<strong><br></strong><img style="border: 2px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Slovenia_flags.gif" alt="" width="150" height="100"> |
<strong><br></strong> |
<img style="border: 2px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/United-States_flags.gif" alt="" width="150" height="100"> |
<em>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.</em><img src="file:///C:/Users/nfirchau/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt=""> |
<strong>GOALKEEPING</strong><p><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/United-States_flags.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"></strong><strong><br></strong></p> |
<em>Tim Howard
is ready to shake off rib pain to put in another hero showing. He'll
need to be on his toes if Milivoje Novakovič is allowed to tee up from
distance straightaway.</em> |
<em>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.</em> |
<strong>DEFENDERS</strong><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/United-States_flags.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"></strong> |
<em>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.</em> |
<em>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.</em> |
<strong>MIDFIELDERS</strong><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/United-States_flags.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"></strong> |
<em>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.</em> |
<em>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.</em> |
<strong>FORWARDS</strong><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Slovenia_flags_0.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"><br></strong> |
<em>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. <br></em> |
<p><em>The boss is somewhat secretive, has basically installed one
general system to run with and prepares obsessively. Unlike Bradley,
Matjaž </em><em>Kek has had to overcome
significantly greater odds to even qualify for the competition.</em></p> |
<strong>MANAGER</strong><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Slovenia_flags_0.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"></strong> |
<em>A 1-1 tie against England is a good start for first-time World Cup
manager Bob Bradley. Then the Swiss head coach credits Bradley’s tactics
in 2009 against Spain in playing a part in the biggest upset of the
2010 World Cup.</em> |
<em>While their back-up forwards are dangerous and more experienced than
their American counterparts, the other names are not as impressive and
possess less international experience compared to the US squad.</em> |
<strong>BENCH</strong><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/United-States_flags.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"></strong> |
<em>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.</em> |
<em>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.</em> |
<strong>OVERALL</strong><strong><img style="border: 1px solid black;" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/United-States_flags.gif" alt="" width="40" height="35"></strong> |
<em>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.</em> |
