USA vs Ghana (Round of 16) Pre-Game Thread

Then he should have accepted Ghana's call-up for the '06 WC and given up the millions of endorsement dollars he stood to make from representing the US.

 

Why waste a page and a half of pregame analysis arguing over whether or not Adu is cheering more for the US than Ghana? Unless he goes into some public place wearing a blackstars jersey burning an american flag, who cares who he really in his heart of hearts wants to win?

 

Here is the line-up I’d like to see Bob Bradley start against Ghana:

-----------------------------------Howard--------------------------------

Cherundolo-------------DeMerit----------------Onyewu----------Bocanegra

------------------------------------------------Edu----------------------

------------------------Bradley-------------------------------------------

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

-------------------------Altidore-----------Buddle------------------------


1. Center Back

It’s not an easy decision as to whether Bradley should start, on the one hand, Oguchi Onyewu at center back and Carlos Bocanegra at left back or, on the other hand, Bocanagra at center back and Jonathan Bornstein at left back. Both Bornstein and Bocanagra played well against Algeria. Also, Onyewu still seems to be favoring his knee a little, and his reading of the game wasn’t ideal in the U.S.’s first two matches. However, I still think Bradley should start Onyewu at center back and Bocanegra at left back. I think that, against Ghana, Onyewu likely would do at least as well as Bocanegra at center back. Onyewu is better in the air and has better speed. Onyewu’s superior athleticism would be helpful against Ghana, which is an athletic team. It would be particularly good to have Onyewu in the middle of the defense in order keep an eye on Asamoha Gyan, Ghana’s center forward. Gyan is tall (6’1”), athletic and has scored 21 goals in 42 appearances for Ghana. He also was Rennes’ leading scorer this season in France’s Ligue 1 (13 goals). In addition, Onyewu also will be totally fresh for the Ghana match, because he didn’t play any against Algeria. Finally, although Bocanegra read the game better against Algeria than Oneywu did against England and Slovenia, there is a good chance that Onyewu would read the game better against Ghana than he did against England and Slovenia. He now has five matches under his belt since coming back from his knee injury.

Moreover, I have more confidence in Bocanegra at left back than I do in Bornstein at left back. Bocanegra is physically stronger and less mistake-prone. His distribution out of the back also tends to be better. Moreover, against Ghana, the U.S.’s left back likely will be matched up against Prince Tagoe, who seems fast and quick. Although Bornstein is faster and moves better laterally than Bocanegra, Bocanegra is more steady, more sturdy, much more experienced and less inclined to make mistakes. For instance, in the 67th minute against Algeria, the Algerian left-winger had the ball on Algeria's left flank. Bornstein, who was playing left back, lost track of his zone and moved to close to the ball. Bornstein left Ghezzal and Zianni open to his left. Fortunately, Zianni’s shot went wide. Bornstein probably should have stayed on the left and kept an eye on the players to left of him. There was no open Algerian player to right of Bornstein in front of the U.S. goal.


2. Central Midfield

I think Bob Bradley should start Maurice Edu in central midfield, along with Michael Bradley. Edu played well against Algeria, especially defensively. His defensive positioning, in particular, was quite good. Although he had some bad passes, his passing was solid overall. And his passing was better in the second half than it was in the first, which might suggest that he is getting used to the speed of play in the World Cup.


3. Forward

Bradley has four options at forward. The option that I prefer by far the least is to start Clint Dempsey at forward and Stuart Holden at left midfield. This tournament Dempsey has been significantly more dangerous at left midfield than at forward, for instance, he scored his goal against England from that position. He also has been has been good defensively at left midfield. In fact, I think Bradley should consider playing Dempsey at left midfield for the entire match. With Dempsey at left midfield, the U.S. has won that side of the field defensively.

