Match 22 - Slovenia vs USA - 18th June - PbP and Post Match Discussion

Damn, Jozy almost got on the end of that attack.

 

Altidore really needs to drink some coffee. That's the second nice break away his slow feet has mucked up.

 

How many times is Gooch going to leave the box wide open before someone says PLAY FURTHER BACK! What was he doing that far up? Just look at the breakdown on zonalmarking.net of the US England game, and how many times he left the space wide open by pressing:

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/06/13/england-1-1-usa-tactic/

 

And a very good run forward by Findley, he can take people on as well as run past them.

 

18' 1-0 USA throw-in 25m left touch, very poorly toward #17 Altidore flashing into the corner -- #2 Mišo Brečko steps in front.

 

Slovenia looking better than last game, can't expect them to play as bad as they did against Algeria.

 

Findley looks much sharper than Altidore.

 

wow, insane tournament

 

shut up about the ball. had nothing to do with it. as i've said, this ball has been used in argentina and no one noticed. thats on the US for not closing the man down.

those are the kind of goals scored week in week out across the WORLD

 

You're underestimating Slovenia after that draw against England. But it's still early in the game, you can turn things around.

 

Hey ESPN, do you know who Slovenia is now? C'mon Slovenia!

 

Slovenia came to play.

 

Nothing is getting past Handovic, and he's better than Howard.

 

Why do we always start out so darn slow!!!!!!! I'm not worried yet because this is typical US play.

 

Great strike

USA may pay the price for only thinking about England in this group

I believe lots were called Euro Snobs for suggesting Slovenia could beat the USA in this WC.

 

21' 1-0 USA pings around the back a bit. Up to Torres at left touch, centerward to Donovan in a pocket behind midfield -- his first touch is poor, inviting a collapsing ring of white shirts and a 55-45 -- but Donovan wins the first challenge, and suddenly has a path all the way to the box top left post! Threaded through-ball doesn't work, #1 Samir Handanovič clears.

23' 1-0 Slovenia returns the favor -- good raid up the right sideline, breaks into the box right, but overtouches it under duress, and it rolls over for a goal kick.

 

wow the replay shows that the shot wasnt even in the corner and was so close from howard , wtf was he doing

 

Its only been 20mins

 

Is there a reason Altidore is playing so sluggishly? It's like he's just trotting all over the pitch.

 

USA's d-mids are sleepwalking.. WTF

 

27' 1-0 Slovenia sets up in USA's 1/3. Their short passing/receiving is good enough to hold consistently against our lack of pressure, and their 1-v-1 sprints are as fast as our defenders. We have no physical advantage when Slovenia attacks. That looks like it will be a constant threat all match long.

OTOH, we've faced down some pretty good attacking sides recently.

 

What are you going on about here? Did you even read my post before you made your own or did you just fly into a rage when you saw "jabulani"? In which case, you might want to follow your own advice.

 

Not sure why anyone would suggest that. The US has actually fared well against the group favorites over the years (Portugal, Colombia, Italy, and now England). And we've lost to the second-tier European sides every time (Poland, Romania, Czech Republic) - sometimes badly. Not to mention Iran and Ghana.

 

Otoh?

 

29' 1-0 Slovenia free kick from 36m left edge. #4 Bradley heads it clear, #1 Howard runs 25m outside his box left and slides to clear it for a throw-in, saving the corner. USA steals the throw-in, clears upfield.

31' 1-0 Slovenia long ball to box top center. #11 Milivoje Novakovič runs on and gets an uncontrolled head-touch as #5 Oguchi Onyewu challenges heavily. Both sprawl through box top center, Howard collects. No call.