Okay, comrades. Time to get serious. Now that the emotions have cooled down a bit, I'm gaining a bit of perspective back. There's a lot to think about going into Saturday's match. Let's consider the bad and the good. The bad: 1) Where the hell was Gooch? What happened to him? Is Bradley upset with his proclivity to wade too far out on the field, leaving holes in the back? Will he start against Ghana? Lots of questions to answer. 2) Jonathan Bornstein. I was too focused on the match to whine about him. Truth be told, he didn't totally blow it, but he also didn't play much of a role in the match. 9 times out of 10 the US played the ball down the right or down the center. I'm worried about him, though, and I'm scared to think he may start against Ghana. 3) Missed opportunities. If we hadn't won this game, we be talking about these misses for the next four years. Thank God we don't have to. But still, WAY TOO MANY missed shots. Demps and Jozy, I'm looking at you. We need to work on finishing/nerves for the next match. Donovan can't do everything. 4) Findley / Altidore's partner. I was glad that he missed the match. Not a fan, and I partly blame him for the lack of goal-scoring opportunities against England and Slovenia. But Buddle also looked tense. He made some bad passes. Herc looked better, but he may indeed be better off the bench. Dempsey also played well up front, but missed plenty of chances. 5) Conceding early goals. Oy! We really need to clamp down. The US doesn't come alive until about minute 20 in these games. The good: 1) Ghana! Yes, a team ranked 32nd in the world....which is a lot better than playing Die Mannschaft. They have some good players--such as Gyan and the revelation that is Boateng--but they are beatable. They haven't scored a non-penalty yet, if I'm not mistaken. They are speedy and crafty and better than both Algeria and Slovenia, but they're doable. 2) Momentum. We've got it. The US should be confident going into the 16. 3) Motivation: Revenge for 2006. It will stir up the veterans. 4) Heart, and incredible play in the second half. We've shown that we can come back from a deficit, but we need to start dominating for 90+ minutes. 5) Goal-keeping. 'Nuff said. Also, same old questions about who to start. My bet: Altidore Dempsey Feilhaber Bradley Clark Donovan Boca Onyewu Demerit Dolo Howard What's the read on Ghana? Strategy?
It all comes down to defense, if we lose by not being able to finish so be it...but I'm way more concerned about the defense than the finishing or any other concern. I really think Jozy needs to not only be the giant disrupter, target he is now but step up and put one or two in the back of the net.
Yes, it's high time that Jozy finds the net. It's often his problem. But as long he keeps winning fouls and making great passes, he'll do just fine. I thought the defense was actually pretty good tonight. There were a few lapses, but we saw worse against Slovenia and England. Is the US defense better without Gooch?
Algeria doesn't have the forwards to trouble even our suspect defense. They didn't score a goal in the whol tournament, I'm extremely happy that we got the clean sheet but you have to consider the opponent. I guess the positive with that is that Ghana hasn't exactly been an offensive powerhouse either.
thats b/c they played great Defenses and dont undermine the aussies...ghana should've won every single game buuut they lack in finishin and that luck but our D could contribute to their offensive attack which is pretty damn good..our offense is fine..that goal shall go in eventually.but we cant stay in a game if our D cant stop any offense and steven appiah and prince and muntari are lethal adding to gyan
This has nothing to do with the game, but I did not want to make a new thread to post it. I am Mexican and I have always gone for Mexico (and that is never going to change) but this is the first World Cup where I am actively rooting for the United States, as opposed to being indifferent. The United States I believe has a really great shot of doing something great. Friends who never heard of Donovan are suddenly and maddeningly in love with the USMNT. From a proud Mexican who has been educated in America. The Semi's beckon. GO USA.
Presuming we have a decently officiated match (that may be a naive presumption), I think we have a really good chance to get a result against Ghana. Jimmy Conrad isn't on the team, and we won't get overrun in the midfield, like in 2006. Furthermore, we are much more dynamic on offense this go around, regardless of any missed chances perceived to cast our offensive ability in a negative light.