Soccer Strategy Type People.......

[War Machine Dawg]

What can those of us who are ignorant of such expect in terms of a game plan Sunday? Might help us from wanting to throw things through the TV when we're in the Stands Stall if we know to look for it ahead of time. I'm going to go ahead and assume Altidore is done for the WC, so factor that into your responses. And could you possibly relate it to a recent MSU game plan, i.e. yesterday being FL 2010. Thanks!

[DudyDawg]

Basically, expect us to be defensive again, yet better going forward. Bradley was terrible and didn't make an impact. Look for him to be able to possess the ball and create chances on the counter. The problem last night was that with no Altidore and our midfield playing poorly, when our defense made the tackle, they basically had to boot it to Ghana to reset. Expect us to be just as defensive but better with the ball when we do have it. Should be more like 55-45 in possession, close, but us mainly using the counter to score against them. We should play more attacking, but we certainly will play disciplined again on defense.


ANd just watch number seven for them if you want to see a freak athlete

[AlmostPositive]

Any Stands stall is already as much fun to watch as most soccer, whether it's Middle School or Whirled Kup.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Any Stands stall is already as much fun to watch as most soccer, whether it's Middle School or Whirled Kup.
Man, you're so awesome! Thanks for that valuable insight!

[DudyDawg]

Man, you're so awesome! Thanks for that valuable insight!

I'm almost positive that was a waste of time

[Dawg61]

Gotta understand that we are trying to advance in this tournament first and foremost. That means finishing no worse than 2nd in this pod of 4 teams (Germany, USA, Portugal, Ghana). Germany is clearly the best team of the four. We know this, they know this, everyone knows this. Good thing is that won't matter for us if we can just survive and finish 2nd because we wouldn't face Germany again unless several miracles happen. Portugal is in trouble. They lost by 4 to Germany and when teams are tied in points, which is a very real possibility between us and Portugal, then next tiebreaker is goal differential and with the USA +1 and Portugal -4 we hold a gigantic lead there if we can at least tie Portugal. So after all that USA is going to play a defensive first style of play. Being aggressive leaves your defense susceptible to the quick counterattack. We don't have to win. Of course we'd like to but Portugal HAS to win so we are rewarded the luxury of collapsing 10 men back into a defensive first style of play and pouncing with quick counter attacks. It should be a fantastic match.