World Cup - Group C

As I said before, USA must aim at the 1st spot and win their 2 remaining matches. I do not fancy USA's chances against the firing squads of Argentina and Germany if they finish 2nd. Slovenia do not mind getting a draw in its 2nd game and they will play it safe first.

USA used a 4-2-2-2 against England and it was effective in stopping Gerrard and Lampard. Based on past performances, Ricardo Clark does not deserve to be a starter. I would use a more attacking 4-4-2 against Slovenia. The backline would be the same as the 1st match. Dempsey is more effective as a 2nd striker than a midfielder. He should thus be paired with Altidore up front. A midfield of Donovan-Bradley-Edu-Torres is quite attack-minded with only a void at the left wing area. If necessary during the game, that void can be filled by moving Donovan to the left while bringing on Buddle or Findley. When Slovenia have the ball, I would rotate Bradley and Edu on marking Koren and use Donovan and Torres to cut off the supplies to him.

I will be extremely disappointed if manager Bradley starts the same team as Game 1. That will mean he is playing conservative and gives too much credit to the Slovenians. Koren is good but he is no Gerrard or Lampard.

England should beat Algeria handily. I just hope that they don't score too many goals so as not to rank above us on goal difference eventually. Playing both Gerrard and Lampard in the middle should be an exercise that's over and done with for England. They are both good but pairing them together limits both of them and England get the net result of one good player instead of two.