Whether Bradley should start Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley or Herculez Gomez as the other forward (along with Jozy Altidore) is not an easy decision. First, of the three, my third choice would be Gomez. I thought Gomez was less good than Buddle in the game against Algeria. Gomez didn’t pass the ball that well. He had a number of give-aways. Buddle’s passing wasn’t great, either. But he seemed a little steadier on the ball. For instance, when he came into the match, his first sequence of touches was good. It led to the play where Benny Feilhaber’s cross was barely kicked away by the Algerian goalkeeper. Buddle also is better in the air than Gomez. For instance, Buddle did a good job to get his head on Steve Cherundolo’s left-footed cross against Algeria. Buddle's header -- had it been a little more accurate -- could have resulted in a goal.

Finally, if Bradley doesn’t start Gomez, that means that Bradley can bring Gomez into the match in the second half. That’s when Gomez often is his most dangerous -- with his mobility, lateral movement and poacher’s instinct. He often was very good for Puebla this season when coming into the match in the second half, and he has scored both of his goals for the U.S. as a second half sub.

However, should Bradley start Buddle or Findley (along with Altidore)? Findley will be totally fresh, since he didn’t play any against Algeria. However, Buddle also will be quite fresh. He played little against England, no minutes against Slovenia and came into the Algeria match in the 63rd minute. Also, overall, Buddle has been more dangerous than Findley for the U.S. Findley has scored no goals for the U.S. in his eight appearances, whereas Buddle has scored two goals (both against Australia) in his five appearances. Buddle also has gotten more shots off than Findley. In addition, Findley has only one goal in MLS this season; Buddle has nine. Finally, Buddle, who is 6’1”, 185 lbs, is significantly better in the air than Findley. And the center backs Ghana seems likely to start, John Mensah and Jonathan Mensah (who are no relation to each other), are a little short. Jonathan Mensah is only 5’10 and John Mensah is only 5’8”. They both started against Germany.

Here is a link to information on John Mensah:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=184560/index.html

Here is a link to information on Jonathan Mensah:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=306634/index.html

Another player that Ghana could start at center back, Lee Addy, is himself only 5’ 8”. Here is a link to information on Addy, who started against Australia:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/players/player=318419/index.html

Finally, another one of Ghana’s center backs, Isacc Vorsah (who himself is only 5’9”), won’t play against the U.S. because of injury. Here is a link:

http://www.kickoff.com/news/16373/vorsah-absent-again-for-usa.php

Buddle’s height and ability in the air could really be an advantage on crosses.

However, I think Bradley should consider bringing in both Gomez and Findley in the second half. They both bring speed and elusiveness, which is especially dangerous when the other team is tired.


4. Additional Thoughts

First, the U.S. has shown good discipline this tournament. They have gotten no red cards and have given up no penalty kicks. They also have gotten only six yellow cards in the entire tournament. Finally, the only player who has had to miss a match because of yellow card accumulation, Robbie Findley, was given his second yellow for a handball that he didn’t commit. Let’s hope that the U.S. can keep this pattern of discipline and self-control going. It will help them win matches. In particular, it is important for Dempsey to be careful. His raised elbow that hit the Slovenian player at the very beginning of the U.S-Slovenian match could have gotten a card. It was a risky play by Dempsey. He has got to keep his cool and composure on the field.

Second, I’d like to see the U.S. cross the ball better. For instance, although Cherundolo has had some very good crosses (for instance, the one with his left foot that Buddle headed to the goalkeeper against Algeria), he also has put too much air under some of his crosses so that they were easy for the goalkeeper to grab out of the air. The U.S. players should concentrate to make good crosses that give the U.S. a chance to score. Let’s not hit balls that the goalkeeper can easily come out and snatch out of the air. We have some players that are good at getting on the end of crosses, both with their heads and with their feet -- for instance, Altidore, Buddle, Dempsey, Gomez and Bradley. Let’s make the crosses count.

 

He's represented the USMNT his whole life ( at youth levels), sometimes in detriment to his club career (Olympics), and chose to represent the US, unlike Rossi, Neven, etc...

