Preview for USA /Algeria

USA V England

So before the England game what were you're real expectations, hopes and dreams for the U.S.? If you're telling the truth, I think you expected a loss, hoped for a tie and dreamt of a win. Me, I was expecting a draw, hoping for a win and having nightmares about a pasting like the one the Czech Republic laid on us in our opening group match in 2006. And then the game started and 5 minutes in, the nightmare seemed to be happening in real life. A complete breakdown of the U.S. defense in the middle of the field, some quick passing from the Brits and Gerrard is in on Howard alone for the easy goal. Fortunately (well fortunately assuming you are U.S. fan) the U.S. settled down after that and kept the solid chances to a minimum the rest of the game. Meanwhile the U.S. generated some chances with Altidore flashing an open header wide. Then Dempsey hit his hopeful shot that the goalkeeper bungled into the net and the U.S. was tied going into the half. Things were much the same in the second half with Altidore unlucky not to put the U.S. up 2-1. The U.S. played a tough gritty game, but I don't think they played as well as they can.



USA V Slovenia

This game was definitely a game of two halves with the US having defensive breakdowns and miscommunications in the back leading to fast counterattacks and goals being scored by the Slovenians in the first half to the US taking control of the midfield and furiously attacking in the second half with Landon Donovan playing the best game I have seen from him in a while. And if we're going to be honest here the US came back from a 2-0 deficit at the half to score three goals in the second (yes 3 Mr. Coulibaly). As the English fans at the bar where I was watching say, "we were robbed."


USA V Algeria

To start off I would like us not to go down by a goal or two first which seems to be our curious strategy this World Cup. Aside from the world cup games themselves the US were down a goal first in six of their ten world cup qualifying matches. Perhaps it is to lull the opponent into a false sense of security thereby making it easier to score goals or perhaps it is a conspiracy with ESPN to make soccer seem more exciting to new fans thereby attracting more viewers. Second I think Maurice Edu proved in the last game (and during qualifiers) that he is the better option in the midfield, Torres just got knocked around by the Slovenians and Clark was a bit slow against the English. Thirdly Findley being unavailable for this game because of yellow cards is a plus since it will force Bradley to play the exciting goal scoring Gomez or Buddle. So let's go USA and advance to the Round of 16!