USA vs. GERMANY
Date: June 26, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 6-3-0 Germany
Last Match: 2013 Friendly. USA def. Germany 4-3.
Line: Germany -180
Group G Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: USA (13th), Germany (2nd)
Managers: Jurgen Klinsmann (USA), Joachim Low (GER)
Captains: Clint Dempsey (USA), Philipp Lahm (GER)
World Cup Appearances: 10 (USA), 18 (GER)
Best Finish: USA (Third Place, 1930), Germany (3x Champions, Last in 1990)
Qualifying Records: USA (11-3-2, GF: 26, GA: 14), Germany (9-0-1, GF: 36, GA: 10)
Previous Game Results
USA
Germany
June 16th - Germany def. Portugal 4-0
June 21st - Germany tied Ghana 2-2
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Germany: Jerome Boateng (Questionable - Thigh), Sami Khedira (Questionable - Knee)
Overview
The leaders in Group G take to the field in Recife, with both needing just a point in this game to secure their place in the Round of 16. And while a draw would see both sides through, both camps have claimed they will not play for a draw. Will be curious to see if that holds true if the game is tied in the second half.
They're familiar foes on and off the field as well. USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann was one of the top German national players in their history, and managed Germany to a Third Place finish in the 2006 World Cup. His assistant in that tournament? Joachim Low, the current German manager.
There are several players on the U.S. national team that chose the U.S. over Germany with which they have dual citizenship (Jones, Johnson, Green, etc.). And Klinsmann has been modelling this U.S. squad after the German national team since he took over the reins in 2011. The familiarity between the two is vast, although the talent level for the U.S. still lags well behind Germany.
Germany is likely to keep their false nine formation that they've played in their first 2 games with Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller all rotating in to a striking role. Big questions in terms of personnel for Germany are surrounding Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose. Will Schweinsteiger get his first start in place of Sami Khedira in the midfield, and will Germany opt to start Klose and get a true striker on the field? Klose is currently tied for the all-time World Cup goals lead with Ronaldo (15).
The U.S. went with a 4-2-3-1 formation last match with Clint Dempsey as a lone striker. This is a tactical change brought on by the loss of Jozy Altidore. Gives them more width to their attack and allows them to employ 2 holding midfielders but there are questions about whether or not the U.S. have enough teeth in attack to cause Germany serious problems.
Personnel
In the U.S. Third: Toughest test yet for the U.S. and that includes the Ghanaian onslaught the withstood. Germany have too many players capable of making plays and can attack from all angles. Jones and Beckerman provide quality support from the midfield but this game will be an ongoing struggle for the U.S. to limit German scoring chances. Advantage: Germany.
In the Midfield: We'll see first-hand just how well Jurgen Klinsmann has been able to institute the German style of play in to this U.S. squad. Germany are a model in the world of how to use passing and technical skill to completely break down an opposing defence. The U.S. aren't there yet and should be on a defensive footing much of this game. I think the U.S. is reasonably responsible defensively and will be able to contain Germany to a point, but they will be broken down in periods and Germany will expect to control the tempo and ball in this game. Advantage: Germany.
In the German Third: Germany have struggled on the wings this tournament, playing natural centre backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes outside. That is a concern for Low, but of the three teams in this group, the U.S. are the least capable of exploiting those holes. Bedoya and Zusi should be out on the wings, and while Bedoya in particular brings speed to the equation, they are not in the same class as the German defenders. Most concerning is the lack of Altidore which means the U.S. don't have a true target man for them to deliver to. Advantage: Germany.
Goalkeeping: I've never been completely sold on Neuer as being the top goalkeeper in the world. He's been strong this tournament but Tim Howard on his game is just as capable. Howard should certainly be busier in this contest. Advantage: Even.
They're familiar foes on and off the field as well. USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann was one of the top German national players in their history, and managed Germany to a Third Place finish in the 2006 World Cup. His assistant in that tournament? Joachim Low, the current German manager.
There are several players on the U.S. national team that chose the U.S. over Germany with which they have dual citizenship (Jones, Johnson, Green, etc.). And Klinsmann has been modelling this U.S. squad after the German national team since he took over the reins in 2011. The familiarity between the two is vast, although the talent level for the U.S. still lags well behind Germany.
Germany is likely to keep their false nine formation that they've played in their first 2 games with Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller all rotating in to a striking role. Big questions in terms of personnel for Germany are surrounding Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose. Will Schweinsteiger get his first start in place of Sami Khedira in the midfield, and will Germany opt to start Klose and get a true striker on the field? Klose is currently tied for the all-time World Cup goals lead with Ronaldo (15).
The U.S. went with a 4-2-3-1 formation last match with Clint Dempsey as a lone striker. This is a tactical change brought on by the loss of Jozy Altidore. Gives them more width to their attack and allows them to employ 2 holding midfielders but there are questions about whether or not the U.S. have enough teeth in attack to cause Germany serious problems.
Personnel
In the U.S. Third: Toughest test yet for the U.S. and that includes the Ghanaian onslaught the withstood. Germany have too many players capable of making plays and can attack from all angles. Jones and Beckerman provide quality support from the midfield but this game will be an ongoing struggle for the U.S. to limit German scoring chances. Advantage: Germany.
In the Midfield: We'll see first-hand just how well Jurgen Klinsmann has been able to institute the German style of play in to this U.S. squad. Germany are a model in the world of how to use passing and technical skill to completely break down an opposing defence. The U.S. aren't there yet and should be on a defensive footing much of this game. I think the U.S. is reasonably responsible defensively and will be able to contain Germany to a point, but they will be broken down in periods and Germany will expect to control the tempo and ball in this game. Advantage: Germany.
In the German Third: Germany have struggled on the wings this tournament, playing natural centre backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes outside. That is a concern for Low, but of the three teams in this group, the U.S. are the least capable of exploiting those holes. Bedoya and Zusi should be out on the wings, and while Bedoya in particular brings speed to the equation, they are not in the same class as the German defenders. Most concerning is the lack of Altidore which means the U.S. don't have a true target man for them to deliver to. Advantage: Germany.
Goalkeeping: I've never been completely sold on Neuer as being the top goalkeeper in the world. He's been strong this tournament but Tim Howard on his game is just as capable. Howard should certainly be busier in this contest. Advantage: Even.
USA will win if:
Use however many players it takes to keep a shell around their penalty area so German shots come from distance. If they can prevent Muller and Gotze from getting space inside their ranks, they have the best shot at limiting German offensive chances on goal. Offensively, have to get better play from Michael Bradley in the centre of the field. Hugely disappointing this tournament, Bradley is the best playmaker for the U.S. Will have limited time and opportunities in this game so his decision-making and delivery needs to be perfect to give the U.S. chances at goal.
Germany will win if:
Same as always, control the midfield play, keep the U.S. pinned in their half and probe away at the penalty area until they find a way through. Defensively, they can pinch inside a bit more and push their full backs higher up as they won't likely fear the U.S. attacking wingers. Have to make sure Bradley and Dempsey are marked in the centre when the U.S. do attack. Those are the players that will take advantage of a lack of pace in the German defensive line.
Both teams tempted to ease off in a game where they only need a draw but don't necessarily see that happening. German pressure and ball movement on a different level then that of the U.S. and they're rewarded for it.
Germany 3-1 USA
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