And for the record there's a bit of misinformation here, the first quote:

"Ok guys I'm sorry I can't root against my native country lol. I want both Ghana and Usa to do well"

Was right after the US won and he was responding to a fan's query before the German game, after he found out about the US was facing Ghana his tweet was:

Ghana vs USA. Ouch!
5:21 PM Jun 23rd via Twitter for BlackBerry®

I don't see a problem with his reaction...


What if you were part of an immigrant family in the US and your brother played for Serbia or Slovakia or whoever, and they played against the USA, would you really be %100 percent against your brother? No conflict of emotion?

 

I thought the soccermetrics that Alex Beam mentioned this AM in the Boston Globe is very helpful to BB re: starting lineup.

In the second half, Algeria's possession decreased 13%.
The USA possession increased from 67-70%.
Algeria's touch count went down 24%.

This apparently reflects ALG being tired.

Re: Donovan.
vs SLO, had only 48 touches.
Drifted left majority of time.
Lost the ball half of the time.
Made no passes leading to a shot on goal.

vs ALG, had 67 touches.
Stayed wide right 91% of the time.
Retained possession 69% of the time he had touches.
4 passes lead to shots on goal.

Tell me this doesn't plead for Donovan to be on the right most of the time,
and Dempsey on the left. No Beasley to start for sure.
Findley vs Gomez vs Buddle. Hard call.
Edu vs Clark vs Torres. Still hard call.
Gooch vs Boca vs Goodson. Still hard call.

 

Did some basic research on Ghana. Some interesting results.

In the African Cup of Nations a few months back, Ghana made the final, losing to Egypt 1 -0.

In group play, Ghana had the advantage of being in Togo's group, who had to withdraw because of the shooting incident.

They lost to the Ivory Coast 3 - 1. The one goal came on a penalty (notice a trend with this team?) in injury time.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onEXHUWI_nY"]YouTube- Ivory Coast - Ghana HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]

They beat Burkina Faso 1 - 0. Goal from Ayew in the first half, due to some horrific defending.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOp2prgDTX4&feature=channel"]YouTube- Burkina Faso - Ghana HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]

They beat Angola 1 - 0 in the quarterfinals. Gyan in the first half.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQrDkY2mxDw"]YouTube- Angola - Ghana & Côte d'Ivoire - Algerie | QUARTER FINALS HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]

They beat Nigeria 1 - 0 in the semifinals. Gyan in the first half, on a corner.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRcgmoFbu9w"]YouTube- Ghana -Nigeria & Algeria - Egypt | SEMIFINALS HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]

Lost to Egypt in the final. Late goal off a well worked give and go.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DpgwXZn5MY&feature=channel"]YouTube- Ghana - Egypt | FINAL HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]

These highlights seem to confirm what people have seen. Defensively sound, offensively undisciplined. Their highlight misses all seem to be long range efforts. Gyan had two nice goals, and a penalty. Ayew scored, but was as unmarked as unmarked can be.

Stop Gyan, and it seems you've stopped Ghana. Where our goals will come from is another matter.

EDIT: Sorry about videos. I didn't know they wouldn't embed. Stupid thing. I'll leave them up if anyone wants to follow them to youtube.

 

Fro is on Ghana's World Cup team now??

 

With 100% confidence, Bradley starts Findley.

Why? Because he likes something that Findley does that he doesn't see in the alternatives, something many folks here don't (or are unwilling to) see. I think it is the unique combination of speed to stretch defenses combined with his willingness to go back and make defensive plays.

 

Absolutely right.

Adu has been a failure for the USMNT. When faced with his maternal team vs his adopted nation, I can imagine it is difficult to choose.

 

Once is a fluke. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a trend.

I can not, for the life of me, imagine the USA getting the short end of a stick and getting screwed on yet another egregious and ridiculous call in this tournament. The rest of the world seems to have taken notice and even developed a soft spot for our side since we've been unfairly dicked twice already. Fortunately, it made no difference since we won the group in the end. But if I'm Gulati and I see one more hugely blown call go against us, I'd declare all-out war on FIFA.

