Germany: United States [R]

[Zeppelin]

Not Baumann, because he´s always injured. :(

Hard to make a prediction,
but i hope the Dortmund fans support the team
after the Woerns things,
but i am confident they will.

Hope for a German win.

I am sure the Dortmund fans will do that, since it's now about the national pride, it's all now about being a German .....

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

Well, after Klinsmann made sure to call up Kehl they will, at least I hope they will.
I read on Spiegel online that the DFB wants to confiscate all banners that are anti-Klinsmann.

This would be infantile by the DFB,
many officials seem to be allergic
to dissenting opinions in the last time.

---

Yes, Spiegel.de has some interesting articles
and IMHO the number of football-related articles
increased a lot in the last time.

Btw: I like this one about the meeting today at the chancellor:

Merkel is a Klinsmann fan
link to original article (http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/0,1518,406216,00.html)
http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,596316,00.jpg
Perhaps Juergen got some new ideas from chancellor Merkel :D

Chancellor Merkel advises Klinsmann not to change things,
because of critics:
"It´s the right way to put trust on the young players.
You (Klinsmann) changed old structures and established new methods.
If it works, you did all correct, if not, criticisms comes."
She also gave him confidence for the WC,
"1974 we won the title, 16 years later in 1990
and now 16 years later it´s 2006.
We have always been a tournament team."
and thanked Beckenbauer for his work at the OK.
(free translation)

Beckenbauer made as always comments about Klinsis residence:
"It´s good to have Juergen back.
He´s tired of the sun. Too much sun is not good."
( typical Beckenbauer statement :D )

[Dead Fingers]

US roster for Germany

Goalkeepers

Hahnemann, Marcus Reading FC (England)
Keller, Kasey Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)

Defenders

Berhalter, Gregg Energie Cottbus (Germany)
Cherundolo. Steve Hannover 96 (Germany)
Conrad, Jimmy Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Gibbs, Cory ADO Den Haag (the Netherlands)
Hejduk, Frankie Columbus Crew (MLS)
Pearce, Heath FC Nordsjælland (Denmark)
Pope, Eddie Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Midfielders

Convey, Bobby Reading (England)
Donovan, Landon Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Klein, Chris Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Mastroeni, Pablo Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Olsen, Ben DC United (MLS)
Zavagnin, Kerry Kansas City Wizards (MLS)

Forwards

Ching, Brian Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Johnson, Eddie Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Twellman, Taylor New England Revolution (MLS)
Wolff, Josh Kansas City Wizards (MLS)

[Mehr]

Germany should easily win this game, especially bouncing off that game against Italy. I think its time Klinsmann look into the classic 3-5-2 formation. It would improve our defense greatly and make use of our biggest weapon, midfield. My lineup...

---------------------Kahn
--------Mertesacker-Fahrenhorst-Metzelder
-----------------Borowski-Kehl
Frings--------------------------------------Lahm
--------------------Ballack
-----------------Klose-----Podolski

It would be very difficult to beat us in the air with that backline..not to mention Borowski and Kehl are both tall and good in the air. Another option is to place Kehl in Fahrenhorst's place. Frings and Lahm are both good in attack and defense. Ballack would be left to attack at will and not have to worry about defensive duty.

However if Klinsmann must stick with 4-4-2.

-------------------Kahn
Owoyomela---Fahrenhorst-Metzelder---Lahm
--------------------Kehl
Frings---------------------------------------Borowski
--------------------Ballack
-----------------Klose----Podolski

I am very glad that Klinsmann called up M. Friedrich. He is very talented..quick and good in the air. I am suprised he is not on a bigger team.

[Mehr]

OK. Deisler is definitely out of the USA game because he needs keyhole surgery on his right knee. Lets pray to God that its nothing serious.

But i think its a good time to try out a midfield combo that might just work very well and balance as well.

---------Kehl
Frings---------Borowoski
--------Ballack

I think this might be a VERY balanced midfield and it ensures that all the players play in the position that they play for their clubs. Arguably all of these players are the orm players for their club at this point as well.

We also then have Schweini and Bernd Schneider in the reserves and we can bring them on for either wing. Gives us rotation chances as well.

The whole team shuld be like this.

----------Kahn
Owom-Metze-Merte-Lahm
----------Kehl
Frings-------------Borowoski
----------Ballack
---Klose---------Poldi

I really like the look of that lineup :) Owow ahead of a horrendous Arne and Manuel F to come in at any time during the game because Klinsi has picked him.

Maybe even Arne as center half. I am sorely disappointed to see Kiessling miss out. He would have been superb!

And why not Frank Baumann?

II agree but why not consider Fahrenhorst? He is in form and was playing top quality opposition in champions league? Baumann should also be called up considered our weak defensive midfield position. I agree with Kiessling and also think Odonkor should be given a shot. His pace is a nightmare for defenders.

