During last year’s Confederations Cup, Team USA knocked out number-one Spain, proving that the Yanks are a team to be taken seriously.
Country: United States
Team: The Yanks
Colors: Blue, white and red
Formation: 4-4-2
The United States is known for producing an overpowering, super athletic national team. Though making it out of the group stage won’t be easy for Team USA, they’ve prepared by gaining experience on international soil, which had been lacking in years past. Speed and defense will be key, along with keeping players healthy and out of the training room.
Key Players: Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey
Landon Donovan is the headliner and all-time leading goal scorer and assist leader for the U.S. However, the team’s success will rely on the number of shots Tim Howard can save. He was magical against Spain last summer, when he posted a clean sheet and was awarded the Golden Glove for best keeper in the Confederations Cup. If Howard can keep the ball out of the net, his team will have a shot to win every game they play.
Two reasons why Donovan ranks high in assists are named Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. Both were critical players last summer; and they have experience playing in the English Premier League, the most physical football league in the world. If Dempsey can stay healthy and Altidore can keep his head from butting others, this duo can be lethal inside the box when receiving crosses from Donovan.
Key Matchup: USA vs. Algeria
If things don’t go according to plan when the U.S. opens up with England, a victory over Algeria will be critical. Last year the U.S. lost both matches in the Confederations Cup, but advanced with a win against Egypt in the last group game. Not a meaningless game at all.
Prediction:
Can the U.S. pull off another miracle and stun the world? Maybe. Anything can happen on a soccer pitch, but I don’t think we’re going to need Al Michaels any time soon. Expect the Yanks to finally advance out of the group and maybe even the first knockout round.
Related link: World Cup 2010 Countdown
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During last year’s Confederations Cup, Team USA knocked out number-one Spain, proving that the Yanks are a team to be taken seriously.
Country: United States
Team: The Yanks
Colors: Blue, white and red
Formation: 4-4-2
The United States is known for producing an overpowering, super athletic national team. Though making it out of the group stage won’t be easy for Team USA, they’ve prepared by gaining experience on international soil, which had been lacking in years past. Speed and defense will be key, along with keeping players healthy and out of the training room.
Key Players: Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey
Landon Donovan is the headliner and all-time leading goal scorer and assist leader for the U.S. However, the team’s success will rely on the number of shots Tim Howard can save. He was magical against Spain last summer, when he posted a clean sheet and was awarded the Golden Glove for best keeper in the Confederations Cup. If Howard can keep the ball out of the net, his team will have a shot to win every game they play.
Two reasons why Donovan ranks high in assists are named Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. Both were critical players last summer; and they have experience playing in the English Premier League, the most physical football league in the world. If Dempsey can stay healthy and Altidore can keep his head from butting others, this duo can be lethal inside the box when receiving crosses from Donovan.
Key Matchup: USA vs. Algeria
If things don’t go according to plan when the U.S. opens up with England, a victory over Algeria will be critical. Last year the U.S. lost both matches in the Confederations Cup, but advanced with a win against Egypt in the last group game. Not a meaningless game at all.
Prediction:
Can the U.S. pull off another miracle and stun the world? Maybe. Anything can happen on a soccer pitch, but I don’t think we’re going to need Al Michaels any time soon. Expect the Yanks to finally advance out of the group and maybe even the first knockout round.
Related link: World Cup 2010 Countdown