Group C - Algeria/England/Slovenia/USA

[jdeezy]

I'm not having good feelings about the US's squad's chances advancing this year. Too many players are coming off injuries (Gooch, McDermit, Holden) aren't playing due to injuries (Davies) and/or having terrible seasons (Spector, to a lesser extent Altidore).

Without Davies, Donovan may get smothered in the midfield and/or targeted for destruction (see Italy-US confed cup). Dempsey doesn't have the speed to pull one of the CBs off Altidore either. If we get W's I think it will be up to the defense/Timmy and our ability to convert free kicks and corners. If there is one advantage we have over most teams in the WC is that trying to defend Gooch, Dempsey, Bocanegra, Altidore, and Bradley is a tall order for any team.

My team is

Spector----Gooch----DeMerit-----Bocanegra

Holden-----Edu/Clark-----Bradley----Donovan

Dempsey
Altidore

Feinhaber could get the nod over Holden due to good recent national team performaces. Edu/Clark is a tossup though I think Clark is a tad better.

That's what I've got at moment as well. Would love to see a striker emerge allowing deuce to slide back to mid. But at present I'd go with this lineup, probably lean towards Edu just wish he'd have gotten more time w/ Bradley throughout qualifying.

 

[Nordecke]

Spector was great in the Confederations Cup. He provided two crucial assists to Dempsey to allow us to advance to the knockout stages. I would probably choose him over Dolo, even though Spector didn't have a very good season for West Ham.

His season was'nt bad until they moved him to the left..

 

[Nordecke]

30 Man Roster will be announced on ESPN News at 2pm EST..

 

[Nordecke]

BB's Picks OFFICIAL:

GK: Howard, Hanhmann, Guzan

DF: Onyewu, Bocanegra, Bornstein, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Goodson, Marshall, Pearce, Spector

MF: Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Holden, Clark, Edu, Feilhaber, Torres, Bedoya, Beasley, Kljestan, Rogers

FWD: Altidore, Buddle, Ching, Findley,Herculez Gomez, Eddie Johnson

Not happy with Davies being left out.. he brings more than Findley for sure!!! Sad day..

 

[Topblue]

this is not going to go down well but i think the U.S. will top the group.

 

[Huey]

If I recall correctly... second place in this group plays the winner of the Brazil group...

You don't recall correctly. Group C is paired with Group D for the R16 knockouts.

So if the USA or England make it out of Group C they'll be playing Germany, Australia, Serbia, or Ghana

 

[pfim]

Too bad for Davies, but he's been a long shot for a while, despite all the positive publicity. He's just not ready.

 

[spikeman]

I can't decide whether or not I should wake up at 7:00 am to watch Algeria-Slovenia tomorrow

 

[Nordecke]

I can't decide whether or not I should wake up at 7:00 am to watch Algeria-Slovenia tomorrow

Record and analyze after sleeping in.. thats what im doing.

 

[spikeman]

Record and analyze after sleeping in.. thats what im doing.

Probably smart. On one hand, we will get to see USA's next opponents. On the other hand, it will likely be a massively [Poor language removed] game.

 

[Nordecke]

Probably smart. On one hand, we will get to see USA's next opponents. On the other hand, it will likely be a massively [Poor language removed] game.

I'm worried about Slovenia.. you know they beat Russia to be here..

 

[spikeman]

I'm worried about Slovenia.. you know they beat Russia to be here..

Good point.

And the game is 7:30, not 7:00. I made a mistake

 

[Nordecke]

Good point.

And the game is 7:30, not 7:00. I made a mistake

Which means it wont start til 8:30

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

massively [Poor language removed] game so far. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz