Don't forget Copa America 95, our 3-0 whipping of Argentina in a big match down there, and a solid 98 quLifying campaign. As for the line up, Bob has studied the Algers much more than us and he's been at training. I hope he's making the right decisions though they are tough decisions. Bornstein tends to make schoolboy positioning errors though Boca has been getting beaT for pace out there and gooch has been poor. I hope bob has it right. Go USA!
From what I saw of the England game, Algeria didn't seem to have a big, physical attacking player. They were all small, quick and shifty. It might be a case where Onyewu doesn't match up with them as well.
his starting line-ups have been questionable going back to teh first friendly against England several years ago. And as recently as the last match. That is a fact. Both Boca and Demerit can be had by speed and quickness in the middle. PornStain is a human PK magnet and always out of position. Gomez is a second half player. The only thing he did right in this line-up is put in Edu whom I hope does not get a card as I am pretty sure we are due one this match.
I guess this is it. I saw the thread, clicked... and then threw up in my mouth a little. Doesn't matter, Bornstein CAN get it done, let's just hope that he puts it together for 90 minutes. Let's go boys.
Bornstein? Gomez? Would have preferred Spector and Buddle. But here's hoping Bradley strikes gold with these risky choices.
big big roll of the dice .... so it can play out one of two ways - Bornstein gives up a howler or causes a red card take down if he is beaten - or he plays well - Edu hangs back to help him and the defenders out ... and Bradley goes forward and we annihilate Algeria .... Bradley is the revelation so far ... and if Algeria focus on Dempsey and Donovan on the flanks and Altidore as a target - they will rue not tracking Gomez and Bradley carefully. key will be Maurice Edu helping out the entire backline ... seriously I could see a 5 - 0 thrashing by the US ... or we lose 2 - 1 or 3 - 2 .....
Agreed. Algeria plays the ball on the ground. Not a great fit for Gooch. When adding that to his poor play so far and concerns about him playing 3 games in 12 days, I understand the decision to take him out. But Bornstein?!?!
Bornstein will find a way to lose this game for the US. Have never seen him play well against good opposition yet plays in a must win game at the World Cup? This will be a job costing decision for Bradley if it does not work out.
I haven't drank at this time of day in decades. Oh well. These are the players we have. If they produce, we advance.
Pleased with the Edu start. Have wanted that since before the Cup. Like others, I understand the Onyewu and CB dilemmas. Defense has been our weakness for 2 years running. Like others I would have prefered Spector and Buddle. Bornstein isn't World Cup quality, while Spector has shown periods of being good enough, like last summer. And I'd rather have Buddle as the target forward, freeing Altidore to play more as a second striker. Gomez is so useful off the bench. But this is our team. These are our players. This is our time. GO USA!!!
Scary good! Come on Yanks. Let's show these mini-Frenchies why American heart will always surpass French waivering, cowering, feeble ability.
Bornstein is a penalty waiting to happen, he loves to grab and tug when he gets beat. Gomez starting??? Why not move Dempsey up front and put holden in the midfield. I expect hasty halftime changes, just like last time. . .
Well, Dempsey and Boca have been getting exposed on the wing for a lack of pace the whole tournament. Donovan needs to be on the right in this game. I suspect we will see bornstein push up to keep them honest and Edu keep back to help on the outside. Seriously, this could suck royally if the players are not up for it, but tactically it seems like a sound call. Algeria can run the flanks and thats a fact. At the very least, we know JB can at least keep up for 90 minutes. He may get beat, but hopefully somebody will be there to get his back.
My nightmare has come true Johnny B at left back lets hope he keeps the penalties and megs in our own box to a maximum of 0 today. Im praying praying that he has the game of his life tho and we make it through to the next round. Im extremely happy tho with maurice edu getting a start for the first time this world cup because I thought he was excellent in the limited amount of time he received last game against slovenia. Lets all hope that when we score the winning goal today it doesn't get disallowed again for obvious reasons (sarcasm). USA USA USA
This lineup looks to me like Bob is trying to maximize his flexibility on the back line--if Bornstein doesn't play well he can pretty easily negate that by having Boca provide cover on the left and dropping Edu back to play right in front of the center backs as a sort of fifth defender. I expect Gooch to be in at halftime though.
We were all scared to death with Heydude vs Portugal in 02, he permormed well that day, maybe JB will suprise us all too!
Maybe Algeria isn't much of a threat on that side? I haven't watched them. Let's hope our most mistake prone player makes no mistakes today!