VIEWS OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Day 10 Predictions

Game 1: Paraguay v Slovakia (7:30 am est/4:30 am pst)

Prediction: Slovakia 2 Paraguay 1


Game 2: Italy v New Zealand (10:00 am est/7 am pst)

Prediction: Italy 2 New Zealand 0


Game 3: Cote d'Ivoire v Brazil (2:30 pm est/11:30 am pst)

Prediction: Brazil 3 Cote d'Ivoire 2

JOGA BONITO

Friday, June 18, 2010

Day 9 Predictions

Game 1: Netherlands v Japan (7 am est/ 4 am pst)

Prediction: Netherlands 3 Japan 1


Game 2: Ghana v Australia (10 am est/7 am pst)

Prediction: Ghana 2 Australia 0


Game 3: Denmark v Cameroon (2:30 pm est/11:30 am pst)

Prediction: Cameroon 2 Denmark 2

JOGA BONITO

FINAL: Slovenia 2 United States 2

Once again, the USMNT conceded an early goal and went down 2-0 at halftime before a storming comeback in the second half saw the team tie Slovenia 2-2. Goals by Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley were extremely well taken, and a third goal by Maurice Edu was disallowed by a call not understood to anyone but the referee. The officiating of this match was lackluster, to say the least, and this game definitely goes down as the most controversial of this tournament, and the most exciting as well.


The team sits with 2 points heading into their final match v Algeria. Slovenia tops the group with 4 points as the two teams await the England v Algeria match later today (2:30 pm est/11:30 am pst).


JOGA BONITO

Official Lineup v Slovenia

Here is the lineup just made official moments ago...

Howard

Bocanegra Onyewu Demerit Cherundolo

Dempsey Torres Bradley Donovan

Altidore Findley


JOGA BONITO

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Day 8 Predictions

Game 1: Germany v Serbia (7 am est/4 am pst)

Prediction: Germany 2 Serbia 1


Game 2: United States v Slovenia (9:30 am est/6:30 am pst)

Prediction: United States 2 Slovenia 0


Game 3: Algeria v England (2:00 pm est/11:00 am pst)

Prediction: England 3 Algeria 1

JOGA BONITO

Projected Lineup v Slovenia and more

It's going to very interesting to see what Bob Bradley does here. Speed is what gave Slovenia problems in the first game and that facet of the game could be exploited with the possible inclusions of DaMarcus Beasley or Stuart Holden. Jose Torres would be a welcomed sight in the centre of the park for Ricardo Clark. Torres provides a confidence on the ball that no other US midfielder has, not to mention his immense technical ability. His through balls, passing prowess, and cheeky touches could open up the field for Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore to run onto. Another question to answer is whether Robbie Findley will stay up top or if Edson Buddle gets his chance up top. It's been argued that Buddle and Altidore are too similar to start next to one another but it remains to be seen. With that said, here's the lineup I see Bradley trotting out...

Howard

Bocanegra Onyewu Demerit Cherundolo

Donovan Bradley Torres Dempsey

Altidore Findley

I see Findley staying up top just simply due to the speed factor he possesses, although I think Buddle or Herculez Gomez gets into the game much earlier than they did v England. Torres gets the call ahead of Clark just based on what was written above. When he is in the game, the team flows much better and he creates many more scoring opportunities as opposed to Clark. While he doesn't possess the size, grit, or defensive capabilities that Clark does, Torres allows for players to get forward, which will be paramount in a match where spacing will be crucial.

Game Prediction: United States 2 Slovenia 0

I can't see the United States losing this game. They will definitely be prepared and will not take the smallest nation competing in this World Cup lightly. The way the United States took Wayne Rooney out of the match was beautiful, as he didn't even touch the ball until the 17th minute. This will be the plan against Robert Koren as well, as Michael Bradley will draw the assignment in stopping the former West Brom man. The speed of the United States will cause the Slovenians problems in this highly competitive match and I believe that Donovan will have a much more impacting game than he had against England.

Check back tomorrow for more updates and news...

JOGA BONITO

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

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Day 7 Predictions

Game 1: Argentina v South Korea (7 am est/ 4 am pst)

Prediction: Argentina 2 South Korea 1


Game 2: Greece v Nigeria (9:30 est/ 6:30 pst)

Prediction: Nigeria 2 Greece 0


Game 3: France v Mexico (2:30 pm est/11:30 am pst)

Prediction: France 2 Mexico 1

JOGA BONITO

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Day 6 Predictions

Game 1: Honduras v Chile (7 am est/4 am pst)

Prediction: Chile 2 Honduras 1


Game 2: Spain v Switzerland (9:30 am est/6:30 pst)

Prediction: Spain 3 Switzerland 0


Game 3: South Africa v Uruguay (2:30 pm est/11:30 am pst)

Prediction: Uruguay 2 South Africa 0


JOGA BONITO

Day 5 Predictions

Game 1: Slovakia v New Zealand (7 am est/4 pst)

Prediction: Slovakia 3 New Zealand 1


Game 2:
Portugal v Cote d'Ivoire (9:30 am est/6:30 pst)

Prediction: Portugal 2 Cote d'Ivoire 2


Game 3:
Brazil v North Korea

Prediction: Brazil 4 North Korea 0


JOGA BONITO

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Predictions: Day 4

Game 1: Netherlands v Denmark (7 am est/ 4 am pst)

Prediction: Netherlands 3 Denmark 1

Game 2: Cameroon v Japan (9:30 est/6:30 pst)

Prediction: Cameroon 2 Japan 1

Game 3: Italy v Paraguay (2:30 est/11:30 pst)

Prediction: Italy 1 Paraguay 1


JOGA BONITO