USA vs. Slovenia – Time For the USA to Step Up

The USA’s historic draw with England will count for nothing if it fails to get the job done against Slovenia. Al Dannity says we should expect a cautious yet dominating performance from the USA on Friday.

Take a big step

The USA’s historic draw with England on Saturday meant it enters Friday’s game with Slovenia in full control of its destiny. Bob Bradley’s men displayed great organisation and clever play to frustrate the All-Star roster they faced on Saturday. Slovenia is a big step down from England and this will allow the USA’s attacking stars like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan to open up their games on Friday. Don’t let Saturday’s display fool you, while the USA possesses no shortage of talent in defense, this is a balanced team that knows how to get forward and cause problems for opposing defenses. With no Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard to worry about, the USA will be able to dictate the tempo. There will be plenty of opportunities for Jozy Altidore to trouble Slovenia’s untested defense in this game and Donovan will find plenty of room to create chances for the striker in this match-up.

Slovenia: A slack team which will try to play tight

A freak goal, even more freakish than the one the USA scored against England, was what separated Slovenia from Algeria on Sunday. This was a game where everything with thought about the two unfancied sides in the group came to pass. Neither team showed any invention going forward despite clear frailties at the back. In short this is a team with the kind of weaknesses the USA should be able to exploit but it will take time.

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Slovenia enters this game two points ahead of the USA so they will know that a draw might be enough to stay in contention in this group. I expect Slovenia to sit back early. With that in mind I like Sports Interaction’s price of +105 for this game to be level at half-time.

It’s now or never

A draw might be enough for Bob Bradley’s team but that result takes control out of the USA’s hands. This game will, at times, be frustrating for USA fans but this is a patient team. The necessary goal will come, it may take time but the USA has too much creativity not to make the breakthrough eventually. When it does Slovenia will be forced to push forward and that should leave the opening the USA needs to grab second and secure the three points. If they do then the USA will have one foot in the second round.