This is the most interesting game of the tournament as far as what is at stake. The USA need a win by at least 3 goals if the Czech and Italians were to tie. If Italy were to beat the Czech, all the USA would need is a win. Here is my "best-bet" line-up:
GK - Keller
D - Bocanegra, Gooch (yc), Cherundolo
MF - Beasley, Reyna (yc), Dempsey, O'Brien, Donovan
F - McBride, E. Johnson
Notes:
- 3 in the back will force play outside; Dempsey (RWM) and Beasley (LWM) are fast enough to play both ways
- Midfield control will be the most crucial factor to a multi-goal win. We will not counter-attack well with the speed of the Ghana side. Also, if we don't control the midfield, Michael Essien will.
- I think McBride and Johnson are the best bet up front. McBride receives the ball well. Johnson's size, quickness, and skill will serve us well.
- A big question is who will play Def. MF. With no Mastroeni, we resort to either Dempsey or O'Brien in a 3-5-2 formation.
SUBS:
- Convey should come in for whichever wing Midfielder proves ineffective.
- Wolff could see some action if one of the forwards gets injured or gets tired.
SUGGESTION:
- With no natural Def. Midfielder, I think it would be a great idea to start Oguchi at Stopper with 3 Defenders behind him. He would act as the Def. Mid. Last week, he showed potential for distributing the ball.
- With him there, we would play a 3-1-4-2 (back to front)
Prediction:
USA 3, Ghana 1
- I don't think we can put up a 4-0 romp against a very determined, yet hindered Ghana side. (They are missing both game 2 scorers)
- We should come out the victors, but will need an Italian victory to secure the advancement.
GK - Keller
D - Bocanegra, Gooch (yc), Cherundolo
MF - Beasley, Reyna (yc), Dempsey, O'Brien, Donovan
F - McBride, E. Johnson
Notes:
- 3 in the back will force play outside; Dempsey (RWM) and Beasley (LWM) are fast enough to play both ways
- Midfield control will be the most crucial factor to a multi-goal win. We will not counter-attack well with the speed of the Ghana side. Also, if we don't control the midfield, Michael Essien will.
- I think McBride and Johnson are the best bet up front. McBride receives the ball well. Johnson's size, quickness, and skill will serve us well.
- A big question is who will play Def. MF. With no Mastroeni, we resort to either Dempsey or O'Brien in a 3-5-2 formation.
SUBS:
- Convey should come in for whichever wing Midfielder proves ineffective.
- Wolff could see some action if one of the forwards gets injured or gets tired.
SUGGESTION:
- With no natural Def. Midfielder, I think it would be a great idea to start Oguchi at Stopper with 3 Defenders behind him. He would act as the Def. Mid. Last week, he showed potential for distributing the ball.
- With him there, we would play a 3-1-4-2 (back to front)
Prediction:
USA 3, Ghana 1
- I don't think we can put up a 4-0 romp against a very determined, yet hindered Ghana side. (They are missing both game 2 scorers)
- We should come out the victors, but will need an Italian victory to secure the advancement.