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***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (2 Viewers)

NewlyRetired said:
cheese said:
Sorry if I missed this discussion, but given the current group standings, how much emphasis will/should the US put on just playing for a tie compared to game 1? Clearly, a tie puts us in a great position, but doesn't guarantee anything either. Do you think we'll play strategically different from the opening kick with that in mind or do you think that is more something that gets considered once we're on like 80 minutes?
Click to expand...
I think/hope we will not play for a draw. It is unlikely Portugal will be as kind to us as Ghana was if we try and sit back the whole game.

But certainly if the score is level after 75 minutes, I could see an all hands on deck, get the point at all costs type of game.

With the desperation that Portugal is in, if we can have an effective counter attacking game, it could play right into our hands but nothing we saw in the Ghana game should give us hope. Bradley has to be on top of his game if we have any hope of countering.

Fab is so important to our offense in this set up and I am sure he is going to be told to be very careful going forward. The only positive thing Portugal had coming out of game one was CRo was going at full speed. To keep him off the board for 2 straight games is going to take some hard work and some luck.
Click to expand...
I'll sort of be shocked if Ronaldo doesn't line up on the right. If Opara was even decent, that side would have been in real trouble against Ghana. Portugal will be all out from the start and that left side is our weakness.

I'm also going to be sort of shocked if Bradley isn't more advanced and told to sort of man-mark Moutinho.

 
How in gods name did JK develop what he felt was his best tactical lineup and not bring a similar back up for Jozy? Either EJ or even the raw Boyd would be pretty interesting right now.

I am a fan of Wondo but I don't think he fits this set up as well as either EJ or Boyd would.

 
wdcrob said:
cheese said:
Sorry if I missed this discussion, but given the current group standings, how much emphasis will/should the US put on just playing for a tie compared to game 1? Clearly, a tie puts us in a great position, but doesn't guarantee anything either. Do you think we'll play strategically different from the opening kick with that in mind or do you think that is more something that gets considered once we're on like 80 minutes?
Click to expand...
JK says they're 100% playing for the win, which I think makes sense. But if it's 1-1 in the 80th minute we'll definitely be happier to hold the ball/waste time/play for the counter and Portugal will be pressing like mad.
Click to expand...
Why fix what's not broken? Go balls out and dominate possession for the first 31 seconds, sit back for the next 85 minutes, then pour it on for the win.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sammy3469 said:
NewlyRetired said:
cheese said:
Sorry if I missed this discussion, but given the current group standings, how much emphasis will/should the US put on just playing for a tie compared to game 1? Clearly, a tie puts us in a great position, but doesn't guarantee anything either. Do you think we'll play strategically different from the opening kick with that in mind or do you think that is more something that gets considered once we're on like 80 minutes?
Click to expand...
I think/hope we will not play for a draw. It is unlikely Portugal will be as kind to us as Ghana was if we try and sit back the whole game.

But certainly if the score is level after 75 minutes, I could see an all hands on deck, get the point at all costs type of game.

With the desperation that Portugal is in, if we can have an effective counter attacking game, it could play right into our hands but nothing we saw in the Ghana game should give us hope. Bradley has to be on top of his game if we have any hope of countering.

Fab is so important to our offense in this set up and I am sure he is going to be told to be very careful going forward. The only positive thing Portugal had coming out of game one was CRo was going at full speed. To keep him off the board for 2 straight games is going to take some hard work and some luck.
Click to expand...
I'll sort of be shocked if Ronaldo doesn't line up on the right. If Opara was even decent, that side would have been in real trouble against Ghana. Portugal will be all out from the start and that left side is our weakness.

I'm also going to be sort of shocked if Bradley isn't more advanced and told to sort of man-mark Moutinho.
Click to expand...
The US is in trouble if Bradley isn't further up the field than he was v Ghana. I am more worried about that team shape than I am about his atypical sloppiness with the ball recurring.

