Slovenia-USA positional breakdown
Slovenia's Matjaž Kek (left) and US boss Bob Bradley will match wits on Friday.
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Udinese's Samir Handanovič is a hot transfer topic in Europe. In the Algeria win, we saw just a glimpse of why that is so. He can make some highlight reels saves.
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GOALKEEPING
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Tim Howard |
| Center backs Boštjan Cesar and Marko Šuler are unspectacular, but solid. Wingbacks Mišo Brečko and Bojan Jokić, however, can be greatly troubled by clever wing play. It helps them that Cesar and Jokić play together at Chievo. |
DEFENDERS
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The fullbacks don’t nearly contribute in attack as much as the team needs them. Jay DeMerit is not a world beater and Oguchi Onyewu is visibly hampered despite his fitness claims. Lots of weaknesses. |
| Slovenia also could alter the midfield approach, but Valter Birsa and Robert Koren will be expected to create their offense. Holding player Aleksander Radosavljevič displayed what a good distributor he is against Algeria. |
MIDFIELDERS
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Despite 86 minutes of excellence against England, there may be a change or two here. If Bob Bradley slides Clint Dempsey to "small forward" from the wing, it might be a good idea to involve the crossing of Stuart Holden. |
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Novakovič is the front man, and a tricky one at that. Zlatko Dedič is the gnat that won't stop buzzing, buzzing, buzzing - and he likely starts. It isn't the best tandem in the finals, but they are certainly far above the worst. |
FORWARDS
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Folks in Slovenia are a bit scared of powerful runner Jozy Altidore. He could also do aerial damage as the opponent's do not have his ladder. It is unclear which of the other three strikers, if any, will get a starting nod. |
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The boss is somewhat secretive, has basically installed one |
MANAGER
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A 1-1 tie against England is a good start for first-time World Cup |
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While their back-up forwards are dangerous and more experienced than |
BENCH
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With any possible line-up, Bradley will have style options off the bench at forward and in midfield. Despite an off showing in his last appearance, Jonathan Spector could prove key because he can play all three spots. |
| Make no mistake, this is the biggest game in Slovenia's soccer history by far. They will be drilled with instruction and fired up. They absolutely do not want to fall behind, but their impressive cohesion sends a message that the U.S. don't either. |
OVERALL
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The US have everything set up how they want and are rightful favorites to beat Slovenia. But that alone gets them nothing. They need to avoid mistakes and create chances against an organized team defense to do the business. |
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