World Cup Predictions

[schspitner]

brazil has ronaldinho what else do they need

[manU721]

Here are my predictions:

 

USA-1 Czech-0 (I think that the Czechs have SO many injuries, that the chemistry and fitness just won't be there for them, although Donovan and Beasley will be so tightly marked, we will need a big game from Eddie Johnson and McBride, also O'Brien and Renya will HAVE to play excellent. Onyewu and Pope will have their hands full with Baros and especially Nedved. We also will finally see if Eddie Lewis can really play left back, and we will all pray that Cherundolo's mistake against Morroco was his last one. If these players don't play out of their minds it won't matter if the Czechs are out of shape, we will lose.)

 

Ghana-2 Italy-1 (Upset pick of the Group stage, Ghana has nothing to lose and I don't think the Italians will have an answer to stop Essien, I believe he runs free early and finally two Italians will have to mark him later in the game and that will open space for the no-names of Ghana, who you can bet will have tons of speed. This is another France vs. Senegal from 2002. If you remember, Zidane had an injury right before the 02 WC and that killed the French team, I see a big comparison between what Zidane's injury meant to France and what Totti's injury means to Italy. Don't forget that little scandal, as well.)

 

USA-2 Italy-2 (again, speed and age is a question on Italy's back line, and expect Eddie Johnson to create lots of space for Mcbride, Donovan, Beasley, and O'Brien. However, I think Italy's offense finds its chemistry and runs right by the suspect defending of Cherundolo and Eddie Lewis. I hope I'm wrong about our wing backs, but I dont think I am. A draw is fine though.)

 

Ghana-1 Czech-1 (The Czech's solid play returns and Ghana won't find space. Essien has a good game and gets a goal, but he has to concentrate on getting back to help his defense and won't be able to get forward often. This is the end of the tourney for the Czechs, and everyone finally will realize that this team is WAY overrated. Good, but overrated.)

 

USA-3 Ghana-2 (Renya has to have the game of his career, because Michael Essien will be his job this game. He will follow him everywhere and keep him frustrated. Cherundolo and Lewis will have a BIG game going forward, smacking in crosses for the heads of McBride and Johnson. I think Donovan has to stay forward as well. The USA will win this game, and the group.)

 

Czech-2 Italy-4 (Neither team will hold anything back, which might make this the best game in the group stage. Italy will push everyone forward, and the Czechs will get their goals on counter-attacks. However, the Italian attack is too much, but it will show up too late.)

 

Takes these for what they are worth, give me some imput on my predictions..

[utsoccer87]

Here are my predictions:

 

Ghana-2 Italy-1 (Upset pick of the Group stage, Ghana has nothing to lose and I don't think the Italians will have an answer to stop Essien, I believe he runs free early and finally two Italians will have to mark him later in the game and that will open space for the no-names of Ghana, who you can bet will have tons of speed. This is another France vs. Senegal from 2002. If you remember, Zidane had an injury right before the 02 WC and that killed the French team, I see a big comparison between what Zidane's injury meant to France and what Totti's injury means to Italy. Don't forget that little scandal, as well.)

 

 

 

zidane didn't play in that game or the next one and totti is going to be playing so its not really the same thing. i hope your predictions are right though, that's about how i see it playing out.

[Law-Five]

I'm not sure Ghana will overcome history and win or tie a match. This is their first world cup and even with Essien they won't overcome history and their almost total lack of experience on the big stage.

 

The USA is too suspect at too many positions. If the Czechs and the Italians are on their game or even near it the USA won't be able to score. If the USA pushes too many men forward they'll give up too many scores to the counter attack (aka Morocco).

 

That said - I like this team better than any of our previous teams. Thank god we no longer have to suffer watching Jeff Agoos, Chris Armas, John Harkes, etc.

[manU721]

 

The USA is too suspect at too many positions. If the Czechs and the Italians are on their game or even near it the USA won't be able to score. If the USA pushes too many men forward they'll give up too many scores to the counter attack (aka Morocco).

 

That said - I like this team better than any of our previous teams. Thank god we no longer have to suffer watching Jeff Agoos, Chris Armas, John Harkes, etc.

 

well, I agree with you on Agoos and Armas and the like, however if Bruce decides to play Wolffe, Ching, and Convey we may be stuck with more of the same..

 

I just curious when I ask this, but what positions are we suspect at? Just curious, I'm not trying to start a fight or anything...

[MarkT]

well, I agree with you on Agoos and Armas and the like, however if Bruce decides to play Wolffe, Ching, and Convey we may be stuck with more of the same...

 

I agree with listing Ching and Wolff under that heading. However, I think Convey could be a huge player for us during the world cup.

 

Convey must has grown a lot as a player in the past couple seasons. Since his move to Reading in England a couple seasons ago, there is a noticable difference in the determination of his play (running at defenders, early crosses, quick passing...). I actually would prefer to see Convey start on the left wing against the Czechs instead of Beasley...he seems to have become stagnant in his development, though he is still young.

 

If your wondering about Convey actually playing at Reading, he started 45 of 46 games during league play for a team that won the League Championship with a record number of points. Premier league for Convey next season, hope he proves me right....

[ambiguousrock]

Convey has shown me a lot over the last three games. i thought he was one of the most active players on the field for the US.

 

To answer a previous question, we're suspect with our outside backs. Also, our center midfielding can be weak at times, especially with Reyna and O'Brien constantly battling with injuries.

[manU721]

What is everyone's projected line-up for the Czech game?

 

Here is mine:

 

Fowards: McBride, Johnson

Mids: O'Brien, Donovan(attacking), Renya(holding), Beasley

Defenders: Lewis, Pope, Onyewu, Cherundolo

Keeper: Keller

Edited June 1, 2006 by manU721

[defender25]

well, I agree with you on Agoos and Armas and the like, however if Bruce decides to play Wolffe, Ching, and Convey we may be stuck with more of the same..

 

I just curious when I ask this, but what positions are we suspect at? Just curious, I'm not trying to start a fight or anything...

 

 

I'm with MarkT; agreeing with the exception of Convey.

[soccer4life]

There is no way the US is making it the 1st Round no matter who shows up to play. Maybe in 2010.

[ambiguousrock]

There is no way the US is making it the 1st Round no matter who shows up to play. Maybe in 2010.

 

 

Heard the same thing in 2002. Come up with something new.

[manU721]

There is no way the US is making it the 1st Round no matter who shows up to play. Maybe in 2010.

 

really, why do you say that? Italy is just not that good, they are just a name. With all their talent, Italy should win the world cup every 4 years, but they don't. They were slaughtered by the Koreans in 2002, and they Italians were so much stronger then than they are now! We tied the Koreans in 2002, and should've beat them, remember? The Czechs just dont have the athletism to keep up with the US, and thats that. We will beat Ghana because they just don't have the forwards to beat us.

 

Have faith! The World Cup is crazy! If we win our group, it is set up perfectly for us to go to the semis!