As far as the game itself, I would love to see this team finally play with a lead. Other teams then have to commit more guys forward, and we can counter them, which is when we're at our best. Ghana is actually somewhat similar to Algeria...pack it in on defense, but subpar finishing on offense. I don't think Ghana is going to have as many chances though since we had to push guys forward and go for the win for pretty much the entire second half of Algeria. I'm getting cautiously optimistic about this game...

 

Ooooo, nice if true. You of course mean the white strip that we have never failed to win a World Cup match in. The same white strip that we have never been scored upon in a World Cup match while wearing?

 

You forgot to mention: "completely useless in front of goal," and "makes poor decisions on what to do with the ball in the attacking third."

He may get the start, but not if I were making the line-ups.

 

Have been replaying the Ghana v Germany game. Germany played a very basic ground passing game. Ghana just has a problem moving forward as a team. They are fast on counter attacks by their 2 or 3 frontrunners. Shaun Bartlett says Ghana controlled the first half. I did not see that. They lose the ball too often in midfield and seem to run out of gas early. If we can control their counter attacks, we can win this game.

 

Didn't we have to sub Findley out twice at half time in emergency contingency plans? Why not just sub him out at the beginning of the game instead? (Before were in a deep hole. He's been awful. . .

I'd rather they throw Dempsey up top and bring Holden into the midfield or Gomez or Buddle. I don't think Findley will be as effective ( use term lightly) because the Ghanians are fast and will neutralize the only thing he brings to the table.

 

Am I unreasonable in expecting Robbie Findley to turn it on like Paolo Rossi did in 1982 if he gets the start?

 

I think over the next few years we should turn findley into a winger. He plays much better out wide with space and he is quick. Maybe he can feature in 2014 as a wing player

 

Good luck, will be rooting for you guys.

 

We need Gomez with Altidore up front, Jozy and Buddle are very similar and I like the way Gomez created chances when he was in and I'm willing to give him a pass on the missed goals since he scored 2 in the send off series and he is new to the world cup.

 

In the first three games, Ghana didn't move forward as a team. They relied on the interplay between 2 or 3 players on most parts of the field. Shut down the front runner or one of the other players and the attack died.

They are very good at closing down space in the midfield, and at times, mantaining possession in the midfield. They key is mental. We need to be patient and not get exposed. Punish their mistakes. Easy!

 

For me there are two key weaknesses to exploit:

1. Ghana's goalkeeper. Had one of the howlers of the tournament (though this is one of the hottest races for that award in some time) against Australia. That was a huge choke job too; it could have easily cost Ghana advancement, and led to an embarrassing result in drawing Australia 1-1 even though Australia played most of the game down a man.

2. Mensah the Younger. I know he's supposedly a real up-and-comer but a 19 year-old centerback who played last season for a third division team is not who you want to be relying on in a WC elimination match.

Also, I don't buy the idea that Ghana could have scored an equalizer against Germany but "didn't want to." I watched the second half of that match and Ghana had resigned itself to the fact that it was not going to break down Germany's door; instead, they wanted to keep it 1-0 so they wouldn't lose out to Australia on goal difference. Ghana went in through the back door.

 

I think Findley Should start. i believe in our midfield but they got to be a little tired. According to Fifa, Bradley, Donovan, and Dempsey are 4th, 12th, and 29th respectively as far as distance traveled in the WC group stages. Findley running around aimlessly might lessen the burden on those guys.

 

And if we could get him to run around with an aim it could really help.

 

Normally I wouldn't want any success for the US, but for some reason in this WC I'm pulling for you guys to win. I want a Mexico and US final. We have it really tough but if you guys do your part, Im sure we'll do ours. Good luck tomorrow. Let's show the world theres two Giants in North America that can kick anybodies ass.