The Final: USA v. Brazil
Who will be on the field?
I don’t expect any changes from Bob Bradley, with the obvious exception being a replacement for Michael Bradley. If the change is anyone other than Benny Feilhaber, then we need to start worrying. Sacha Kljestan was abysmal in the first matchup with Brazil, so hopefully Bradley doesn’t use him again.
That being said, here’s what we should expect:
Altidore Davies
Donovan Dempsey
Clark Feilhaber
Bocanegra Spector
Gooch DeMerit
Howard
Dunga is unlikely to be conservative here, as a loss could very easily see him fired. Sure, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to lose to a USA team that just beat Spain, but the Brazilians are notorious for not accepting bad losses. Losing to the US, in their eyes, would be a bad loss.
Here’s what I believe Brazil will put out against us:
Fabiano
Ramires Kaka Robinho
Melo Silva
Alves Maicon
Luisao Lucio
Cesar
With Fabiano being relatively ineffective of late, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Dunga opts for the younger, speedier Alexandre Pato, or uses Kaka and Robinho up top and brings back Elano to the wing opposite Ramires. Either way, the USA’s best opportunities are going to be attacking the corner gaps in behind Maicon and Alves (though it’s definitely possible we could see Alves on the right and Andre Santos on the left). Melo and Silva certainly aren’t fleet of foot, so Altidore, Feilhaber, and Davies should have chances to exploit them.
Who do you think will and\or should be starting for both teams? Share your thoughts using the comment buttons below.
Filed under: US Men's National Team
