US World Cup Preview

Tomorrow (or later today...) the US Men's National team opens up play in the 2010 world cup against England. Here is everything you need to know about the United States soccer team.

My Projected Starting Lineup

GK- Tim Howard
LB- Carlos Bocanegra
LCB- Jay Demerit
RCB- Oguchi Onyewu
RB- Steve Cherundolo
LM- Landon Donovan
LCM- Benny Feilhaber
RCM- Michael Bradley
RM- Clint Dempsey
LS- Robbie Findley
RS- Jozy Altidore

Potential Subs
LS- Edson Buddle
LCM- Jose Torres
RCB- Clarence Goodson
LM- DeMarcus Beasley
LS- Hercules Gomez
RB- Jonathan Spector

Strengths-

1) Goalkeeper- Tim Howard is unanimously considered to be one of the best goal keepers in the world. If he is at the top of his game, there isn't a team that the United States can't beat. Last summer the US beat Spain (largely considered the best team in the world) 2-0 and Tim Howard had the best game of his career.

2) Wings- Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are probably the two best players on this team. They score a lot of goals and have had a lot of recent success in the English Premier League. These two have to have a huge tournament for the US to be successful.


Weaknesses-

1) Experience at forward- Jozy Altidore, 20, is by far our most experienced forward. That is bad news. The good news is the group of forwards is a talented bunch that have all been scoring a lot of goals lately.

2) Lack of pace and possession- The biggest weakness of the United States team has always been their ability to hold on the ball and stretch out possessions. In order to be successful, they have to have better pace and be able to move the ball around and control the tempo of the game.

3) Injury questions- Oguchi Onyewu, the best defender on this team, has not played a full match since suffering a knee injury in October. He will need to prove that he is at the top of his game, because without him, the US backline looks significant worse. Forward Jozy Altidore has also been struggling with an ankle injury, but appears ready to play.

What to look for against England on Saturday:

1) Can the US attack early. They have to get on the board first. If England scores early in the match, it will be incredible difficult for the US to come back and get points. The key is get the ball to Landon Donovan early and often and allow him the opportunity to create chances.

2) How fit is Oguchi Onyewu. If he struggles against England, it will be a long day Saturday.

3) Can the US match the speed of the english. The forwards and wings for England are incredibly fast. Watch for them to try to stretch the US on the outside.

4) How well does the defense play as a unit. My projected starting defense has not played together for a full match since last summer. They need to gel quickly and play together as a unit for the United States to be successful.

Predictions-
2-2 draw vs. England
2-1 victory over Slovenia
3-1 victory over Algeria

Group prediction- USA finishes second in the group based on goal difference.

Advancement prediction- US loses to Argentina in the quarterfinals

Best case scenario- US win the group and face a weakened Germany team. They advance to play France, who shouldn't have even qualified (see Ireland vs France handball), who they can beat, but then they would likely meet Brazil, and would exit in the semifinals.