Next Day's Games

Final

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

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Game 56 Preview: Belgium vs. USA

BELGIUM vs. USA
Round of 16 - Game 8



 Date: July 1, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 4-1-0 Belgium.
Last Match: 2013 Friendly. Belgium def. USA 4-2.
Line: Belgium +105
Group G Preview here.
Group H Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Belgium (11th), USA (13th)
Managers: Marc Wilmots (BEL), Jurgen Klinsmann (USA)
Captains: Vincent Kompany (BEL), Clint Dempsey (USA)
World Cup Appearances: 12 (BEL), 10 (USA)
Best Finish: Belgium (Fourth Place, 1986), USA (Third Place, 1930)
Qualifying Records: Belgium (8-0-2, GF: 18, GA: 4), USA (11-3-2, GF: 26, GA: 14)

Previous Game Results

Belgium
June 26th - Belgium def. South Korea 1-0

USA

June 16th - USA def. Ghana 2-1

Rosters

















Injuries/Discipline

Belgium: Toby Alderweireld (Yellow Card), Steven Defour (Suspended - Red Card), Mousa Dembele (Yellow Card), Vincent Kompany (Doubtful - Groin), Thomas Vermaelen (Doubtful - Ha string), Jan Vertonghen (Yellow Card), Axel Witsel ((Yellow Card)
USA: Jozy Altidore (Questionable - Hamstring), Kyle Beckerman (Yellow Card), Omar Gonzalez (Yellow Card), Jermaine Jones (Yellow Card)

Overview

The other fascinating game of the day pairs two upstart teams that are looking to be a darkhorse in this World Cup and perhaps make a run for the championship game in a favourable draw.

They're also teams that have played each other in recent history, with Belgium coming out on top of a 4-2 contest last year. That was a game marred by defensive lapses and errors by the Americans. This game should be considerably closer though as the U.S. defence has been solid in group play and 2-goal scorer from that game Christian Benteke is at home injured.

Some key injury issues for both teams as they enter this contest. Belgium will likely have a makeshift defensive line on the field, as both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to miss the game with nagging injuries. This is a Belgian team that also has been playing natural centre backs on the wings and may be throwing together a complete patchwork of players at the back in this contest.

Unfortunately for the U.S., their ability to take advantage of a weak Belgian defence is hampered by their own injury issues. Jozy Altidore has played just limited minutes in their first match of the group stage before picking up a hamstring injury. Altidore has been cleared to play but match fitness has to be questioned and it would be a considerable surprise if he were to start this game.

Belgium should come out in a 4-2-3-1 formation regardless of defensive personnel issues. They key men the U.S. have to deal with are Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne in the midfield. Both are dynamic dribblers and can deliver pinpoint balls in to the penalty area. Romelu Lukaku will likely start as striker despite poor form but provides a considerable aerial threat along with Marouane Fellaini.

Jurgen Klinsmann has varied his formation this tournament out of necessity after the Altidore injury. How the U.S. lines up is dependent on whether he starts or not. Their preferred formation is a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield shape but they have gone with a 4-5-1 using Dempsey as a false nine type striker in the meantime. The 4-4-2 bolsters their offensive potential considerably but the 4-5-1 has afforded them better defensive zone coverage.

Personnel

In the Belgian Third: I'm operating under the assumption Altidore will be a substitute at best in this contest. That's bad news for the U.S. Altidore has had scoring woes all year but is an ideal target man with his size and skill. More importantly though, it frees up Dempsey to be a second forward which is he best suited for and takes the creative responsibility off of just Michael Bradley's shoulders. This is a depleted Belgian defence but the U.S. are not the type of offensive team to take full advantage of that. Belgium's injuries are more devastating but that's only evened the match out. Advantage: Even.

In the Midfield: Expected to be the strength of this Belgian team, they haven't lived up to that billing so far. Haven't been able to get consistent ball movement offensively against pressing teams up the field. The U.S. will certainly be pressing Belgium on the ball without abandoning defensive shape. The U.S. has been equally as unimpressive in the midfield but may be able to take advantage of an attacking Belgian side on the counter-attack today. Advantage: Even.

In the U.S. Third: I'm torn here between Belgium's scoring woes and the fact that they have personnel that can explode offensively given the opportunity. The U.S. have held up well against 3 dangerous attacks in group play but Belgium love to pounce on the smallest errors that can occur. Belgium can beat the U.S. aerially with Lukaku/Fellaini or off the wings with players like Hazard and Mertens. Despite circumstances, I also can't ignore they hung 4 on this team a year ago. Advantage: Belgium.

Goalkeeping: Two of the elite goalkeepers in the world square off. Courtois the advantage in size and athleticism, Howard the advantage in experience and control over his area. I feel Courtois is the better of the two but Howard has one of the top penalty-saving records of any keeper in the past few years. Advantage: Even.

Belgium will win if:

Be wary of the American counter-attack and work the ball deep down to the end line on attack. Belgium's strength in this tournament in the offensive third has been their speed on the wings and height in the penalty area. Need to get the ball deep down in to U.S. territory and either cut to goal or send crosses from there. The other reason for this is it forces the U.S. to go the length of the field in counter-attack. Belgium have been sloppy with the ball so far and the U.S. are one of the top counter-attacking teams around. Can't allow them to go a short field on the rush.

USA will win if:

Pressure Belgium through the midfield and hope they will turn the ball over going forward. Defensively, the two centre backs have to be on point and understand where both Lukaku and Fellaini are in their area to prevent them from getting free headers. Offensively, attack the wings and look to get behind Alderweireld/Vertonghen (or their replacements) and take advantage of the lack of pace on the Belgian defence.

Prediction

Very close game and I imagine it takes 120 minutes at least to be completed. Don't know how well the U.S. fares offensively with or without Altidore despite Belgium's injury woes. But also don't think Belgium can beat the U.S. pressure and get the quality chances they would expect to. I said in my knockout round predictions this game was most likely to get to penalty kicks. Still feel that's the case.

Belgium 1-1 USA (Belgium wins 4-3 in penalty kicks)

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