[smithfan]

--------------------Kahn----------------------
--Lahm---M.Friedrich---Mertesacker---Jansen--
--------------------Kehl----------------------
-----Frings------------------Borowski---------
------------------Ballack----------------------
------Klose---------------Podolski-------------

or a bit more defensively:

--------------------Kahn----------------------
--Lahm---M.Friedrich---Mertesacker---Jansen--
---------------Kehl----Borowski (Ernst?)-------
----Frings---------------------Schweinsteiger-
-----------------Ballack----------------------
------------------Klose-----------------------

[Crazy_Yank]

The US will definitely try to avoid giving up 4 goals. Usually the US pressures a whole lot in the midfield. I think they may play a little deeper and try to counter-attack. They will be bringing a few taller players to defend set pieces too. They will take a good look at Cory Gibbs, back from injury, to see if he's a WC candidate. Freddy Adu will not play:) .

Good luck and hopefully no injuries.


We beat Germany 3-0 and 3-1 in the previous 2 friendlies before that. They they kicked our ass. Of course the last match was the 1-0 world cup loss.

[Crazy_Yank]

Germany should easily win this game, especially bouncing off that game against Italy. I think its time Klinsmann look into the classic 3-5-2 formation. It would improve our defense greatly and make use of our biggest weapon, midfield. My lineup...




If you think this is going to be an easy win you don't know anything about the US. Underestimate as at your peril. This isn't 1985.

[Mehr]

If you think this is going to be an easy win you don't know anything about the US. Underestimate as at your peril. This isn't 1985.

I am not underestimating U.S. I live in the U.S. and see every game. They are a solid well organized team. Not that talented but they make up for it with their teamwork and fitness.

Fact is you will be missing your top players and the game is in Germany. So yes Germany should easily take this one.

[F96]

I am not underestimating U.S. I live in the U.S. and see every game. They are a solid well organized team. Not that talented but they make up for it with their teamwork and fitness.

Fact is you will be missing your top players and the game is in Germany. So yes Germany should easily take this one.

The SHOULD but they won't. :/

[sarabella]

I'm really looking forward to this game, particularly seeing the German players. Most of them I haven't seen live.

[smithfan]

Our players will be motivated. If Kehl plays, I even think that our defense will be pretty solid. He's the best German defensive midfielder. He would make sure that the other midfielders have enough space and time to contribute to our strikers.

[Jagermeister]

I am not underestimating U.S. I live in the U.S. and see every game. They are a solid well organized team. Not that talented but they make up for it with their teamwork and fitness.

Fact is you will be missing your top players and the game is in Germany. So yes Germany should easily take this one.

Nail meet head.

If the US gives up an early goal it could spell real trouble for us.

It seems that some of our posters are giving our MLS guys a bit too much credit, and the German team too little if you ask me. I defend the US against the average Euro elitist at every turn (oh yeah, Poland didn't run all over us, did they? fools), but this is a very different animal.

No predictions here, I'm just hoping to be pleasantly surprised, but for the first time in a long time (that's nice to say) I have no expectations, and I think we could be given a lesson on the 22nd.

Maybe, that wouldn't be a bad thing. We will see.

This is a great test for MLS, with a few exceptions, but I think we should prepare mentally for what will probably happen.

Germany pushing hard, looking decisive, forcing play and getting more opportunities than we have seen a team get on us in a long time.
Prepare any other way at your own risk.

Our depth is certainly getting better, but against this type of team, in their stadium, we need all of our players.

That simple.

[bltleo]

DONOVAN IS OUT for the game:

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_280820.html

and I wanted to go to Dortmund to see Landon!:)
And he is out!

Bltleo

[bbsbt]

If you think this is going to be an easy win you don't know anything about the US. Underestimate as at your peril. This isn't 1985.Well, considering that now Donovan is also out of the line-up, you may have to retract your first sentence.

[Dead Fingers]

To tell you the truth, Donovan has not been really stellar the last few games out. Beides, this is, for the USA, not about the result, but about some of those bubble players. Even w/ Landon this was still going to be our B squad.

Not about the result, but about perfomance of certain individuals.

[scorpio81]

Not about the result, but about perfomance of certain individuals.



will you still say that after they beat germany? :o

[Dead Fingers]

will you still say that after they beat germany? :o


You can always say "great we won the game", but knowing that we are only brining a squad full of bubble players...I also won't say the sky is falling if Germany crush us. As for Germany, they are looking at a few other things, such as "rebounding from their loss and gelling more with each other. Maybe they "need a win", but I would not get too worked up over it.

Unfortunately...I love both teams.

[Jagermeister]

will you still say that after they beat germany? :o

If this team beats Germany it will be a great advert for MLS.

Plain and simple. Great.

[scorpio81]

i only ask cos i cant see any positives from this game for germany... :(


if they win nicely, it was against backup players from a second rate league...

if they sneak a win or worse - draw or lose - well, lets not even go there! :eek: