Keys v Slovenia

This being the second of three group play matches is of great importance to both sides. Slovenia currently sit atop Group C with 3 points, followed with the United States and England level at 1 a piece, ending with Algeria in last place with none. This is close to a must win for the Americans, because it's more than likely that England will beat Algeria, so it's imperative to gain points out of this match.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Use the width of the pitch

Slovenia plays very similarly to the United States in that they play incredibly compact while absorbing pressure. Their physical defense is very staunch and fundamental, allowing only 4 goals in 10 World Cup qualifying matches. In the first match v Algeria, the speed of the Desert Foxes caused the Slovenians many problems, especially out on the flank. This is where the majority of the few scoring chances stemmed from. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey will have the opportunities to go forward in this game, much more than they did against England. Their speed will be key, and it would not be a surprise to see Coach Bob Bradley insert DaMarcus Beasley into the game at some point. There's even the possibility that Beasley sees a start in this game where the United States will look to attack early and often. Within that same notion, the back four of Slovenia looked slow and sometimes plodding against Algeria, so that could be an area in which the USMNT exposes.

2. Contain Robert Koren and Milivoje Novakovic

Slovenia is not a team that is free flowing a la Argentina, Spain, or Germany, but they do have some offensive quality on the pitch. The nature of their offensive philosophy as I previously mentioned is one of the counterattacking variety. They stay concise and compact defensively and look to break at the opportune moments. The two individuals leading those opportunities are central midfielder Robert Koren and forward Milivoje Novakovic. Koren is the maestro that looks to spray the ball around to the pacy outside midfielders in Valter Birsa and Andraz Kirm. He is the engine that makes the team go and has to be smothered by the midfield of the United States. Novakovic is a taller target forward that is very mobile. He does play like a smaller player and frequently floats down in the midfield where he facilitates up the pitch to the aforementioned outside midfielders. He doesn't play positionally like a true forward but he's dangerous nonetheless. Bradley's boys have to be cognizant of these two players at all times if they are to be victorious.

3. Prevent an early goal

This should be rather self explanatory but Bradley's side has the frequent propensity to allow early goals. This isn't ideal by any means as it puts the team in an early hole but it can't continue. Coming back against England was allowed by the gifted goal of the much maligned England goalkeeper Robert Green, but the Slovenians are arguably more cohesive of a unit defensively and it will not be easy scoring goals against them.

JOGA BONITO