Jul 01 2014

World Cup 2014: USA v Belgium

Most sports analysts are still scratching their heads that USA made it out of the elimination rounds of the 2014 World Cup. The team is almost the worst offensively and to get past Belgium today, they need to be more aggressive.

The pregame drama revolved around the health of two star players, with Belgium’s Vincent Kompany questionable with an injury and Jozy Altidore possibly making a return from his hamstring injury for the United States. The Americans could use some help with their attack, which generated precious few chances in their final group game against Germany. Belgium has fallen into the habit of scoring late, and only when it really needs to, often after substitutes come in to add energy. It will need to break out of that pattern as the competition improves if it hopes to advance.

Here are the results so far in the knockout rounds of sixteen:

After tying with Chile 1 – 1 and two mandatory overtime rounds, Brazil beat them 5 – 2 in penalty kicks.

Columbia 2 – Uruguay 0

Netherlands 2 – Mexico 1

Costa Rica beat Greece 5 – 3 in penalty kick after regulation and overtime play.

France 2 – Nigeria 0

Germany 2 – Algeria 1

Argentina 1 – Switzerland 0

The Quarter Finals start Friday July 4:

Noon EDT France vs Germany

4 PM EDT Brazil v Columbia

Saturday July 5

Noon EDT Agentina v The winner of USA – Belgium

4 PM EDT Netherlands v Costa Rica

arlethamaselli0

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  2. For Jürgen Klinsmann’s Team USA, two big changes: Geoff Cameron is back, but at midfield rather than defense, and Alejandro Bedoya is also in at midfield. Out are Kyle Beckerman and Brad Davis – and Jozy Altidore is not starting. It all adds up to an attack-minded 4-3-3.

    Asterisks denote players carrying yellow cards; incurring a second yellow today puts a player out of the quarterfinal match:

    GK: 1 Tim HOWARD (Everton, ENG);

    DF: 23 Fabian JOHNSON (Borussia Mönchengladbach, GER), 3 Omar GONZALEZ * (LA Galaxy), 5 Matt BESLER (Sporting Kansas City), 7 DaMarcus BEASLEY (Puebla, MEX);

    MF: 4 Michael BRADLEY (Toronto FC), 20 Geoff CAMERON* (Stoke City, ENG), 13 Jermaine JONES * (Besiktas, TUR);

    FW: 19 Graham ZUSI (Sporting Kansas City), 8 Clint DEMPSEY (Seattle Sounders) , 11 Alejandro BEDOYA (Nantes, FRA).

  6. Belgium in red, their nickname is “The Red Devils.” Their goal keep wearing light blue.

    USA in white and the keep in dark blue.

  7. relentless winter.

  8. USA has maintained tight possession of the ball 60% to 40%.

  10. 2 yellow cards and the player is out of the game and the team pays on down a man

  12. after Vertonghen knocks the ball over the by line

  19. playing more aggressive.

  32. The U.S. emerged from the formidable Group G as the runner-up while Belgium advanced into the knockout round as the top team in Group H. Belgium, the second-youngest team at the World Cup, fields a lineup stocked with skillful players starring at clubs across Europe. Undefeated in Group H, Belgium’s inexperience and talent were both on full display in wins over Algeria, Russia and South Korea. In all three of its group-stage matches, Belgium initially struggled to break down its opponents but secured wins with late goals. All four of Belgium’s group-stage goals came in the 70th minute or later.

    In a knockout round game that could stretch into extra time, Belgium’s penchant for late heroics could certainly come into play yet again.

  33. Reader Jeff Forster observes: “Every time the McDonald’s ads appear on the field-level ad boards, it looks like Belgium is the McDonald’s company team.” Good thing Fellaini’s Afro isn’t dyed orange.

  37. Belgium: 16 (10) – USA: 3 (1)  

  38. have finger panels like the graphic?

  42. Did I miss any Pele style bicycle kicks?

  48. Ole’ Ole’

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