USA vs. Algeria – USA Can and Will Progress

Win and you’re in. It’s that simple for the USA when it takes on Algeria in its final group game. Al Dannity breaks down the biggest Soccer game in the history of the USA.

Living up to potential
After a brave but cagey performance against England and a horrible opening period against, we finally saw the USA live up to its potential in the second half of the Slovenia game. I don’t know if Bob Bradley channelled his inner Herb Brooks but whatever he said at half-time seemed to do the trick as the USA team I promised you in my previews finally came to play. This was a flat-out dominating performance, one which merited a share of the spoils and with it a shot at booking a place in the knockout stages against Algeria.

Yes we can complain about Koman Coulibaly, who despite being one of the most experienced referees in Soccer managed to rule out what looked like a legitimate winner for the USA. A point will do for the USA, all they needed from this game was to stay in the fight and the 2-2 result made sure of that.

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Algeria must attack
Don’t expect to see Les Fennecs come out and let the USA charge forward. Anything other than victory for Algeria and its World Cup is over. That means we should not expect the kind of cautious display that frustrated England for 90 minutes on Friday. No team in the group possesses less attacking talent than Les Fennecs but against England this team showed great organization and Slovenia showed what can happen when a well-disciplined team takes the game to the USA.

This is the USA’s time
Remember what I said about Algeria needing to attack? Well that is going to leave holes at the back which will be exploited by Landon Donovan’s pace and Jozy Altidore’s power. I like Altidore at +600 on Sports Interaction to be the first goal scorer in this game. The big striker is difficult to defend at the best of times but with Les Fennecs needing to score they won’t be able to commit as many bodies to cover him. Altidore is itching to make an impact in South Africa and he will in this game.

Defensively the USA looked much more organised in the second period of the Slovenia game and now that the midfield is looking steady I don’t expect Le Fennecs to breach the USA’s defense. Back the USA to win and make it to the knockout rounds.

XXVII: Gabriel Morency previews the upcoming World Cup action

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQcHcqMavso[/youtube]