Bold Prediction for the match in Dortmund

[ChelseaMatt]

USA over Germany on home soil: 2-1. One of the goals will be scored by Donovan, who will benefit from a stellar performance by Mastroeni to give him room to work with in the middle third to find a path toward goal. However, this achievement will be minimalized by the European media, and will not be covered by the American sports media. The German parliament will attempt to issue a warrant for Klinsmann's arrest should he try to leave the country afterward, and the drama will end up tying up the highest court in Europe in Brussels after several appeals.

But seriously, after watching the Italy vs. Germany match, I don't know whether to be licking my chops for the Germany match or fearful about the Italy match. I don't think that Italy did anything spectacular in the game as far as individual performances, but their ball movement was superb. And Camoranesi had a spectacular game. We'll have to have Mastroeni marking him like duct tape. I think Gooch could do well with Luca Toni, but we're going to need at least Reyna, if not O'Brien as well to create something on the attacking end. Any time Germany got past midfield, it seemed like they fell apart. I think soothsayers who are predicting Germany to get into the final rounds aren't taking into account how green this team is: they panicked at every possible opportunity. Ballack and Klose were invisible. Can anyone provide any insight as to how they were completely shut down? How do we create opportunities against this midfield of Italy's? I've got to admit, Italy are looking good, and I'm a little more apprehensive about the matchup. And in the interim, what can we take away from Italy's performance to shut down Ballack and Klose?

[SC LaPurisma]

Maybe 4-5-1 and look to counter on the wings.....we used 4-5-1 and two Defensive Midfielders against Portugal. There is always a way.

[thigpig]

I don't see that German team giving up 2 goals. After losing to Italy like that they are going to be extremely motivated to get a result against us (considered weak) with the home support.

A draw is the best we can hope for. They've got something to prove and they sure as hell are going to make sure we don't get 2 goals.

[ChelseaMatt]

I don't see that German team giving up 2 goals. After losing to Italy like that they are going to be extremely motivated to get a result against us (considered weak) with the home support.

A draw is the best we can hope for. They've got something to prove and they sure as hell are going to make sure we don't get 2 goals.
They're so weak at the back. We'll definitely score goals. The question is how many. I think 2 is a conservative estimate.

[roadkit]

A draw is the best we can hope for.

I don't buy into this mentality. We can beat Germany. Will it be easy? No. Can it be done? Absolutely.

[TrickHog]

My prediction:

If we beat Germany, there will be a boatload of "That game means nothing. Germany is crap. It was only a friendly. So-and-so wasn't playing. We won but they dominated play." comments on bs.

If we lose to Germnay, there will be a boatload of "See, the US team sucks when playing against strong Euro teams. We're going to get our butts kicked in June. So-and-so was awful and should never wear the US jersey again. Fire Arena!" comments on bs.

:)

[Jabinho]

If we lose to Germany, there will be a boatload of "See, the US team sucks when playing against strong Euro teams...
If we lose there will be Euro headlines that say "Weakened German Side Tops USA" if even one regular isn't playing for Germany (many won't) , never noting that the USA played a mostly domestic team.. I've seen this so many times..:rolleyes:

[Bigrose30]

Since we probbaly won't have our non-German based Euro players, we'll be pretty short-handed...and even more so if the Revs or Galaxy manage to advance in the Concacaf champions cup. If the worst case scenario prevails, we'll be missing the following players, injuries included:

4 G: Howard, Hahneman, Reis, Hartman
8 D: Bocanegra, Spector, Lewis, Gibbs, Pearce, Onyewu, Dunivant, Albright
9 M: Reyna, Convey, Beasley, O'Brien, Dempsey, Noonan, Ralston, Donovan, Armas
2 S: McBride, Twellman

That's 23 players we could possibly be missing, and it's possible that list could be expanded due to injury by the time the 22nd rolls around. It's also very possible that we'll have the New England and LA Galaxy contingent available, and very possible that we could manage to get a few other Euros released.

The bottom line is, I would hesitate to make a bold prediction on this game, because our roster could quite easily be near full strength, and just as easily we could be struggling to field a competive 11.

[Raulduke]

Look for the Germans to play better because they are on their home soil and the USA is not as good as Italy.

Most likely score line 0-0, 1-0(either way) or 1-1

[Dr.Phil]

I think this game will mean a lot Klinnsman cannot afford a loss right now he will be looking to prove the German media wrong

[DutchFootballRulez]

Has Germany announced the 23 for the match yet?

[roadkit]

the USA is not as good as Italy.

And this statement is based on what evidence?

[aarond23]

Yeah I think the odds are stacked against the US on this one but anything is possible. If nothing else it will get some of the MLS guys (EJ, Twellman) some work against top flight opposition.

I think we have got to the point where they can have the run of play with other CONCACAF teams and playing against Germany will help the MLS players even more.

[bigtimebuck4]

Hate to say it, but I see a 2-0 Germany win here. Of course thats assuming we will be w/out the England folks and our Rev and Galaxy players.

[bbsbt]

My prediction:

If we beat Germany, there will be a boatload of "That game means nothing. Germany is crap. It was only a friendly. So-and-so wasn't playing. We won but they dominated play." comments on bs.

If we lose to Germnay, there will be a boatload of "See, the US team sucks when playing against strong Euro teams. We're going to get our butts kicked in June. So-and-so was awful and should never wear the US jersey again. Fire Arena!" comments on bs.
:)
So, the best outcome: A tie!

[El-Professor]

Since we probbaly won't have our non-German based Euro players, we'll be pretty short-handed...and even more so if the Revs or Galaxy manage to advance in the Concacaf champions cup. If the worst case scenario prevails, we'll be missing the following players, injuries included:

4 G: Howard, Hahneman, Reis, Hartman
8 D: Bocanegra, Spector, Lewis, Gibbs, Pearce, Onyewu, Dunivant, Albright
9 M: Reyna, Convey, Beasley, O'Brien, Dempsey, Noonan, Ralston, Donovan, Armas
2 S: McBride, Twellman

That's 23 players we could possibly be missing, and it's possible that list could be expanded due to injury by the time the 22nd rolls around. It's also very possible that we'll have the New England and LA Galaxy contingent available, and very possible that we could manage to get a few other Euros released.

The bottom line is, I would hesitate to make a bold prediction on this game, because our roster could quite easily be near full strength, and just as easily we could be struggling to field a competive 11.

If we're this shorthanded does The Bruce bring in any new players currently in German leagues? e.g. Joy, Feilhaber.

[Bigrose30]

If we're this shorthanded does The Bruce bring in any new players currently in German leagues? e.g. Joy, Feilhaber.


I doubt you'll see anyone new a month before Bruce is going to pick his team.

[carpediem175]

All that is needed for a victory is lots of pressure and an early goal. If we score in the first say 10-15 mins. I can see Germany going into panic mode and making it worse for them. If we could get them back on thier heels from opening kick, we might have a shot. Of course this is a tall order, especially with the team we are likely to field. A slow methodical game will not benefit us, against this team. They will want to come out fireing, so we need to go right back at them.

[Nimbus2000]

In hindsight this game may be a lot like the 2002 presidential election: a good one to lose by a narrow margin.

- Remain a little under the radar.
- Keep the team hungry but not feeling inferior
- Go into the WC with something to prove

As much fun as it would be to win, playing well and building confidence is the priority.

[Asprilla9]

i predict Donovan will have a DREADFUL performance. and i'm one of LD's biggest supporters. i think the "he failed at Bayer" thing will get inside his head.

of course, i hope that doesn't happen. but i think he'll be awful that day but he'll get it out of his system before the WC and perform wonderfully there.