... There's a reason we beat Mexico consistently along with sending Portugal home...it's that we do well against skilled-but unathletic (at least compared to us) teams. They really struggle with our aggressive pressure. From that standpoint I'd love to see our top seed be Spain or Italy or Argentina... Actually, Mexico is plenty athletic. They really didn't give an inch to Brazil speedwise. They gave up height to Germany since they don't have players much over 6'1" ("El Masa" Rodriguez is 6'2" and he didn't play) whereas Germany fielded 3-4 players over 6'3".

Italy can come with enough muscle in the box if Lippi choses to pair Vieri (voted the worst player in the league by the fans, btw) and/or Toni and/or Iaquinta. They can also put a ton of skill behind them in Totti, del Piero and Cassano, though usually not all of them at once.

And, of course, the US has not played the number one Italian line-up.

Spain can put a lot of skill out there as well. Its most potent line-up, IMO, had Torres and Raul upfront with Vicente on the left, Joaquin on the right and either Reyes or Luis Garcia in the hole. Any of these players could probably take any of the US players off the dribble and whoever plays left-flank for Arena would have a lot of trouble in an open space out there.

Once again, the US has not played the best Spanish line-up either.

[GOOOOAL!!]

Agreed, the matchups are the most important, not the overall ranking of the team.

The other factor that always happens, but is never talked about in advance is the referee crew. I'd hate to have an English ref when we play against an Aftrican team. We'd get phyiscally killed. Now with a Brazilian ref, it would be a much less physical game and we'd have a chance to shine and live for another day.

Just a thought.

I know US Soccer is putting together the bio and tendencies of all of the potential refs. This WC it is already a much smaller group than in years past. Expect to see some similar refs during the run up games so that the players get used to the styles. They won't know the exact ref until close to game day at the WC, but they'll know which ones we can't get because of who else is in the group.

[Dr.Phil]

I think England, Germany, Mexico, and France would be easier draws then a lot of the others

[Rob Base]

Our matchups from Pots 2 and 3 are more important than the one from the seed pot. Our best bet is a seeded team that sweeps the group, giving no points to the teams from Pots 2 and 3, then we hope for favorable matchups from those groups.

[Bob Morocco]

Our matchups from Pots 2 and 3 are more important than the one from the seed pot. Our best bet is a seeded team that sweeps the group, giving no points to the teams from Pots 2 and 3, then we hope for favorable matchups from those groups.

I want Brazil and two minnows.

[rlrcpa]

There's been a lot of talk about our chances of landing in a group with tough teams vs weak teams...I think the important thing is landing in a group with ideal matchups for us.

There's a reason we beat Mexico consistently along with sending Portugal home...it's that we do well against skilled-but unathletic (at least compared to us) teams. They really struggle with our aggressive pressure. From that standpoint I'd love to see our top seed be Spain or Italy or Argentina.

I also think we seem to do well against athletic but less organized teams. We probalby have one of the more athletic backlines with Gibbs/Gooch/Boca. I do not think the African teams will cause us nearly as much trouble as others do.

The flipside to this is our weakness...tall skilled teams. We want no part of England, Germany, Holland or Sweden. These teams always seem to give us trouble.

Great Post!

I have been thinking along the same lines. I think it would be best for us to be drawn in a group with Spain, Italy, or Argentina.