USA vs Portugal

[Pete Def]

This statement absolutely screams ignorance. You only know three players on the whole roster, but that's enough for you to make a decision about the quality of the whole team?

If Portugal had this same logic they'd say The USA is nothing special. They've only heard of 2 or 3 of our players and only Dempsey and Bradley have achieved middling success in any significant European league.

 

[bksballer89]

Well I doubt they are at all. This is a win or go home game for them. They have their backs against the wall. I think Portugal is a very dangerous team to be playing right now. Their World Cup life and their personal pride as players are on the line and I think well be getting their A game.

And they'll be getting our A game as well.

 

[olympicoscar]

Is Ronaldo really healthy? I think we need to lean on him to find out. Germany bottled him up. I think we can do the same. We need maximum motivation for this game.

The worst thing that could happen would be an early goal against us.

 

[bksballer89]

We need to hold possession better

 

[romeo212000]

Klinsmann going to deploy a 4-2-3-1 by adding Zusi. Looks pretty defensive to me. I'm not sure I agree. Dempsey isn't a target forward and I think we need to step on portugal's throat.

 

[RegentDenali]

MANAUS, Brazil -- Jurgen Klinsmann has made the move he needed to make to try and help the U.S. national team contain Cristiano Ronaldo and book a place in the World Cup Round of 16. He has turned to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Clint Dempsey taking on Jozy Altidore’s role as target striker, while packing the midfield with players capable of making things difficult for the Portuguese.

Aron Johannsson and Chris Wondolowski had been expected to compete for the role left available by Altidore’s hamstring injury, but Klinsmann has instead turned to Dempsey to play in a role he hasn’t played much of for the U.S. team during his national team career.

Based on the lineup it is clear Klinsmann is focused on containing Ronaldo, with Alejandro Bedoya chosen to start and play on the right flank, where Ronaldo prefers to roam. Normally a lineup with Bedoya and Graham Zusi would see Zusi deployed in his natural right-wing role, but Bedoya’s superior work rate makes him a better option to try and keep tabs on Ronaldo and provide support for U.S. right back Fabian Johnson.

The 4-2-3-1 set-up will see Jermaine Jones returning to his more traditional defensive midfield role, playing alongside Kyle Beckerman. Jones had impressed playing in a wider role in recent matches, but his presence will be needed centrally to deal with Portuguese playmakers Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles.

Michael Bradley will be deployed in an advanced midfield role, underneath Dempsey, where Klinsmann will be hoping he can be more effective than he was against Ghana. Bradley endured an uncharacteristically poor showing in the Group G opener, but with more options to combine with in midfield, Bradley could thrive.

Matt Besler has recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him out of the opening win against Ghana, while the rest of the defense remains the same, including DaMarcus Beasley, who will be a player Portugal is sure to target with the attacking speed of Manchester United winger Nani.

Starting XI: Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley; Beckerman, Jones; Bedoya, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

 

[bksballer89]

Donovan doesn't agree with it either

 

[RegentDenali]

Prof X will be on our side.

 

[RegentDenali]

Klinsmann going to deploy a 4-2-3-1 by adding Zusi. Looks pretty defensive to me. I'm not sure I agree. Dempsey isn't a target forward and I think we need to step on portugal's throat.

It's possible this is just Klins way of judging how much Portugal is truly injured or faking leading up to this. Plenty of time as the game evolves to go into a better attack formation if Portugal is showing weakness.

 

[Logicallylethal]

Looks like the US is going defense with their formation. Probably playing for the tie and counter attacks.

Not sure how I feel about it. Dempsey plays best when he has a forward up there with him. But I can see the logic in the strategy. Bottle up Ronaldo and grind them out.

 

[RegentDenali]

USMNT getting ready to take the field earlier during practice.

 

[romeo212000]

Lets do this shit!!!

 

[RegentDenali]

 

[RegentDenali]

Weather conditions are being called mild today at Manaus. Not as hot and humid as predicted. Light breeze.

 

[OregonDucks]

Does it actually start at 6 est? Or more like 6:15 after they show national anthems and give us rundowns on each history?

 

[bksballer89]

Starting now

 

[OregonDucks]

I'll tune in

 

[OregonDucks]

Chip Kelly needs to coach soccer...get some scoring

 

[RegentDenali]

Ronaldo doesn't look damaged at all. Smoke and mirrors by Portugal. He's 100%

 

[Logicallylethal]

Wow.....