Next Day's Games

Final

Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Game 32 Preview: USA vs. Portugal

USA vs. PORTUGAL


 Date: June 22, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Amazonia, Manaus
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 2-2-1
Last Match: 2002 World Cup (Group Stage). USA def. Portugal 3-2.
Line: Portugal -140
Group G Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: USA (13th), Portugal (4th)
Managers: Jurgen Klinsmann (USA), Paulo Bento (POR)
Captains: Clint Dempsey (USA), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)
World Cup Appearances: 10 (USA), 6 (POR)
Best Finish: USA (Third Place, 1930), Portugal (Third Place, 1966)
Qualifying Records: USA (11-3-2, GF: 26, GA: 14), Portugal (8-1-3, GF: 24, GA: 11)

Previous Game Results

USA

Portugal

June 16th - Germany def. Portugal 4-0

Rosters
































Injuries/Discipline

USA: Jozy Altidore (Out - Hamstring)
Portugal: Hugo Almeida (Doubtful - Leg), Fabio Coentrao (Out - Thigh), Rui Patricio (Doubtful - Thigh), Joao Pereira (Yellow Card), Pepe (Suspended - Red Card), Cristiano Ronaldo (Probable - Knee)

Overview

The Group of Death could go a long way towards determining how it will finish today with a U.S. victory. Or Portugal can rebound from their opening blowout and throw the group in to a complete state of chaos.

It's highly unlikely both teams will get out of this group and while the U.S. can get by with a draw, it's a must-win game for Portugal if they want to avoid being the latest top-10 team to fall in the group stage this tournament.

Both teams will have to get through this game with key absences. The U.S. are without striker Jozy Altidore who injured his hamstring against Ghana in their opener and may miss the rest of the group stage at least. That pales in comparison to the injury woes Portugal face. Fabio Coentrao is out at left back and striker Hugo Almeida and Goalkeeper Rui Patricio are expected to miss out as well. Cristiano Ronaldo should play but is having all kinds of fitness issues and to top it all off, centre back Pepe is suspended.

Minus Altidore, the U.S. should send out their same lineup against Portugal that they did against Ghana. Big concerns will be defending the wings defensively and shutting down Cristiano Ronaldo when he is in possession. Also need to find a way to get the offence going without Altidore up top to stretch the field.

Portugal still have a number of attacking options but will take on this U.S. team without 3 of their 5 starters on defence. Portugal will have to be at their best on the back end to deal with the dangerous U.S. counter-attack.

Personnel

In the U.S. Third: Like many aspects of this game, tough to predict as Portugal's form cannot be known prior to the start of the match. Ronaldo is absolutely not healthy but can still impact the game with the ball on his foot. Portugal are also without Hugo Almeida but have players like Postiga and Eder to step up. Nani is also poised to take advantage of DaMarcus Beasley on the wing. USA held upwell against Ghana, Portugal are more dynamic offensively, IF they are on. Advantage: Portugal but injuries really hurting them.

In the Midfield: Portugal have some bruisers in the midfield defensively that will be looking to prevent the US from getting the ball to Michael Bradley and their strikers. Neither team is necessarily fantastic at moving the ball in the midfield. Portugal susceptible to mental lapses and don't have forward support in the midfield. More talented though then the Americans and likely to win time of possession and be able to keep the ball in the American half. Advantage: Portugal, slightly.

In the Portuguese Third: Portugal without 2 starters and their goalkeeper. Bruno Alves is also rumored to be less than fit. It's a Portuguese back line that is a mess. However the U.S. are not necessarily in a great position to take advantage. Jozy Altidore is out of this game and Michael Bradley is coming off one of his worst showings in recent memory. Still the U.S. front 3 which should feature Aron Johannsson can get chances against this group. Look for them to exploit the right flank to take advantage of Coentrao's absence and Ronaldo's lack of defending. Advantage: USA, slightly.

Goalkeeping: Eduardo is expected to play for Portugal and should adequately fill in for Rui Patricio. Will be a slight step down though from Tim Howard in the opposing goal. Advantage: USA

USA will win if:

Protect their flanks defensively and work the right side of the field against Portugal. Portugal are most dangerous with Ronaldo and Nani on the wings. Ronaldo is not fit and less dangerous offensively but still must be focused on. DaMarcus Beasley had all kinds of problems against Christian Atsu last game and Portugal will look for Nani to have the same success against the U.S. Shut down Nani and the U.S. will limit the offensive damage Portugal can cause. Standard formula offensively against Portugal is work the right wing since Ronaldo doesn't defend. This will be especially true today as Fabio Coentrao is missing from the defensive line.

Portugal will win if:

They aren't mentally defeated and can get sustained pressure on the U.S. penalty area. Portugal were embarrassed by Germany, both on the scoreboard and in terms of effort. Not known as a mentally strong team, Portugal have to get over that result and their injury woes to be successful in this game. Ghana were one-dimensional in their attack against the U.S. which helped the Americans defend so well. Portugal can stretch the field wide or attack up the middle and need to put heavy pressure on the American back line to try and open up holes to shot through.

Prediction

Losing Altidore hurts their offence but the U.S. can work the makeshift Portuguese defensive line for at least 1 goal. Keeping them away from their own penalty area a tough ask though, even with all of Portugal's problems up front.

USA 1-1 Portugal

No comments:

Post a Comment