USA vs Italy--PRE-match thread

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by dcuni_ted, Jun 13, 2006.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. USA4Life

    USA4Life Member

    Feb 10, 2002
    Defense first,
    Blame the goalie and start fresh.
    Reyna plays better defense than Dempsey, so he starts.
    Reyna can also cover for Cherundolo when he attacks.
    Convey will attack on his own and won't need too much from Bocanegra.





    ------------McBride-----Johnson
    ------------------Donovan
    ------Convey-------------------Reyna
    ------------------Mastroeni
    -Bocanegra----Onyewu----Pope----Cherundolo

    -------------------Howard
     
  2. isolde

    isolde Member

    Feb 14, 2004
    nj
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    After spending 30 minutes reading this thread I see no body mentioned LUCK.
    We need all the LUCK we can get on Saturday, so I suggest:
    Wear WHITE uniform. No more navy shirts,, put those navy shirts away.
    Please do not think my post is funny, I am serious, to win the game, you need to play well and play with luck too.
     
  3. catenaccio_L'pool

    Oct 21, 2005
    Top Of The Table
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Croatia
    look 5 posts up :D
     
  4. Vosey

    Vosey New Member

    May 26, 2006
    Port St. Lucie, FL
    Unfortunately we are out-classed in this group. Even Ghana plays a better style than we do. The US team is too small and not physical enough. And on top of that, we are playing with little confidence - and we are not challenging one on one. How many times did we push the ball back to Keller in the Czech Republic game?

    Too bad we have not made progress in four years time.
     
  5. CFCkm7

    CFCkm7 New Member

    Sep 26, 2005
    New Jersey
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Whoops. Should be this.

    Oneywu--------Pope------Bocanegra
    ---------------Reyna---------------
    Dempsey-------Obrien-------Convey
    ---------------Donovan------------
    -------Johnson---------McBride-----
     
  6. MtMike

    MtMike Member+

    Nov 18, 1999
    the 417
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think we should play like against Mexico in '02. Played a 3-3-2-2

    So, let's line-up like this:

    ------------------Keller

    ------Pope-------Gooch--------Boca

    ---Reyna---------Olsen-------------JOB

    ----------Donovan---------Dempsey

    ----------EJ----------------McBride

    Defensive minded 3-5-2. Also, this would allow Olsen to run around and be ABMOD junior. Would give Donovan and Dempsey a tremendous amount of freedom to create and be unpredictable.

    I don't think Beas plays against Italy, because we'll have to keep possession, and that is his weak point.

    I believe that midfield would do a very good job of keeping possession, since it has probably our 4 most skilled players (LD, JOB, CR, CD) and one destroyer.

    Boca is also an excellent crosser and could sneak up field ala the '03 MLS All Star game to Ruiz. Pope and Gooch could stay back.

    Also, McBride can hold the ball and feed it to Landon and EJ making runs or out to JOB or Reyna if nothing's there to keep possession.

    If (when) Olsen gets a card, sub in Mastro or Convey/Lewis and move JOB in.

    This also lets Reyna have better field vision just on the right side. I've always felt he plays better on the right.



    -
     
  7. kyleprather

    kyleprather New Member

    Apr 27, 2006
    yeah fedwood youve been playing video games too much or something. Here's my lineup for the Italy game.

    Keller in goal
    4 across the backline Dolo Gooch Pope Lewis
    Donovan on the right wing, and Convey on the left
    WIth Reyna and O'Brien in the middle
    Johnson and McHEad up top
    Johnson has a tendency to squeeze out wide on the wings, when he does this him and DOlo can work together with Donovan cutting inside towards goal, Reyna and O'Brien will be important they need to spray balls out wide and in behind to Johnson or to McHEad but also squeeze over and protect the flanks when we move up them in attack, if every player on the field plays to his utmost potential, we win or at least get a draw I believe, thats a big if however.
     
  8. galaxyfan03

    galaxyfan03 Member

    Jul 4, 2001
    Glendale, California
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Having had a few days to process the disasterous display v the Czechs, I'm ready for Italy on Saturday!!

    First, there's NO WAY we're going to have 11 different starters v Italy. As much as some of us would like that, considering how EVERYBODY stunk on Monday. But these are grown men (with the possible exception of Beasley) & should be given the chance to "redeem" themselves. I love Beasley but his comments & "whining" have really pissed me off (there's NO room for that BS, especially when the criticism was correct & we need to re-group for this weekend) & I don't think Bruce will start him.

    I also would like to see us play a 3-5-2 & ATTACK down the flanks, as much as possible:

    --------------------------Keller------------------------
    -------------Berhalter-----Pope------Bocanegra--------
    Dempsey----------Reyna-----------JOB---------Convey
    -------------------------Donovan----------------------
    ----------------Johnson--------------McBride----------

    Subs: Onyewu, Olsen & Lewis, if ahead. If tied or behind, Cherundolo, Beasley & Ching.

    I wouldn't start Gooch for fear of his yellow card BUT I could see him instead of Berhalter.

    Dempsey & Johnson MUST start & IMHO JOB is ready to start!!

    We have nothing to lose v Italy so LET'S GO ALL-OUT, USA!!!
     
  9. littau

    littau Member

    Jul 28, 1999
    37.3509 N 121.9371 W
    I think the natural strategy for the Italians is to come out fast and strong. They know the Americans will still be shaken up from the Czech game and very unsure of themselves. They know the Americans will be tempted to push forward early and leave themselves exposed. If the Italians can bang a few good shots in early making them look weak, it will disrupt the entire team. An early goal could be a knockout punch to a team unsure of themselves. If they can demoralize the opposition to the point they think they can't win, the game is essentially over long before the final whistle blows. This is the easiest and fastest way for Italy to win and I have to believe they will try it.

