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Fresh from their victory over Ghana, the US take on a battered Portugal tonight, knowing that a draw could suffice to qualify from the group. However, it won’t be easy: the US’ main defensive weakness happens to lie in the area of Portugal’s greatest strength.
Team News
Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential return is a major morale-booster, but it’ll still be a depleted Portugal side that takes the field in Manaus. Striker Hugo Almeida, left-back Fabio Coentrao and centre-half Pepe are all out. In their places, Helder Postiga is an experienced centre-forward but Andre Almeida and Ricardo Costa may lack the nous for this level. Bruno Alves and Rui Patricio’s injuries will worry Bento as well, though they are likely to start.
Trending
In Jozy Altidore’s absence, Jurgen Klinsmann may start Aron Johansson upfront alone, with the rest of the side unchanged.
Venue: Arena Amazonia, Manaus. Late kickoff, humid but won’t be very hot – crucial for 2 sides that rely so much on running, especially on the flanks.
Date & Time: 23rd June, 3:30 AM (IST)
Key Battles
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Fabian Johnson
Michael Bradley vs Raul Meireles
Facts
Head-to-head: 5 meetings, 2 wins apiece and a draw.
The US have scored in 7 consecutive World Cup matches, but kept only 2 clean sheets in the last 24. Portugal’s defensive record in recent Cups is superior – 1 goal conceded apiece in the group stages of the last 2 World Cups – but the 4-0 thrashing by Germany has upended that.
Fun fact: Their only previous World Cup meeting, which saw the US prevail 3-2, involved 2 own goals – the only time this has happened in World Cup history.
Tactics
Against Ghana, the US took a very early lead and then sat back, defending in two banks of four and allowing Ghana to have the ball, recording 41% possession. Defensive, lead-protecting football usually involves a counter-attacking threat, but the US had none – Michael Bradley, their most important player and former AS Roma stalwart, was poor on the night and mislaid several passes. Counter-attacking could well be the US’ main weapon tonight against a Portugal side that will surely attack from the start, but is terribly weak at the back.
On his day, Bradley’s role is similar to that of Kevin-Prince Boateng’s for Ghana – non-creative, but connecting midfield and attack through sheer running and power. He and Clint Dempsey may fancy their chances against Bruno Alves and Ricardo Costa, neither of whom are comfortable getting up the pitch. Without Pepe’s pace and power, Raul Meireles will be forced to stay deep, which could leave a lot of vacant space behind Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho. With that in mind, Klinsmann might be tempted to go for a 4-5-1 rather than his usual diamond formation with the ball.
This isn’t the strongest Portugal side in living memory, but they’ve retained the traditional potency on the wings. Ronaldo and Nani can attack from either end and overload the defenders. Ronaldo may not be at full pace, but his ball control and finishing are so good that even a half-chance in the right area might be enough. It’s worth noting that he will face right-back Fabian Johnson, who a) likes to bomb up the flanks, leaving plenty of unguarded space behind and b) was at fault for Ghana’s goal. Alejandro Bedoya may sit deeper than usual to provide Johnson support.
It isn’t an exaggeration to suggest that the US flanks are their main weakness. In possession, Klinsmann’s standard diamond formation doesn’t provide width, forcing the full-backs up the pitch – a 4-5-1 could correct that, of course. Without Coentrao’s supply down the left, the onus will lie on Moutinho to supply Ronaldo on the left.
The first goal will be crucial. With a goal difference of -4, Portugal will look to attack constantly and press hard from the start – but the US could nullify that simply by defending with numbers. The question is, can they exploit the gaps at the back to score themselves?
Prediction: Hard to call, but I’ll go with a scoring draw – probably a 2-2.
Referee: Nestor Pitana, Argentina
