Weakness vs. Paraguay

[rollo]

Given that I do not know enough about the Paraguay players that are coming to assess what kind of challenge they will pose, I will assume the general characteristics of Paraguayan teams will be there in terms of ball control, athleticism, and rough play. The team that BA has assembled I think will have the following weaknesses against Paraguay:

1. Trouble keeping possesion. Reyna will probably not be sharp enough to make a difference yet. The other players on the squad are probably not enough to keep possesion against a pressuring and physical Paraguayan squad.

2. Except for Bocanegra, the defense will be suspect with Frankie giving heart attack tackles near our penalty area, Califf committing some major biff, and Gibbs still being unsure at times. If let the Parauayans into the match, the defense will look suspect as Mastroeni gets left standing in the midfiekld watching the Paraguayan attack unfold behind him. Here is a chance for Gibbs and Califf to show they belong and prove me wrong.

3. Finishing? McBride will be huge for us here and will give the others space and time to finish on goal by being the focus of attention as the attack builds. If this doesn't work, I do not think we will have such a speed advantage so that just running fast will not be enough. If they bunker it will be a long day without McBride.

These are my foolish thoughts. Any ideas out there?

[rollo]

Ooops!!!

Guess the name of the thread should have been Weaknesses AGAINST Paraguay

;)

[fluidsoccer]

Paraguay is typically a strong team defensively, which is going to make our goal drought even tougher to overcome. However, I think the addition of McBride and Wolff to our roster may help that issue. Now we have some size, and now we have more speed, two things that were missing the most in the ConCup. Still, I can't see us scoring more than two goals. Doesn't seem like a lot, but 2 would be double our output in France.

This isn't going to be the game our defense arrives...not yet. We are still working out the kinks, forming chemistry, and seeing who does or who doesn't belong. I see us giving up at least one goal, but hopefully Boca keeps us organized enough so that the flood gates don't open.

As far as our midfield goes, I am just waiting for something to click. We have SO much potential and SO many good players in the position, that I think the brilliance is on the horizon. IMHO, that moment our offense gets a jolt is when Bruce tries a 3-5-2. Get our best players on the field! And a 3-5-2 is just the way to do it. Whether it happens against Paraguay or not, I'm not sure. But I do know that the arrival of our midfield is something that American soccer fans are eagerly anticipating.

I suppose that my prediction is 2-1, us. We score a goal in the first half, they get one back, but only before we win it late.

May the midfield puzzle be solved!!!!!

[Nutmeg]

Our biggest weakness will be that we have always struggled to score on teams that use an effective bunker and counter strategy. Paraguay has historically (in the past 10 years at least) used that tactic better than any other team in the world, except Italy.

This will be a tough game for the US.

[lasoccervegas2002]

so anybody knows what is the weaknesses of the Paraguay squad ? they looked so strong in Korea last year and lost in the very tight matches, to me they are similar to Argentina, but, they're coming with their new players so, i expect the team weaker than last year, 1-0 USA.

[fluidsoccer]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
Our biggest weakness will be that we have always struggled to score on teams that use an effective bunker and counter strategy. Paraguay has historically (in the past 10 years at least) used that tactic better than any other team in the world, except Italy.

This will be a tough game for the US.

I coach a team and I call "bunker and counter" soccer "Paraguay." I just associate that style with them, even more than Italy.
However, I've only seen them play in World Cups, where bunker ball is sometimes a good idea, especially if you're drawn in a group with Nigeria and Spain (98) or playing in a 2nd round game against France (98) or Germany (02.) Is that their style all of the time or just in big games?

Nutmeg, you're right. I don't think this will be the game we come out of our mini-rut. However, I do think we'll get a result, but it won't be pretty.

[rollo]

Originally posted by Nutmeg
Our biggest weakness will be that we have always struggled to score on teams that use an effective bunker and counter strategy. Paraguay has historically (in the past 10 years at least) used that tactic better than any other team in the world, except Italy.

This will be a tough game for the US.

In a way this is exactly one of the things we need - probably all tough games are good games to have.

I think our midfield needs two fundamental things, trapping and holding under pressure, and movement. I think the latter will improve with games and hope the former will improve with practice.

That aside,

It will truly be a good test for Pablo because on the counter he will have to read the game well enough to not make challenges that miss and take him out of the play (ala Argentina).

It will be a great test for our ability to attack a bunkered defense which we haven't really shown the ability to do or have had much opportunity to do so. I think this group is better than any we had before in being able to od this and really need to learn how to score without the space provided in a counter attack. This means more creativity in the final third something which I do not see much from Beasely, McBride, Convey, or Wolf. Mathis and Donovan can do this but we need these other guys to raise to that same level in terms of combinations that will free up someone to get a shot off.

Last but not least, if Gibbs and Hedjuk get caught upfield during a counter, I want to see how the center backs and defensive mids deal with it.

[Mglnbea]

FWIW, Paraguay defeated El Salvador, 1-0, Wednesday night in San Francisco. That's not too earth shattering, is it?

[MLS_RM]

our biggest weakness is heydude light. aka Convey. he cannot shoot or pass to save his life. all dribble no touch.

[encinitas]

Originally posted by Mglnbea
FWIW, Paraguay defeated El Salvador, 1-0, Wednesday night in San Francisco. That's not too earth shattering, is it?

El Salvador beat Mexico 2-1 and we tied Mexico... SO what does that say..
It's soccer S^it happens