 
NewlyRetired said:
How in gods name did JK develop what he felt was his best tactical lineup and not bring a similar back up for Jozy? Either EJ or even the raw Boyd would be pretty interesting right now.

I am a fan of Wondo but I don't think he fits this set up as well as either EJ or Boyd would.
Click to expand...
agree 101%

 
Sammy3469 said:
NewlyRetired said:
cheese said:
Sorry if I missed this discussion, but given the current group standings, how much emphasis will/should the US put on just playing for a tie compared to game 1? Clearly, a tie puts us in a great position, but doesn't guarantee anything either. Do you think we'll play strategically different from the opening kick with that in mind or do you think that is more something that gets considered once we're on like 80 minutes?
Click to expand...
I think/hope we will not play for a draw. It is unlikely Portugal will be as kind to us as Ghana was if we try and sit back the whole game.

But certainly if the score is level after 75 minutes, I could see an all hands on deck, get the point at all costs type of game.

With the desperation that Portugal is in, if we can have an effective counter attacking game, it could play right into our hands but nothing we saw in the Ghana game should give us hope. Bradley has to be on top of his game if we have any hope of countering.

Fab is so important to our offense in this set up and I am sure he is going to be told to be very careful going forward. The only positive thing Portugal had coming out of game one was CRo was going at full speed. To keep him off the board for 2 straight games is going to take some hard work and some luck.
Click to expand...
I'll sort of be shocked if Ronaldo doesn't line up on the right. If Opara was even decent, that side would have been in real trouble against Ghana. Portugal will be all out from the start and that left side is our weakness.

I'm also going to be sort of shocked if Bradley isn't more advanced and told to sort of man-mark Moutinho.
Click to expand...
I know Ronaldo roams a bit up top but he definitely prefers the left side to attack both at club and country level IMO.

 
Sammy3469 said:
NewlyRetired said:
cheese said:
Sorry if I missed this discussion, but given the current group standings, how much emphasis will/should the US put on just playing for a tie compared to game 1? Clearly, a tie puts us in a great position, but doesn't guarantee anything either. Do you think we'll play strategically different from the opening kick with that in mind or do you think that is more something that gets considered once we're on like 80 minutes?
Click to expand...
I think/hope we will not play for a draw. It is unlikely Portugal will be as kind to us as Ghana was if we try and sit back the whole game.

But certainly if the score is level after 75 minutes, I could see an all hands on deck, get the point at all costs type of game.

With the desperation that Portugal is in, if we can have an effective counter attacking game, it could play right into our hands but nothing we saw in the Ghana game should give us hope. Bradley has to be on top of his game if we have any hope of countering.

Fab is so important to our offense in this set up and I am sure he is going to be told to be very careful going forward. The only positive thing Portugal had coming out of game one was CRo was going at full speed. To keep him off the board for 2 straight games is going to take some hard work and some luck.
Click to expand...
I'll sort of be shocked if Ronaldo doesn't line up on the right. If Opara was even decent, that side would have been in real trouble against Ghana. Portugal will be all out from the start and that left side is our weakness.

I'm also going to be sort of shocked if Bradley isn't more advanced and told to sort of man-mark Moutinho.
Click to expand...
Ronaldo wil move around, but I think we are in position to deal with that - Jones will have to stay back a bit more if Ronaldo is on the right, but I prefer him helping on Ronaldo than Bedoya/Zusi - while I prefer Fabian to Chris Rock as the outside back to cover Ronaldo.

Key will be to bottle him up, and be a bit physical - so I fully expect Jones to get his first card, hope its only 1...

 
NewlyRetired said:
How in gods name did JK develop what he felt was his best tactical lineup and not bring a similar back up for Jozy? Either EJ or even the raw Boyd would be pretty interesting right now.

I am a fan of Wondo but I don't think he fits this set up as well as either EJ or Boyd would.
Click to expand...
Its interesting, in that as I think about this now - if Wondo starts, it probably makes more sense to start Zusi - better crosses, better chance for Wondo to be in the right place at the right time.

