Live The Pitch

With their World Cup fates on the line, Bob Bradley will lead the U.S. as they take on underdogs Algeria.  After coming off a heartbreaking tie with Slovenia, Bradley’s team controls their own fate.  Bradley has some key decisions to make with his roster as we are now less than 24 hours away from kickoff.  After watching Algeria draw 1-1 with heavily favored England, there are some concerns that have to be addressed.

Algeria play a very structured, defensive style of soccer that at times looks like a steel wall to opposing players.  Algeria is also very technical on the ball while in possession, rarely making a bad touch in the midfield.  The U.S. will have to counter this style by taking chances going forward with numbers on the counter attack and making sure they capitalize on their opportunities in front of goal.

Bradley needs to make sure that his outside backs are getting forward as much as possible.  Steve Cherundelo and Carlos Bocanegra both need to get involved more on the attack as the U.S. has been successful on balls served into the box.

In the central defense, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay Demerit need to make sure they are on the same page with pushing forward so they are not creating too much space in behind the midfield.  There is no room for dumb defensive mistakes like we have seen in previous matches with so much on the line.  Tim Howard in the goal will also have to be at his best to give the Americans a chance.

Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have been good overall throughout the first two matches but both still need to get the ball at their feet more.  Dempsey has much more to contribute to his team and hopefully he will have a breakout game.  Donovan has been the best player for Bradley so far and and his leadership on the pitch as been tremendous.

Michael Bradley has been superb in the central midfield for his father but the question will be if Bradley starts Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, or Jose Torres.  Clark started the first match and played pretty well, Edu had a huge impact in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia as a substitute, and Torres got the start last match.  Torres has more technical ability than Edu and Clark but lacks the size and pace they possess.

Jozy Altidore missed some training today due to an upset stomach but he should be alright to start up top for the match.  Robbie Findlay has been starting along with Jozy but has been a non factor and will miss the match with two yellow cards in prior games.  Look for Bradley to start Edson Buddle tomorrow.  Buddle would be my choice, but Bradley could also move Dempsey up top or start Hurculez Gomez.

There is no excuse if the U.S. doesn’t advance to the round of 16.  They know what has to be done and what is on the line.

GO USA!