I know it is too early to do a full analysis on which players we should use against which teams and why, but i'm curious to see how everyone here thinks we should approach each team.
I haven't done enough research on Slovenia and Algeria to comment on those matchups. However... Against England: Speed on the left side of the field to match up against England's pacey right wingers (Lennon, SWP, Walcott) Speed up front to help facilitate the counter attack. We are not going to beat England on set pieces or whipping balls into the box. They have the size and strength to match us in that area.
Speed on the right side so we can beat englands lack of a quality left mid. Speed on defense to outmatch englands mediocre offensive speed. Speed in goal to save every shot.
WHOA WHOA WHOA moderators please close this thread....This was sent by accident and the completed thread has just been posted!!!!!
Jermaine Jones, whether or not he gets a ton of integration with the squad, needs to start against England. They'll be pushing the working the ball hard up the middle against this time. If the US is going to stop the rhythm of England, only Bradley and Jones have the tenacity to go at England's midfielder. Edu would be a nice consolation, but Bradley and Jones is best case scenario. I loved the Spain lineup, but Bocanegra can't start on the left against England. Donovan has to be paired with Bornstein, Castillo, or Spector. Bornstein and Castillo wouldn't be able to match the class of England's right side, but they would be able to match the speed. If Bob isn't comfortable with one of them, then Spector has to start over there. I always have and always will defend Boca against ignorant posters, but he shouldn't start this match on the left. Against Slovenia and Algeria, the US has the chances of dominating possession. I think a Bradley/Jones tandem is fantastic, but possession will be most important. Feilhaber or Torres has to be paired with one of them in each game. Personally, I'd love to see a Bradley/Feilhaber pairing in one match and then Jones/Torres in another.