Pretoria - U.S.A.~ Algeria - June 23

[westcoast ape]

This is a tough match, but I wonder if the US will have the same problems against Algeria that England did.

The Algerian defenders and midfielders are certainly quick and nimble-footed, often poking the ball away from English attackers to gain possession. The USA doesn't rely so much on that kind of game though, the second goal against Slovenia (by Bradley) being much more our style - a knock-down and blast into the net.

The problem for the USA is that our defense is relatively slow, and even though the Algerians have shown little goal-scoring threat as yet, with their clever ball movement and pace they might find some room.

I'll go for 3-1 to the US. Count me among those that want Buddle and Altidore up front, leave Dempsey on the wing. Holden is a good player, but Dempsey has more magic.

 

[sotnas]

Don't underestimate the algerians.

 

[The Yank]

This... Im not worried about Donovan, he's been our best player this tournament (with Bradley a close 2nd)... Dempsey needs to do something other than take up space on the field... I get the feeling that unless he is scoring, he's not doing anything.

Well then you have a horrible feel for what people are doing. Dempsey covers a great deal of ground in a game. The only person that covers more is Donovan. I think Dempsey catches too much flack. I have felt it at times but he has been fantastic for us for a while. I think we just don't notice everything he does sometimes.

 

[TX Bill]

*Threads Merged*

 

[TX Bill]

A clean sheet and an Altidore goal would do me just fine.

 

[jdeezy]

Well then you have a horrible feel for what people are doing. Dempsey covers a great deal of ground in a game. The only person that covers more is Donovan. I think Dempsey catches too much flack. I have felt it at times but he has been fantastic for us for a while. I think we just don't notice everything he does sometimes.

Yep. He's nowhere near as ineffective as people often perceive. Defo gets unfair slack from yank fans.

Any of us who have ever played can recall that guy who was deceptively effective, almost sneaky good. Clint is not a speed burner but he's very physical, has good skill/ball control (very unique qualities within our pool), is tactically much more astute than he gets credit for, is a very good finisher/scorer for a mid/winger (outside long range, inside/poachers, headers), has ability to make something out of nothing, consistently delivers dramatic/clutch goals, is very versatile which gives bob increased options in-game, & yes...even covers MUCH more ground than people realize (which I believe is often one of the primary knocks/assumptions...that he's somehow "lazy" or doesn't work hard enough; couldn't be further from the truth).

Is he perfect? Of course not. But he's a HUGE asset & we should be very grateful to have him. There are very few players on our squad more vital to our success than Clint. We don't have the luxury of starting a Cesc, Silva, Mata, etc., from the bench (& leaving mikel, senna, cazorla, etc., HOME ALTOGETHER!).

He bleeds red, white, & blue. He's passionate about our team & country. He's easily one of our most successful yanks abroad at club level. Let's please stop giving this guy constant unwarranted slack. It bothers him, as evident by some recent interviews. He doesn't understand it, & he's RIGHT!

Keep doin' what you do Deuce Dizzle-Izzle. We love you, no matter what our overzealous & irrational interweb antics may lead you to believe!

 

[Nordecke]

Yep. He's nowhere near as ineffective as people often perceive. Defo gets unfair slack from yank fans.

Any of us who have ever played can recall that guy who was deceptively effective, almost sneaky good. Clint is not a speed burner but he's very physical, has good skill/ball control (very unique qualities within our pool), is tactically much more astute than he gets credit for, is a very good finisher/scorer for a mid/winger (outside long range, inside/poachers, headers), has ability to make something out of nothing, consistently delivers dramatic/clutch goals, is very versatile which gives bob increased options in-game, & yes...even covers MUCH more ground than people realize (which I believe is often one of the primary knocks/assumptions...that he's somehow "lazy" or doesn't work hard enough; couldn't be further from the truth).

Is he perfect? Of course not. But he's a HUGE asset & we should be very grateful to have him. There are very few players on our squad more vital to our success than Clint. We don't have the luxury of starting a Cesc, Silva, Mata, etc., from the bench (& leaving mikel, senna, cazorla, etc., HOME ALTOGETHER!).

He bleeds red, white, & blue. He's passionate about our team & country. He's easily one of our most successful yanks abroad at club level. Let's please stop giving this guy constant unwarranted slack. It bothers him, as evident by some recent interviews. He doesn't understand it, & he's RIGHT!

Keep doin' what you do Deuce Dizzle-Izzle. We love you, no matter what our overzealous & irrational interweb antics may lead you to believe!

Well said, and I agree 100%

 

[jhf14]

Well then you have a horrible feel for what people are doing. Dempsey covers a great deal of ground in a game. The only person that covers more is Donovan. I think Dempsey catches too much flack. I have felt it at times but he has been fantastic for us for a while. I think we just don't notice everything he does sometimes.

body language speaks volumes... watch him on the field, the man appears dis-interested and complains if he doesn't get the ball exactly on his foot (and then fails to track back if disposessed). I still think he is one of our best players, but his inability to get over his Donovan complex will always be his problem. His club form is a step up in my opinion... but perhaps because there isn't as much pressure on him specifically to do well - who knows.

