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USA vs Nigeria (friendly); Sat 7 June 14; Jacksonville, FLA 1800 ET
Topic Started: Jun 3 2014, 04:34 AM (324 Views)
vince stravino
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Figured I could bounce this one on the board. We will all be watching.

Anyone going? I think Winslow is planning to be there...
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Yogi
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I watched Nigeria's 0-0 tie with Greece today. Greece of course are expert at killing off games and they once again snuffed out an opponent's attack as Nigeria created very little against Greece. Not much penetration from Nigeria's attackers but their midfield played pretty well and their forwards are quick so this should be an interesting game against the US.

As this will be the US' final warm up I would like to see as close as possible to the starting team in Brazil. So how about this?

Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley; Zusi, Jones, Bradley, Bedoya; Dempsey, Altidore
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americafutbol10
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That's the lineup I see too, Yogi :)
US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me!

Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!)

LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions!

Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros!
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Sammy Maudlin
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I'd be happy with that lineup too. If either Bedoya or Zusi are not producing, another option Klinsmann has been showing lately is to use Diskerud as an outside midfielder who pinches inside. If he is on the right, that opens up space for Johnson. On the left it could free up Beasley or Chandler.
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Johnbuildr
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Sammy Maudlin,Jun 4 2014
09:05 PM
I'd be happy with that lineup too.  If either Bedoya or Zusi are not producing, another option Klinsmann has been showing lately is to use Diskerud as an outside midfielder who pinches inside.  If he is on the right, that opens up space for Johnson.  On the left it could free up Beasley or Chandler.

One of the key things that will tend to show the extent or depth of JK's managing abilities will be how well the necessary players respond in support of offensive runs by the likes of Beasley and Chandler or other mainly defensive players.

The specific players just havn't been together enough as a unit to handle such complexities very well, short of some masterful managing and very heady play by everyone. It will be more responding in the moment than anything that they have had a chance to do in game time situations as a unit very much.
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum



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americafutbol10
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I wonder if we'll see Johannsson & Wondo...don't want to see Chandler, at least not at LB!

42K tix sold for the game...would be very surprised if it's not a solid, pro-USA crowd. Read some reports that Nigeria is expecting a very intense match...not sure what that means but hoping there are no injuries on our part <_<
US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me!

Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!)

LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions!

Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros!
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James
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My goals for this final tune-up friendly:
1) By now, the back line should be shaping out with good understanding from side to side. We want to see a solid performance with no more than 2 or 3 chances given up.
2) Narrow the space between the back line and midfield; particularly in transition. In transition, the midfielders should be recognizing responsibility and heading to the right spaces immediately.
3) More quality chances from the strike partnership at top. Obviously Altidore is having difficulty scoring, but he is doing an amazing job drawing defensive attention. I want to see Dempsey getting multiple quality chances.
4) Distribution from the CDM - I prefer Beckerman, but if it's going to be Jones then fine as long as he continues to stay home and the linking play improves. There have been too many of the long diagonal passes that don't reach the target. Jones needs to find Bradley more consistently or calm down and carry the ball sideways before looking to the wing.
5) Once again, we go into a world cup with a single fullback. There's no fix to the left back situation other than moving Johnson over, but that negates a potent weapon with having him on the right. Both options at left back are fatally flawed; so I don't care which one JK uses. The call on who is the starter needs to happen and stick with it regardless so that everyone can adjust. Unbelievably, I think there's more hope of surviving with Chandler and that's how I'd go.

Lastly and above all, stay healthy and win!
... Ain't no pity in the Rose City ...
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shelsoccer
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Well, there's some reason to be optimistic. A pretty comprehensive display despite another late PK.

Obviously, the story was Jozy getting off the schneid. His second goal was a thing of beauty. Beyond that, I thought the back four was pretty cohesive. Cameron and Besler seem to be developing a partnership. Johnson was always a factor offensevily and settled into steadier defense after some early struggles. I don't think there's any doubt Beasley should be the starting left back.

I earlier called for a 4-4-2 vs. Ghana with a diamond midfield, but it's pretty obvious this team is more comfortable in a 4-2-3-1. It provides more cover for the backline and gives Bradley, who was excellent, more freedom to create. I'm not sold that Bedoya should start over Zusi. I think Zusi is just about as good defensively, more creative going forward and an asset on set pieces. That's the only change I'd make from tonight's starting lineup.
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raconteur
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Definitely a great way to end these preparation games. Nigeria started well and put the US under some pressure but the defense was firm and Bedoya and Johnson combined on the right to set up Altidore for a tap in. After that goal I thought the US had the better of the play and Altidore's 2nd was a real beauty, he was set up by a long pass by Bradley, beat Yobo on the turn then fired a rocket past Nigeria's goalie Enyeama who was pretty good in this match.

just what the US needed, they got Altidore out of his scoring slumo, the defense looked much more solid and the midfield functioned well with Klinsmann's change in formation. What did he do? he played Beckerman at the back of the midfield, used Jones on the left, although he covered ground all over and I thought had one of his best game sin some time for the US, while Bedoya played on the right and Bradley was at the top of the midfield diamond. Dempsey often dropped back into midfield too as this looks to be the sign of things to come in Brazil.

