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USA vs Ghana (WC; Group Stage); Monday 16 Jun 14; Natal, Brazil 1800 ET
Topic Started: Jun 8 2014, 09:36 AM (587 Views)
vince stravino
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If this is the MUST win game, we all must see it! It is on ESPN.
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americafutbol10
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I'm going to go ahead & predict the starting XI:

--------------------Howard-----------------
Johnson-----Cameron--Besler---Beasley
------------Beckerman---Jones-----------
--Bedoya---------Bradley-----Dempsey--
------------Altidore-------------------------

Subs: If ahead; Omar, Brooks & Davis. If tied or behind; Zusi, Yedlin & Johannsson.
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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vince stravino
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I like the guy, but Omar ain't seeing the field against the speed of Ghana. He may be nicked up as the announcers alluded to during the Nigeria broadcast. He just is not playing well for an extended period now.
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tnorth88
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Ghana showed explosiveness and strength in their warmup against SK tonight. The Koreans were weak on D and that reflected the score line.
The JK tactical system is designed for this game. We will have to be solid to have a chance.
The good news Ghana was disorganized when the Koreans attacked with speed and quickness.
IMO we have a chance for a result.
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shelsoccer
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I agree about Ghana last night. They were lethal on the counter, which tells we better get the first goal.
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americafutbol10
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I think we all know that Ghana is VERY suspect, defensively, but lethal on the counter. Begs the question...which formation would be best to take advantage of Ghana's weakness, while protecting our back four?

IMO, the Nigeria game was a perfect example of how to play Ghana & think it would be best to have Beckerman & Jones as the first line of defense, while allowing Bradley to control & create from the central midfield.

Thoughts?

Re: Omar...you're right, vince! On second thought, don't see Omar playing in this game :(
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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TonyDE
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How is Ghana suspect on defense? They may not be the strongest defensive team in the competition but their defense has been pretty decent when I have seen them play.

I am wondering if Klinsmann will use the same starting Xi that began against Nigeria. Very possible he will but I also think there is a chance Zusi plays instead of Bedoya. Zusi a little more refined in his play, Bedoya quicker and covers more ground.
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tnorth88
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Tony, its all relative. Ghana is a good team in both directions. My comment was specifically about the SK match. G's defense was penetrated by the Ks several times. Thus an opportunity for the US on a quick counter.
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garbaggio
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Ghana's defenses made some risky passes against S. Korea in spite of winning 4-0. One in particular that I remember was when a central defender passed the ball way back into space by the left corner flag. There was no one in that part of the field for Ghana. Kwadwo Asamoah, an attacking player slotted in at left fullback, sprinted over and used a backheel to keep the ball from going out of bounds. But he saved it for a South Korean who took it toward goal leading to some more panicky moments in Ghana's defense.

That was just one play and I don't know how often that kind of thing happens to their defense but it was almost comical. K. Asamoah is very skillful and could kill the US next week, but he's more likely to do it on offense than defense (he scored one of the goals of the season for Juventus in Serie A dribbling through a packed defense).

I agree with folks that think Klinsmann should use about the same starting lineup and formation as he used in Jacksonville against Nigeria.
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tnorth88
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The big game is tomorrow. Finally.
For all the coaches out there. How would you defense the USA? What are the teams relative weaknesses? How would you attack the US?

My answer is to attack the US from the wing. Particularly if we line up as against Nigeria. And focus on the right our left - Beasley's side. Beasley is the weak link in the US back line. And the center backs are not overly experienced at this level and haven't played together long so crosses are an effective weapon.

And focus on quickly closing Bradley down. Whether man marking or just many on him. Sort of like they did to Messi today.

How does the US counter this? 2 in front of the center backs is a start. But the center backs will need to be very focused and not lose concentration. And the outside halves will have to support.

If Bradley is effectively closed down our response is more difficult. JK focused on possession and defense in his picks for the outside halves. None of them are a Donovan and don't have the same attacking skills.

JK preaches possession. Against strong sides the few opportunities we will create will be important. We shall see how effective the players we have will match against experienced world level opposition.
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Sammy Maudlin
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Are we discussing this game here? In the World Cup, Group G discussion? Or both?

tnorth brings up a good question about how we think opponents should attack the US. I agree with him on wing play, and Ghna with Juventus' Kwadwo Asamoah and Marseille's Andre Ayew have good threats on the wings. I would also try and test the speed of the US central defenders.

As for pressuring Bradley, yeah I'd think that would be a good way to stop the US attack. But Johnson from the right has also emerged as a generator of opportunities which is why his battle with Asamoah could be key to this match.

If the US is to succeed, they will I feel need to counter attack with speed and can't be wasteful with their chances. defensively the US need to keep organized and not let Ghana's speed and dribbling beat them.
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raconteur
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Good question tnorth. Like Sammy I think the US weakness is defending on the wings and the inexperience of the central defenders. The US' strength, its ability to counter attack and get a lot of players forward very quickly.

Bradley and Fabian Johnson will be key but so too should be Altidore and Dempsey. All 4 need to produce today.
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tnorth88
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Our waiting is over! The US played them well 4 years ago and was unlucky allowing a last minute goal. We will be ok this year. Go USA!
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Yogi
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No word on the US lineup yet but we expect it will be the same as we saw vs Nigeria in Jacksonville with the possible exception of Mexico's favorite man Graham Zusi in place of Alejandro Bedoya.

Here is Ghana's starting XI:

Kwarasey; Opare, Mensah, Boye, Asamoah; A. Ayew, Rabiu, Muntari, Atsu; J. Ayew, Gyan

You will note neither Essien or Kevin prince Boateng are in the starting lineup. neither is Abdul Waris, a likely starter until injured vs Korea in the pre tournament warm up.

I am with tnorth, the US can do this and after seeing what happened to Portugal, and their losses for future games due to suspension/injury, this is a golden opportunity for both the US and Ghana.

Seize the moment!
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Yogi
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Now have confirmation of US lineup, the same as against Nigeria:

Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley; Beckerman, Jones, Bradley, Bedoya; Dempsey, Altidore
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