 

[jhf14]

My projected line-up:

--------------Altidore---------Buddle---------------

Dempsey------------------------------------Donovan

----------------Bradley--------Edu--------------------

Bocanegra----Onyewu----DeMerit-------Cherundolo

----------------------Howard----------------------------


I would rather not see Gooch in there, but BB loves him and will keep him in the back. I have a strong feeling that Buddle will be up top because of his ability to link up with Donovan pretty well ... which of course would leave a very intelligent striker in Gomez to come on off the bench and do what he does best (I kind of like the idea of Gomez starting, but just can't see Buddle being effective coming into a game later on).

Last alternative could be Dempsey up top but I'm not entirely convinced of that option.

I also have Edu in there, but that is more of a gut feeling than anything. I think BB will go with him because of his knack to get the dirty "scrum" goals - something we need if we want to move on. Clark would be another option but perhpas a bit too defensive. I know more options open up if you put Dempsey up top and bring on DMB or Holden (which I don't feel all that comfortable with).

 

[Rook]

Dempsey gets slack for being lazy and not tracking back. There is some truth to this. However he knows when pick his spots and is almost always still fresh at the end of a match which is one reason why he scores a lot of late goals. He's also lousy at defense anyway so its probably better that he hangs around closer to the goal anyway. When Clark/Edu and Bradley are in the CM there should in theory be more than enough defenders in the back.

I don't much difference in Edu and Clark talentwise. I think Clark works a little better with Bradley though so that's why I'd start Clark.

Algeria is going to have to push forward they have to win too.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Howard

Cherundulo
DeMerit
Onyewu
Bocanegra

Holden
Bradley
Torres
Dempsey

Donovan

Altidore

Id go like that, Donovan basically getting a free role and dropping into midfield when needed. Algeria are decent in possession, I think USA will need that extra man in there.

 

[jhf14]

Howard

Cherundulo
DeMerit
Onyewu
Bocanegra

Holden
Bradley
Torres
Dempsey

Donovan

Altidore

Id go like that, Donovan basically getting a free role and dropping into midfield when needed. Algeria are decent in possession, I think USA will need that extra man in there.

before the tournament I would have agreed with you on Torres, and I was really pumped when he got the nod last game... but he was terrible (scared?) and I don't think he is ready for a game of this magnitude quite yet.

 

[westcoast ape]

I used to count myself among those that didn't rate Dempsey. Not only not for the nats, but even back when he palyed for the NE Revolution. I felt he was better at carrying the ball laterally than he was at penetrating a defense, and that people got caught up in his daring and skill when really he was apt to lose the ball in a dangerous position with the way he was dribbling the ball.

But he has changed a bit. When he does carry the ball laterally he is apt to earn a foul - the guy earns so many dangerous free kicks for us, and the way we depend on them you can't discount his value in that regard -- and he is better at getting forward with the ball on his foot as well.

Is Dempsey essential to this team the way that Donovan or Howard are? No, but it is very close.

 

[NHRevs]

I think Bob fell into the 4-2-3-1 that works for us almost, with a couple of flexible options:


------------------------------Altidore

-------------------------Dempsey
---------Feilhaber ------------------------- Donovan


---------------------Bradley
-------------------------------Edu

--Boca--------------------------------------------Dolo
------------------Gooch------------DeMerit

--------------------------Howard

Options are to swap Dempsey and Donovan on the wing and the central free attacking role; bring in Holden on the right, instead of Feilhaber on the left; and (attacking desperation) yank Gooch for Gomez; to play completely defensive, pull Altidore for Clark, or maybe Feilhaber for Beasley (not sure how well Benny defends)

 

[NHRevs]

I used to count myself among those that didn't rate Dempsey. Not only not for the nats, but even back when he palyed for the NE Revolution. I felt he was better at carrying the ball laterally than he was at penetrating a defense, and that people got caught up in his daring and skill when really he was apt to lose the ball in a dangerous position with the way he was dribbling the ball.

But he has changed a bit. When he does carry the ball laterally he is apt to earn a foul - the guy earns so many dangerous free kicks for us, and the way we depend on them you can't discount his value in that regard -- and he is better at getting forward with the ball on his foot as well.

Is Dempsey essential to this team the way that Donovan or Howard are? No, but it is very close.

In a way Dempsey, Donovan, and Bradley are kind of a Rorschach test for football appreciation -- what do you see when you look at the three of them? Which ones are brilliant? Which ones are crap?

Arena caught the essence of Dempsey: "He tries [Poor language removed]." England goal. Juventes goal. Etc.