The US will face group C leaders Slovenia in their second game in the group stage. The US is tied with England for second in the group with 1 point apiece through their 1-1 draw and Slovenia leads the group through a 1-0 victory over Algeria.
Lineups:
USA:
Goalkeeper: Tim Howard; Defense (left to right: Bocanegra, Onyewu, DeMerit, Cherundolo; Midfield (left to right: Dempsey, Torres, Bradley, Donovan; Forwards: Altidore, Findley
Slovenia
Goalkeeper: Handanovic; Defense: Jokic, Cesar, Suler, Brecko; Midfield: Kirm, Radosavljevic, Koren, Birsa; Forwards: Novakovic, Ljubijankic
Key player for USA: Michael Bradley. He needs to be the man on the ball in the middle. When he's at his best he's a great holding midfield and a great passer who creates chances and also gets back on defense.
Key player for Slovenia: Robert Koren. He's their captain and best player and the goalscorer in last week's win over Algeria. Koren, who plays in England with West Brom, needs to be on his game for Slovenia to have a chance of beat the US.
Key matchup: Robert Koren v USA defense. Koren is Slovenia's biggest threat. The US shut down Wayne Rooney in their last game. If they can do the same for Koren the US will have an easier time getting three points out of this game.
Prediction: The US will step up on defense and keep a clean sheet. In the end the US attack of Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore will prove too much for Slovenia and they'll win 2-0.
For the US, it is the same lineup that faced England except for a change in midfield where Jose Torres replaces Ricardo Clark. It was Clark's mistake on marking Steven Gerrard that allowed England's first goal last week.
I still wonder why Robbie Findley is starting over Edson Buddle. Buddle had shown good form but is being relegated to a sub role. Findley's speed however should tire the Slovenian defense allowing for a goal for the US in the second half.
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