Posted on 06/26/2014 7:23:27 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
Can two defensively suspect teams settle on a needed draw? If Team USA and Germany simply equal each other’s goal tallies, both sides will go through to the knockout rounds. In most cases, it would be expected that the two sides should line up in highly defensive formations and show little adventure, committing only the minimum number of men to any attack. If both sides play defensively, the draw will come regardless of any conspiracy.
The problem is, neither side is built to play the sort of boring, unadventurous soccer such a fixture requires. American fans are well aware of the struggles of Team USA to secure a back line, and Jurgen Klinsmann has settled on a system which uses two deep-lying and mostly defensive midfielders in Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman to protect that back four.
Similarly, Germany is not the Germany of soccer legend, solid and hard-working and just good enough on set pieces to score one more goal than its opponent. Instead, under Jogi Loew Germany has been transformed into one of the most innovative and exciting attacking teams in the world. Playing a 4-3-3 without any true forward, the German system arguably includes either two or three false nines. As Mario Götze, Mesut Özil or Thomas Mueller drops out of the forward position and drags a defender out of position with him, one of the others or a midfielder like Sami Khedira will see the space that opens up and make a run toward the danger zone. These runs have produced many big chances already in the tournament, and the Germans have averaged three goals per match.
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I vote for “Miserable, Sprouty, Fat, Phlemish, Belgian Bastards”
I really don’t think this tournament is a big deal for Klinsi. At this point, the team really isn’t in his image. But it’s been a good experience for some of the young guys who are going to take over the leadership for 2018, and hopefully we’ll have a group of young talent coming in as well, who will be Klinsi’s guys.
I expect much better things in 2018.
Agreed. But if you are going to counter, look dangerous when you do.
After this World Cup, replacing Bradley is going to be Job One.
Germany may well win it. Netherlands has a good chance too.
South America won the World Cup once in Europe. So Europe might win it to even it up.
France looked real good their first two games.
The loss of Altidore is disappointing, but the US should be able to adjust. I would like to see Klinsman use Wondolowski in Altidore's place, even though it would be out of position for him. He has a nose for the ball around the goal. In these next matches I expect the US to go into more an attacking formation and mentality. It is win or go home. We don't have the defense to do anything else.
As things stand NOW.
USA/Belgium winner would play winner of Argentina/Switzerland. I think I’m getting this correct.
Netherlands/Mexico would play winner of Costa Rica/Greece.
One may look up other potential match-ups for themselves.
So just trying to look down the road apiece, that’s how things are shaping up.
Netherlands chances are fair but I just enjoy the spectacle, not trying to say one team is better than another.
I was going to say that... the relatively weak opposition might have helped, but France has looked really sharp and everyone keeps overlooking them.
-— Agreed. But if you are going to counter, look dangerous when you do. -—
I think our attack of Dempsey, Bradley and Zusi is very effective, and the best I’ve seen in US World Cup play. Careful buildups and sustained pressure don’t mean as much as results. We have scored three quality goals against three quality teams with many near misses. Having Altidore would have been great. We can play with any team now, except France and Holland.
More impressive is they’ve done it without RIbery.
I agree. I think Dempsey would help some of the issues I mentioned playing in his preferred position. And yes, now it is score or go home.
Zusi has had one real moment in the group stage, supplying the corner against Ghana. Other than that he has been pretty quiet.
Bradley made major possession errors in each of the first two matches including gifting Portugal its equalizer, but at least he remembered what team he plays for today. Dempsey is the only one I can’t fault.
Good news - there is better yet in all three of them. :)
But I like Greece too and that Samaras who plays for Celtic seems to be a good person. If the Greeks can do something, great for them. Good for the Ticos too. The way they played, you could think they could make the semifinals except Netherlands/Mexico would be difficult. Of course, in the real world, Greece or Costa Rica aren't going to win but it is a great accomplishment, probably the first time both of them advanced.
But all or most of Zusi’s corner kicks have been on the money. That’s why he is there, he is accurate.
Looks now like Germany will get Russia in the Quarters.
You think Merkel and Putin will have a wager on that one?
Bradley actually played very well today. He was very disruptive to the Germans and most of his passes were good.
Contrary to what many think, he also played well against Portugal. When hemade tha bad pass that turned the ball over, there were plenty of defenders available to defendthe cross if those players had been paying attention. There were 4-5 defenders, in an area where the were no opposing players. They should have retreated to the penalty area to defend against the cross. Ther also should have been another player going after Ronaldo for a double team.
Yes. Winner gets Kursk. :)
Or Kamchatka.
The U.S. will beat Belgium and lose to Argentina. Messi is just too good for the U.S. and Argentina has other goal scoring threats.
Defensively, the U.S. is good enough, but it is going to take at least two goals to beat Argentina and I don’t think the U.S. can manage more that one unless Altidore can make it back in time. My guess is Argentina by a score of 3-1.
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