Three games played and in each one I thought the US played progressively better. That is something to be optimistic about as shelsoccer noted.
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alabastergremlin
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After what has seemed like weeks of craziness and uncertainty, it was really nice to see THAT tonight. Man, it was nice.

I agree completely that we should see that line-up with Zusi instead of Bedoya but even that isn't a huge issue.

Beasley has his spot locked down and Chandler can enjoy the bench. Amazing that Beasley will be seeing his fourth World Cup. Much credit to him.

Dempsey is off and on and not look that impressive but it doesn't concern me like Altidore. But it was nice to see Jozy get that first goal and a fantastic second one.

Howard played well even if he bobbled a few balls. Doesn't concern me at all.


And Bradley. Bradley, Bradley, Bradley. He was the MOTM and was really able to do what we need him to do with Beck/Jones behind him.

I really liked that line-up and am looking forward to the Ghana match even more now!

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libero
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I'll join the chorus in thinking this was a pretty good match by the US and a definite improvement over the two previous games.

Jones is the player who really impressed me, his frenetic energy is perfect for playing where he did in midfield and combined with Beckerman and Bradley this US midfield will supply solid defensive cover which also helps the defense look much better than it has in recent games.

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vince stravino
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Bedoya vs Zusi? Zusi has been special for the past year with his ability to cross. Bedoya has a bit more speed and gets back on defense quicker. The choice may prove to be made on the opposition. Bedoya (and Beckerman) were really loose on a few passes last night. Seemed the speed of the match was maxing out their skill set.

Bradley was awesome. Altidore broke through. Jones was solid. Howard was steady and sporatically brillant.

I was concerned at how Nigeria did get behind the US several times when we subbed out the starters. Gonzo is really looking iffy on a consistent basis.

Our fitness looked spot on heading into the tropics. Not something that can be under-estimated. Conditioning, like speed and height, usually does not slump.

Nigeria? Whew. They look unsettled heading into this thing. Some credit has to be given to the US effort in frustrating them and rattling their minds.

Really nice team effort that was played at a high pace.
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americafutbol10
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BEST performance yet, IMO :D

- Jozy is BACK...that 2nd goal was world-class :)

- Bradley is, without question, the engine that runs this team!

- Howard was...typical Howard!

- Fabian Johnson is quickly developing into one of the most important pieces in the US puzzle & the RB answer we've been looking for!

- Beasley should start v Ghana and, hopefully, can bring the same kind of effort!

- Dempsey might not have scored but he's in great form B)

- Didn't think I would like it but the Beckerman-Jones at CDM formation worked like a charm, allowing Bradley to run the show without worrying about Jones!

- Not thrilled with the PK but only mistake by Besler, in an otherwise solid performance.

- Crowd support was great again...this team seems to be growing on the nation!


Very happy with the team's progression through the send-off series & while there are kinks to work out, just want to say...BRING ON GHANA!!! ;)
US Soccer...Don't Thread On Me!

Michigan Football...Harbaugh Effect (GO BLUE!)

LA Galaxy...5-time MLS Cup Champions!

Colombia...VIVA, Cafeteros!
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Rufus T. Firefly
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A very pleasing performance for sure. Ok we all know it is just a friendly and who knows how hard Nigeria really were playing (they did look rather lethargic especially in the 2nd half) but what I liked is how the US improved each game it played in the send off series. And of course Altidore getting his mojo back is vital for Us success. as Turkey's coach admitted, Altidore can be a handful for opposing centerbacks. All he needed was to regain his confidence and then we could see the Altidore who roasted Spain at Confed Cup 2009 and who was on fire last summer in WCQ.

Regaining Altidore's confidence, finding a position where Jermaine Jones can run around and harry the opposition without exposing the backline and getting the defense to play solidly were three big goals met in this Nigeria match and that should really have the Us ready for Ghana. We all know this is THE GAME in the group stage, anything less than 3 points and qualifying will be substantially hampered, so the positive way the US ended its warmups can only help the team going into the Ghana match.
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dafyd
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3 solid wins (yes, the first one was a bit of a battle, but I'd say that the wind was more a problem than the opposition) but the real test of course is yet to come. We need to beat Ghana to even have a chance to get through to the 2nd round. At that point a single point from either Germany or Italy could see the US make it through.

If they play as well in Brazil as they did against Nigeria I don't think it will be enough. Frankly, I doubt we'll make it to the 2nd round. But I'd love to be proved wrong.
Leper In A Stange Land
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