 
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.

 
General Malaise said:
Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Bradley is the bald guy

He was very poor against Ghana

He is our best player, which is why you see him mentioned so much. He HAS to play better if the US wants to advance

 
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Caillou-looking fella? Thats Bradley. And no, he did not play well, but he is still an important part of the team, and he needs to play well for the US to advance.

 
Norman Paperman said:
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Caillou-looking fella? Thats Bradley. And no, he did not play well, but he is still an important part of the team, and he needs to play well for the US to advance.
Click to expand...
My 2 year old son is totally super confused whenever his sister mentioned Caillou anymore... little dude does not know if it is soccer or cartoon time.

 
Sammy3469 said:
I'll sort of be shocked if Ronaldo doesn't line up on the right. If Opara was even decent, that side would have been in real trouble against Ghana. Portugal will be all out from the start and that left side is our weakness.

I'm also going to be sort of shocked if Bradley isn't more advanced and told to sort of man-mark Moutinho.
Click to expand...
Might be an interesting solution to roll the dice on Brooks...

Cameron Besler Brooks Fab

Wonder if they even took a look at that in training?

 
Norman Paperman said:
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Caillou-looking fella? Thats Bradley. And no, he did not play well, but he is still an important part of the team, and he needs to play well for the US to advance.
Click to expand...
He does look like Caillou. :lmao:

 
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Keegan Michael Key is the goalie. HTH

 
Jaysus said:
Norman Paperman said:
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Caillou-looking fella? Thats Bradley. And no, he did not play well, but he is still an important part of the team, and he needs to play well for the US to advance.
Click to expand...
My 2 year old son is totally super confused whenever his sister mentioned Caillou anymore... little dude does not know if it is soccer or cartoon time.
Click to expand...
My 2 year old, just likes finding out what color the housekeeper is wearing and which color he is stopping.

 
wdcrob said:
Sammy3469 said:
I'll sort of be shocked if Ronaldo doesn't line up on the right. If Opara was even decent, that side would have been in real trouble against Ghana. Portugal will be all out from the start and that left side is our weakness. I'm also going to be sort of shocked if Bradley isn't more advanced and told to sort of man-mark Moutinho.
Click to expand...
Might be an interesting solution to roll the dice on Brooks...Cameron Besler Brooks FabWonder if they even took a look at that in training?
Click to expand...
For what ever reason, JK simply does not consider Cam a full back.

I know JK hates playing players in the positions they play at club level, but this would give us the best speed/mobility/distribution combination

Chandler.....Cam....Besler......Fab

Of course last time we saw this group he stuck Chandler on the left where he never plays and is obviously uncomfortable playing in.

 
wdcrob said:
Let's talk about the US lineup on Sunday... if we try to play the same way (which I'd be tempted to do given how strong we've been at the back)...

---------Howard

Fab Cameron Besler? Beasley

-----Zusi Beckerman Jones

-------Bradley Johannsson

----------Dempsey

(Giving Zusi the start this time, planning to bring Bedoya in for Jones so they've all three played less than 180 minutes in the two games.)

What are the alternatives?
Click to expand...
This isn't going to happen, but would be interesting:

Howard

Cameron -- Besler -- Brooks

Fabian -- Beckerman -- Bradley -- Jones

Zusi -- Dempsey

Bacon

 
I believe today is the first day a team can possibly either make the second round or get knocked out for good.

"Knocked out"...... Yikes, it feels like the WC just started.

 
NewlyRetired said:
I believe today is the first day a team can possibly either make the second round or get knocked out for good.

"Knocked out"...... Yikes, it feels like the WC just started.
Click to expand...
Correct.

In Group A, with Brazil and Mexico on 4 points, if there is a winner in the Croatia v Cameroon game then the loser will be eliminated as they could get no more than 3 points from their third game.

In Group B, if both Netherlands and Chile win they would both hac 6 points putting Spain and Australia out. If Netherlands wins and Spain/Chile draw, then Australia are out.

