USA vs. Slovenia, World Cup, Pregame Thread

Wow, Slovenia looked much worse than I expected. We need Torres to break the bunker, and probably Buddle, as Findley's speed won't stretch a side that's already hanging back. If Bradley has our boys prepared, we should be able to win this one.

 

The US is certainly used to CONCACAF teams who park the bus in front of their own goals.

 

I think that Torres needs to come in for Clark because of his offense and this is the perfect game for his offensive prowess and Buddle for Findley since we need finishing over speed against a team that speed won't help that much against.

I think that we are set up well for a win.

 

hopefully we can go thru the win. I want to see someone fill in for clark and findley and better substitutions

 

the good news out of the Slovenia-Algeria game is that both teams looked absolutely terrible. Both should be expected to bunker/counter against us, in classic CONCACAF minnow style.

 

You would seriously play Demerit or Boca in that system over Dolo? That's crazy, Steve has been one of our best players for over a month now. You simply can't leave him out of the XI. If we have to, give the armband to Donovan and put Boca on the bench for Dolo. Regardless, there is no way we go with a 3-5-2. We haven't done it and we won't start now.

 

I would start Torres over Clark, but I dont think I would change anything else from the starting XI yesterday

 

So what do you do when they counter down the wings?

 

Agreed. That is a terrible strategy and formation, and would get us killed.

 

Posted this last week but after watching the Slovenia/Algeria Game feel even more sure this is what we will do

Clearly Slovenia will bunker but I still think Gomez and Holden start on the bench.

 

i'm not even necessarily go with that...you could sub in edu for cherundolo late in the game and switch to that if needed.

but let me say, how many times did you see slovenia counter down the wings today? their bread and butter is down the middle to novakovic running on to it.

 

Drugs are bad.

 

Slovenia will bunker, we will start with 3 forwards and crack them open like a coconut.

 

i'm not a findley hater like a lot of people are...i see his use. however, i think buddle would do better against this style team. slovenia have a very organized backline and they play deep already...use buddle to break that bunker

 

again, i'll say i personally wouldn't start with that and knowning bob he is definately going to stick with a 4-4-2...but a 3-5-2 later in the game isn't a recipe for disaster for a team that bunkers and has NO speed.

 

algeria doesn't look like a countering side. they look like throw everything we have at attack and rely on our athleticism to get back in time type of team.

 

Hopefully you're right. If the Algerians get stretched going forward at all Dempsey and Donovan are going to have an absolute field day. Unfortunately I'm guessing their coach is going to pull a Guatemala-bus-park formation which will make for a classically crappy CONCACAF-style game. At least that's something that our coaching staff and players have a whole lot of experience with.

 

Slovenia will bunker but they are not very good.

Hopefully we'll break through sometime and pull out the victory but the worse case scenario is 0-0. And, in reality, that's still an ok result.

 

Exactly, win or tie, were still in it and just need to beat Algeria. I really cant see Slovenia beating England, but if we dont get a result next game were screwed.

 

The only change I would make would be Buddle for Altidore, but unfortunately I don't think that will happen.

I would bring Torres on in the second half, depending on the score. However I wouldn't mind if he starts.

Slovenia looked terrible today we should beat them easily. And this is coming from someone who thought we would tie them going into the tournament.

 

wat?

 

Slovenia had a bad game vs Algeria.

 

Does anyone think bob will change things up? I don't think he will, I bet clark starts with findley again

 

Slovenia might have just had a bad game, but they don't scare me at all, my main concern in this game is a let down. We've seen this too many times from the US in the WC, if they were to have a bad game in this game it would be disasturous, take advantage of not having to play a giant.

 

I keep thinking of a cross between Costa Rica and Honduras when I see them.