The Algerian side was thought of to be the easiest team in the group when the pairings were announced, but they absolutely cannot be taken lightly in the least bit. After losing to Slovenia 1-0 in the opening game (where they outplayed the Slovenians, and save for a goalkeeping gaffe would have gotten a point), they drew with England, showing that they are very much a big threat but also illustrating that they could give the USMNT problems.
The Desert Foxes are an enigma; One minute they look like world beaters, and in the next moment they show the patience and maturity of a U-10 soccer team. Midfielders Hassan Yebda and Karim Ziani form a dangerous pairing in the midfield. They both showed immense skill against England and time after time proved to be very effective in regards to their passing ability. They like to get forward and attack in the final third. Midfielder Ryad Boudebouz is very clever and adventurous on the ball and showed his cheeky skill quite well against England. Forward Karim Matmour provides the threat up top for Algeria. He has good size and speed on the ball and looks to push ad nauseum. He is a club teammate of United States Midfielder Michael Bradley so that should bode well for the Americans as they have inside knowledge of Matmour. Oddly enough, the player the Americans should most keep an eye out for and fear would be Portsmouth leftback Nadir Belhadj. Belhadj was an absolute terror against the English, tearing up and down the flanks with his incredible speed. He most definitely is one of the paciest players in the world and had the penchant for causing immense difficulty on the left side with his skillful footwork and his deft crosses. United States right back Steve Cherundolo definitely has his hands full with Belhadj and it is paramount for him to neutralize Belhadj as best as possible. An area to possibly exploit would be the frequency that Belhadj enters up the pitch, as he's sometimes exposed and thusly out of position. This would be prime for Landon Donovan to take advantage of.
PREDICTED LINEUP V ALGERIA:
Altidore Dempsey
Holden Clark Bradley Donovan
Bocanegra Demerit Onyewu Cherundolo
Howard
Clint Dempsey will get the start just due to the magnitude of this game. I don't see Bob Bradley trotting out Edson Buddle or Herculez Gomez just simply for the fact that they lack experience on the worlds stage, and Dempsey doesn't. The fact that Dempsey also scores many of his goals for the Americans while playing up top bodes well for that choice. Stuart Holden looks to be the first midfielder off the bench for Bradley playing on the flanks. He has good pace but more importantly he works extremely hard. His will and grit in the midfield will definitely be tested by the athletic and skilled midfield of Algeria. Ricardo Clark takes his place back in the centre of the park due to his prowess of breaking plays up and making it difficult for the midfields of opposing teams to function. His play is going to be key if the Americans are to slow down the midfield of the Desert Foxes.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:
United States 2 Algeria 1
I think this will be a hard fought game with the teams battling to get into the second round. Algeria possesses great confidence at the moment and the game will definitely be a war. Algeria is a very athletic and skilled team. One needs to remember that the majority of these players grew up in France and played in youth games for the French National Team, so they definitely have talent even if they are not household names. The volitile nature of the Algerians might prove to be a positive for the Americans, especially if frustration sets in. The Algerians are known to have literal tantrums and even provide dangerous play physically if the game isn't going in their favor. It will leave their team open to counterattacks especially since they carry the stigma of being somewhat lazy.Though Algeria hasn't scored yet in this tournament, the United States is susceptible to allowing weak and inopportune goals, and I feel like one of the solid Algerian midfielders will put one away. It would not surprise me however, to see the United States winning handily. If the United States can come out and not allow an early goal and actually take the lead, it will put pressure on Algeria and thusly they may crack. Their willingness at pushing up the pitch already leaves them prime for a defensive lapse, but if they are down a goal it leaves them exposed even more. After the triumphant come back v Slovenia and the controversy over the disallowed goal, there's no way in my mind that Bradley's bunch does not come out with the will to win. I expect them to play very well.
This game represents more than just a move to the second round. A win would help to enhance the belief that the sport is growing in the country and isn't just a passing interest come world cup time. Sure, the sport is exponentially growing in the United States but for it to take the next step in popularity, the team needs to move to the round of 16 and strike when the proverbial iron is hot (in terms of the mass amounts of interest and media coverage on the National Team, which has been unprecedented). The importance of the result of this match cannot be understated.
JOGA BONITO
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