 
NewlyRetired said:
Gator,

I am not sure if you saw my post yesterday or if I missed your response but can you take a crack at the Portugal line up?

It looks like Pepe, Hugo Almieda, and Coentrao are out and there was an article I linked last night that says Patricio (the keeper) might be out as well
Click to expand...
If Patricio is out, that helps Portugal, Beto is better imo

RB J Pereira

CB Alves

CB Costa

LB Neto- guessing here and this would state their intentions. Neto is their Cameron, CB by trade playing fullback for his club team. If they roll out A Almieda, that will be more attacking. If it's AA, then our right side(fab, Zusi/Bedoya) could take advantage..make Cristiano work harder on defense to cover for a non-fullback?

MF- Veloso, Meireles, Moutinho- they lack a true DM, another reason why I think Wondo can do well. There's not great cover for two aged, slow CBs.

Cristiano :wub: and Nani on the wings.

Helder Postiga or Eder, Eder is the more physical guy and likely to start. He started their last friendly and came on against Germany. He's nothing our CBs can't handle in normal play, but could cause damage on set pieces. Nelson Oliveira would have been money here, but didn't make the cut

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Jaysus said:
Norman Paperman said:
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Caillou-looking fella? Thats Bradley. And no, he did not play well, but he is still an important part of the team, and he needs to play well for the US to advance.
Click to expand...
My 2 year old son is totally super confused whenever his sister mentioned Caillou anymore... little dude does not know if it is soccer or cartoon time.
Click to expand...
I believe he was known as "Lex Lutor" while at Roma.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
Jaysus said:
Norman Paperman said:
General Malaise said:
Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a different language entirely up I'm here.

Bradley is the bald guy, right? He didn't exactly impress me vs Ghana. Is that a poor observation or did he play just fine? Seemed like his passing was off target and he seems a touch slow.
Click to expand...
Caillou-looking fella? Thats Bradley. And no, he did not play well, but he is still an important part of the team, and he needs to play well for the US to advance.
Click to expand...
My 2 year old son is totally super confused whenever his sister mentioned Caillou anymore... little dude does not know if it is soccer or cartoon time.
Click to expand...
I believe he was known as "Lex Lutor" while at Roma.
Click to expand...
Best goal call ever :)

http://youtu.be/fLrN5Q6pMx0

 
Premier said:
Does Gator root for Portugal over the US? I don't get the shtick.
Click to expand...
I was devastated when they were drawn together, but I pull for the USA if they're head to head. Both parents are Portuguese and my mom was born in the Azores, so I have strong ties there.

 
The Cameroon-Croatia situation is interesting. In their 3rd game if they were to tie they are virtually eliminated. A tie today however, would still leave both of them still controlling their own fate.

A loss for Cameroon or Croatia today eliminates that team.

A tie today keeps both alive and it works out that either (or both) of them can advance with a win by 2 goals in their 3rd game.

Yes the idea of Cameroon beating Brazil by 2 goals is ridiculous but it's still pretty amazing.

A win by either team is of marginal help (it basically is worth 1 goal in game 3 - they can then advance by simply winning game 3).

Technically it is possible that a team winning today can advance with a tie in the 3rd game. However that would take their opponent today (who will be eliminated) going out there and winning their last game - probably needing a winning margin as well.

I love the FIFA standings combinations :nerd:

-QG

 
wdcrob said:
Slapdash said:
This isn't going to happen, but would be interesting:

Howard

Cameron -- Besler -- Brooks

Zusi -- Beckerman -- Jones -- Fabian

Bradley -- Dempsey

Bacon
Click to expand...
Agree it's unlikely, but that's how those players would line up with wingbacks IMO.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Was just thinking a little more defensive with Fabian and Jones harassing Ronaldo/Nani up and down the field.

Bedoya or Mix would probably be better than Zusi if he was playing more centrally.

 
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