Your Teams starting 11

[70runner]

I think the US can advance from this group.

Not sure about this. Both the Dutch and Nigerians displayed considerable speed and attacking maneuverability at midfield, though neither scored. The USA strength is not at midfield - Bradley will look ponderous against either of these teams. He'll likely be slide tackling all day to try to keep up.

I'd be pleasantly surprised if the USA beat either of these teams :(

[FW__]

Not sure about this. Both the Dutch and Nigerians displayed considerable speed and attacking maneuverability at midfield, though neither scored. The USA strength is not at midfield - Bradley will look ponderous against either of these teams. He'll likely be slide tackling all day to try to keep up.

I'd be pleasantly surprised if the USA beat either of these teams :(

Well I did say "can" not will

[johan neeskens]

Not sure about this. Both the Dutch and Nigerians displayed considerable speed and attacking maneuverability at midfield(

Funny you should say that. The Holland manager commented after the game that Evander Sno played at the speed of the 80-year war (for those of you who don't get it: progress was very slow in that war)

[scotch17]

Funny you should say that. The Holland manager commented after the game that Evander Sno played at the speed of the 80-year war (for those of you who don't get it: progress was very slow in that war)

Yea but that's a typical criticism of Sno (even at Celtic reserves) whose looked very lazy and ponderous. On the other hand, I think Maduro did well.
Also any chance I could get a link to that article? :p

[CFCkm7]

Will the US vs Holland game be on MSNBC?

[Branc3399]

I'll tell you guys what. I am sick and tired of these Euro Snobs! The Dutch coach went out of his way to knock our team! I hope that Jozy starts and I hope that Adu continues doing what he did the first game. I think we are solid enough in the back to make this a game! I can't wait for our boys to shock the world! Holland constantly puts itself in this position with their arrogance and honestly we may have another Russia-Holland situation here with the underdog taking it. They have a great team but zip the lip already!

[VCFan]

I'll tell you guys what. I am sick and tired of these Euro Snobs! The Dutch coach went out of his way to knock our team! I hope that Jozy starts and I hope that Adu continues doing what he did the first game. I think we are solid enough in the back to make this a game! I can't wait for our boys to shock the world! Holland constantly puts itself in this position with their arrogance and honestly we may have another Russia-Holland situation here with the underdog taking it. They have a great team but zip the lip already!

Do you think this USA team is comparable to that Russian team with Arshavin in any way? Because the US has a good chance of winning, but I highly doubt it will be a blowout. Also, this isn't the senior Dutch team. This U21 squad has a winning tradition and they know how to play gritty football.

[Branc3399]

This team is not comparable to the Russian Senior Side. Just using an example of a Dutch team being beaten by an underdog. I'm surprised it doesn't seem to bother anyone else that this arrogant coach comes out and says that our American team is not of the same quality basically implying that they will beat us easily.

[scotch17]

This team is not comparable to the Russian Senior Side. Just using an example of a Dutch team being beaten by an underdog. I'm surprised it doesn't seem to bother anyone else that this arrogant coach comes out and says that our American team is not of the same quality basically implying that they will beat us easily.

People who considered Russia gross underdogs in that game might be a little naive. Russias got some top quality players, and we all know Hiddinks' track record.
Anyway, the US team isn't the same quality; but you only need to play for a draw and let the Dutch impload as they are want to do. So why over-react to it? They need the win, you don't.
He'll probably say the same thing about Japan in a couple of days. And with the exception of Uchida, I'd have to agree with him.

[FW__]

Will the US vs Holland game be on MSNBC?

Next 2 matches are on USA Network

[man_in_the_middle]

Just a few thoughts.

Forwards: Adu was playing as a striker yesterday. There was nothing midfield about the way he was playing. And he played poorly partnered with McBride. The US looked more dangerous with Altidore in the lineup. Jozy brings more speed than McBride. That need to be the partnership against the Dutch.

The midfield was poor. Klejstan has creative ideas and mentality. But like people have said he was just giving the ball away against Japan. If he plays he needs to play closer to goal, rather than as a withdrawn center mid. Bradley is just the opposite. Refuses to make anything other than a lateral or back pass. I have herd people saying how Holden was invisible, but every touch he took was a good one. Rogers looked flashy, but had a bit of Adu syndrome holding onto the ball too long.

The Defense: Edu looked like an excellent stopper, and Wynne was a man among boys. But what can Nowak really change with the subs we have?

We have to make some serious changes for Holland if we hope to come away with a result. This is how I would lineup.

------------------------- Guzan -------------------------

------ Wynne ------- Edu ----- Parkhurst ---- Orozco ----

------------- Feilhaber -- Bradley -- Holden --------------

-------------------------- Adu --------------------------

--------------- Altidore ---------- Rogers ----------------

I usually like Sasha but he may provide a creative spark coming off the bench, after defenders legs start to wear down. McBride could probably use the rest. And I think by playing with Altidore and Rogers as strikers, there will be more space for Adu to do his thing. McBride can't run the channels in the same way. And the trio behind Adu, would do the best job shielding the back, and maintaining possession.

