Preview Line Up Formation Slovenia vs USA Predictions

Preview Line Up Formation Slovenia vs USA Predictions

While the opener against England got the most hype, Friday’s game against Slovenia has always been the most important game of the World Cup for the U.S. One of these teams will advance, and the other will be heading home.

The importance of the match was amplified by Slovenia’s 1-0 win over Algeria. While the game wasn’t pretty and the only goal was off a keeper error (that seems to be going around), the only thing that really matters is that Slovenia got three points out of the match.

The U.S. is the more talented team and the favorite to win, but no one on the squad will be overlooking Slovenia. The former Yugoslavian Republic qualified after winning a two-legged playoff over heavily favored Russia. The Slovenians are a defensive-minded team, and we will see that against the U.S.

Why the U.S. needs to win
The Slovenia victory against Algeria means that the U.S. needs to win against Slovenia to control its own destiny. If the U.S. wins Friday, they will only need to draw against Algeria to advance, and could win the group with a victory.

With a draw, Slovenia would have four points and the U.S. just two. The U.S. would need to beat Algeria and require Slovenia or England to lose the final match. If England and Slovenia draw, goal difference would decide who advances.

A loss would be nothing short of catastrophic. The U.S. would require a win over Algeria and Slovenia to beat England. That result is unthinkable.


Tactics
Head coach Bob Bradley has stuck with a 4-4-2 formation, and played a version of that against England. In that match, the formation played as a 4-2-2-2, with wingers Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey playing more central as attacking midfielders. Central midfielders Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark played deep roles, acting as defensive midfielders. Head coach Bob Bradley clogged up the middle against a talented England squad.

Against Slovenia, the U.S. will probably revert back to a more traditional 4-4-2. Donovan and Dempsey will always have the creative freedom to move inside with the ball when needed, but will be asked to play as more traditional outside midfielders than in the first match. If the same starting lineup is used, Michael Bradley will have a much bigger attacking role in the offense. The versatile midfielder has proven he can score goals, tallying 16 in the Dutch league two years ago. If the U.S. opts to play a more offensive-minded player in Clark’s spot, Michael Bradley will play a more defensive role.

Defensively, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit will play their usual roles in protecting the middle, while the fullbacks will have the responsibility of supporting the attack. Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra will be crucial to in helping the U.S. keep possession and in providing crosses into the penalty area. The fullbacks need to be careful to not leave open space for Slovenia to exploit when they go forward to attack.


Keys to victory
• Avoid giving up an early goal. After months and months of preparation, the U.S. defense gave up a goal to England in less than four minutes. In a must-win match, the U.S. cannot afford to play from behind.
• Come out aggressive. The U.S. will be in the unique situation of being the favorite in a World Cup match for the first time since playing Iran at the 2002 World Cup. As so, the U.S. will be able to control the tempo and pace of the game, with Slovenia doing everything it can to not concede a goal.
• Stay under control. We have seen that the referees have not been shy in handing out red cards, with six red cards given this tournament. Three of those cards have been straight reds, with two being for dangerous tackles and another for violent conduct. The U.S. had three red cards in five matches at the 2009 Confederations Cup and two red cards at the 2006 World Cup. They may have earned a reputation for dirty play, which while unfair, is a reality the players must keep in mind

Players to watch
• Clint Dempsey. He got a lucky goal against England, but a goal nonetheless. Dempsey has scored against the big-time opponents and will be crucial against Slovenia. The U.S. will play for a win, not a draw, and Dempsey will surely be given the creativity to do whatever he can on the offensive end.
• Michael Bradley. The central midfielder is the only guarantee in the U.S. central midfield and will have a bigger role in the offense for the U.S. The 22-year-old has scored seven international goals and should be able support Donovan and Dempsey in attack.
• Jozy Altidore. While him starting up front is a given, Altidore will feel the need to silence his critics after a poor club season. He nearly won the match with a late goal against England and needs to harness all the talent and ability he had.
• Subsitutes. If the match is tied with about a half-hour remaining, Bob Bradley will look to his bench to give the U.S. the victory. Assuming the same starting lineup is played as in the last match, Stuart Holden and José Francisco Torres will be the midfielders that Bradley would look to bring on to create a goal. Up front, Edson Buddle came on late against England and Herculez Gomez may be the super-sub the team has needed for years. Depending on who Bradley brings in, Dempsey could shift to striker.

Prediction- USA 2, Slovenia 0.
The U.S. is the better team, but that hasn’t always mattered in the World Cup. Hopefully, Friday the Yanks will live up to the hype surrounding the team and the talent it possess.