    I think the US has to expect this and play appropriately. Focus on a strong defense for the first 20 - 30 minutes and not try to come out so fast like Bruce often wants them to. Counter if and when they can. Nobody (not even the Italians) can keep full throttle on for the entire game. If they can survive that and once things settle down, then the US can start to play a more balanced game.

    I don't think the lineup matters as much as having the right attitude and knowing what to expect. We'll know in the first half hour on Saturday if the US has it or not.
     
  10. ExpatSwede

    ExpatSwede Member

    IF Elfsborg
    Sweden
    Jun 6, 2005
    California
    We need Gooch. He is one of our best defenders. And this is a do-or-die game. Why save him for a potentially pointless Ghana game? It doesn't make sense.

    The game on saturday is all that matters. Think of it as the last game in the World Cup.

    Wouldn't Gooch possible suspension against Ghana be worth it if we beat Italy? It sure would. And that goes for every other player with a card.
     
  11. galaxyfan03

    galaxyfan03 Member

    Jul 4, 2001
    Glendale, California
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good points.

    Guess I was just focusing on his performance v the Czechs (I didn't think it was very good, unlike Bruce)!!

    But, I agree. The Italy game is ALL OR NOTHING, right now!!
     
  12. luftmensch

    luftmensch Member+

    .
    United States
    May 4, 2006
    Petaluma
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Talk about ignorance of the beautiful game...
     
  13. eric_appleby

    eric_appleby Member+

    Jun 11, 1999
    Down East
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We need to start off conservative in this match. Concentrate on not coughing up a goal in the first 10 minutes. Italy will attack. They need the 3 points and to improve their goal differential. If we concede another early goal, we might as well walk off the field and get on the plane.
     
  14. fedwood

    fedwood Member

    Sep 13, 2004
    I think we can probably have a 2 nil lead by the half and then they will try very hard leaving their defence open and we will put in another 2 or 3.

    In Donovan I trust, greatest player ever!
     
  15. forza_azzurri

    forza_azzurri Member

    May 31, 2005
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy

    4 goals against one of the best defenses in the world.

    Why don't you post with your head rather than your heart.

    Testa di Crappa !!!!!!!:D
     
  16. fedwood

    fedwood Member

    Sep 13, 2004
    When your team is made of gold and has world class players such as Donovan, Beasley, Oneywu, Reyna, Keller (best keeper in the Bundesliga), then you can talk. The Czechs got lucky and its just going to be a blip, 1 loss and 6 wins.

    U S A !!
     
  17. dcuni_ted

    dcuni_ted Member

    Jul 16, 2000
    Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ahem
     
  18. JayRockers!

    JayRockers! Member+

    Aug 4, 2001
    All fans at the game, we have a new chant...

    Ukraine!
    We're not as bad as Ukraine.
    We're not as bad as Ukraine.
    We're not as bad as Ukraine.

    Repeat as necessary.

    Thx,

    Jay!
     
  19. puddleduck

    puddleduck Member

    Mar 15, 2002
    Providence, RI
    Dude. Come on. Saying a thing doesn't make it so. You're like a trollhouse cookie ... with nuts.

    Back to reality:

    We are better than 0-3 would suggest, but the Italians are still the stronger side and beating them will require take a combination of: luck, sack, more luck and a ton more sack.

    I'd be a lot more confident if we'd shown more heart on Monday.
     
  20. the Next Level

    Mar 18, 2003
    Chicago, IL
    HERE WE GO AGAIN!!! aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

    Please no more scared crapless performances. Intelligent, yes. Prudent, yes. Scared? Ya no mas!
     
  21. eric_appleby

    eric_appleby Member+

    Jun 11, 1999
    Down East
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Fedwood's not for real. It's sarcasm.
     
  22. lurking

    lurking Member+

    Feb 9, 2002
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I forsee some sort of "noble loss", in whcihc everyone comments how well we play, but really we never have a chance to get a result. I just think Arena will make some adjustments so its better then our game against the Czechs, but dont see him making the ones nescessary for us to have a chance to win.
     
  23. orcrist

    orcrist Member+

    Jun 11, 2005
    Bay Area, California, USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, since most people are of the opinion that we were lacking in both head and heart in our game against the czechs, I don't mind seeing a little of both in the posts. The fact is, no matter how soberly most of us are regarding our chances against Italy, if we give up hope entirely there's no point in even watching the game, right?

    So allow us our couple of cheerleaders in our forum who at least supply some of that heart for the fans. We will continue to hope that the team also improves both heads and hearts when they play again.
     
  24. JayRockers!

    JayRockers! Member+

    Aug 4, 2001
    KK was interviewed on ESPN2. I saw it prior to the England match. Rece Davis asked KK if the team was "over" the loss. Keller said things like "of course, we're professionals." But then he's saying things like Czek got no shots on goal and "I didn't have any saves to make". Sounds to me like he's not over it yet. Or he may not be starting Saturday. I personally wouldn't mind seeing Hanhemann. Ain't gonna happen, but I'd like to see it. Keller may be on pins and needles.

    Thx,

    Jay!
     
  25. Ankf00

    Ankf00 Guest

    OMG?!?! REALY!?!?!

    it's funny how many people took that bait... :D
     

Share This Page