Andrej Komac has written the proverbial check, now let's see if he and his team can cash it. Komac said in an interview that Slovenia is going to win this match. He cited the fact that they are confident and playing their brand of soccer right now. Interesting words from a player who's team did not look very impressive in their over Algeria.
When told about the comment Tim Howard thought about Komac's prediction of victory for Slovenia and chuckled. "I think talk is cheap," the American goalkeeper said Wednesday. "He's got to stand toe to toe. And they've got to stand toe to toe with us for 90 minutes. And if he's still standing, then I'll take my hat off to him. But a lot of boxers talk, too, and they're looking up at the lights. And the next thing they know, they're trying to figure out how they got there." Sounds like a guy who has taken a kick to the arm/ribs and gotten up.
This match up just got more intriguing. Now with that being said I expect both teams to come out and play professional soccer but both will play to win. There is a lot on the line in the match for both teams. A win puts Slovenia through to the knockout stage. A win with a good differential for the Americans and they take control of Group C. I think this will make for an exciting match.
Three Questions for the USMNT:
1. What personnel do we see? Okay Bradley scratched out the result against the group giant England. Will he now play some more offensive minded players such as Jose Torres, Stuart Holden, or Edson Buddle to push the attack?
2. Will the USMNT push the pace early? I think to win this match they have to set a high tempo early. If they come out and skip the feeling out process and establish possession I think an early goal can come and open the match. If the match opens up players like Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Jozy Altidore will be able to run in open spaces and generate quality chances.
3. Does the defensive backline play like they did against England? If the back line plays the same as they did against the Brits that will take pressure off of the midfield and allow them to go forward. Slovenia is no push over but the U.S. backline should be able to take matters into their own hands. If they do and the U.S. can put 6-7 players in the attack on a consistent basis I think good things will happen.
My Projected Line Up:
------------------------------Howard----------------------------------
Cherundolo----Demerit--------Onyewu-----------Bocaengra
Donovan------Bradley------------Clark---------------Dempsey
-----------------------Findley-----Altidore---------------------------
Rationale: As much as I would like him to go with a more attack minded group, I think he sticks with what worked against the British. The game may dictate some earlier subs such as Buddle, Herculez Gomez, DeMarcus Beasley, Holden, or Torres but I think we start by seeing the same group with Bradley playing more in the attack.
Prediction: 2-0 U.S. and they take the first step toward possibly winning the group.
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