What are your thoughts?

[scotch17]

Keep in mind when Altidore came on Japan was desperately pushing for a goal, so it's a little unfair to compare them when McBride was kept under close watch. That said, I'd agree Altidore is the CF you want to go with.
The problem you'd have with that formation is containing Netherlands' wide players which they'll use to counter-attack. I don't really know a solution for that. The biggest issue US has had, in my opinion, is failure to use the wings. If Wynne came up more he'd cause some problems but might also leave you open to the aforementioned dutch speciality: counter.
You may consider using a 4-2-3-1 with same players: withdrawing Rogers to the left of Adu and moving Holden to the right of him. This would be very much like France 2006 where Adu attempts to be Zidane; Bradley/Benny Viera/Makalele; Wynne Abidal**; Rogers/Holden Ribery/Malouda. Having 2 DMs would sufficiently guard against the counter and allow Wynne to transition into the attack. But that's just my 2 cents.

**I know they're opposite sides, but still the primary fullback you want venturing forward.

[man_in_the_middle]

I certainly see what your saying about Altidore coming on later. And I can also see us using a 4-2-3-1. It has it's advantages. But I just hated seeing how Adu got swarmed against the Japanese. And I didn't like how he was receiving the ball with his back to the goal. I fear the defense could take him away in a similar manor.

But IMO the 4-3-1-2 actually protects the wings better than the 4-2-3-1. It is almost like having 3 holding mids instead of 2. For instance if Drenthe is Marauding down the left flank. The RCM will shift and become the RM, and the CM will become the RCM. The space will not be left open defensively.

I figure since our mids never seem to make overlapping runs anyway why not let Adu play the point, and spearhead an attack with two other goal scoring options.

Offensively we won't have much wing play. I'm with you in the hope Wynne will develop into a back who pushes up. It was his rush that really produced the goal. But since we don't use the wings effectively anyway, and we were not able to provide McBride with services, it won't be much of a loss.

[CFCkm7]

Next 2 matches are on USA Network
Thanks, appreciate it.

[70runner]

middle...good thoughts. Other than headers I wasn't especially impressed with McBride. US seemed much more energetic up front with Altidore. As you noted, midfield was subpar. Bradley, as he often does with the senior team, plays space. He wasn't marking anyone during the critical last 10-15min when Japan was pressing - wandering around aimlessly. He has neither the skill or speed to keep up with talented midfielders. So all his touches are played toward own goal. I fear the Dutch and Nigerians will exploit the weak US midfield...which will inevitably lead to good scoring opportunities.

[scotch17]

But I just hated seeing how Adu got swarmed against the Japanese. And I didn't like how he was receiving the ball with his back to the goal. I fear the defense could take him away in a similar manor.

In the 4-2-3-1, Adu is given 3 players to interact with freely, 4 when Wynne or a DM moves up to assist. In France06 style, the "wingers" aren't really set in spot -- there was quite a bit of movement as those 4 attackers (Zidane, Ribery, Malouda, Henry) showed up all over the pitch with Viera always sitting behind them as an outlet to pass back to. In this way Adu shouldn't be receiving with his back but should be the orchestrator -- if he can handle that.
To me 3 holding MFs is just too much... I think you'd end up with the same defensive playstyle, nothing going forward, and little support to Adu. At the end of the US-Japan match you guys had something like 5 holding MFs on the field (counting Edu, I cheat :p) and still couldn't retain possession or stop them from penetrating into the box several times. On paper, the Dutch have a better midfield than Japan in addition to strikers who can actually finish.

[scotch17]

Well, I'll take my crow now. 2 goals against the Dutch is more than sitting on your rear hoping for 1-0s and ties.

http://jonreid.blogs.com/oneanother/eat-crow.jpg

[man_in_the_middle]

Hard to complain about their performance at this point. Adu was infinitely better. Klejstan has been fantastic today. Orozco has had his moments. This has been very encouraging.

[FW__]

I feel like my heart was ripped out of my chest. The US totally dominated the Dutch after about the 20th minute and deserved the 3 points. I give the Dutch credit for not giving up and tying it, but the US showed they can play with (more than play with) the Dutch.

Anyway, the Dutch and Nigeria will advance now since Adu and Bradley will miss the Nigeria match due to yellow card accumulation.

[rslgoonermassacre]

I feel like my heart was ripped out of my chest. The US totally dominated the Dutch after about the 20th minute and deserved the 3 points. I give the Dutch credit for not giving up and tying it, but the US showed they can play with (more than play with) the Dutch.

Anyway, the Dutch and Nigeria will advance now since Adu and Bradley will miss the Nigeria match due to yellow card accumulation.


Don't count these boys out yet! Nobody gave them a chance and yet here we are needing only a tie to get out of the group stages, and playing a Nigerian side that is missing players of its own.

Losing Freddy and Bradley hurts, but I still think that the US can get it done.

If Holden passes the ball to Sacha instead of shooting on that breakaway the US walks into the next round with a 3-2 win instead of a tie.