USA Midfield Will Be Key Area Against Belgium

Date: 1st July 2014 at 8:57am
Written by:

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side will face Belgium on Tuesday in the last sixteen of the 2014 World Cup.

In a tournament of giant killing, underdogs and upsets, the United States hopes of getting through the round of 16 are high. USA already killed pre-World Cup predictions by escaping from a Group G including Ghana, Portugal and Germany. Right now, the question is: can they go even further? The mission is hard but not impossible. Belgium have a strong and young team at their disposal.

The Americans, however, have the weapons to face them. To beat the Belgians, the Yanks need a strong midfield performance. It might sound like an old-school, obvious, classic, football mantra but it remains true, never so much as this time. Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman have been the heart and soul of the United States in the middle of the pitch.

In the style of 4-3-2-1 Klinsmann has fielded during this World Cup, both Jones and Beckerman have been able to screen the defense, Real Salt Lake’s deep-lying midfielder playing just in front of the backline while the German-American was playing to his side. To ensure success, they will have to repeat their latest performances, closing down their men and making the necessary interceptions. It will be true especially for Jones. Playing like an interior holding midfielder, Jones will have probably to deal with Eden Hazard cutting inside.

The way Besiktas’ midfielder absorbs those runs could be a key part of this clash. Surely, Jones showed he can get the job done, although Belgium have a superior talent pool compared with Portugal and Ghana.

A pivotal role will be played by Michael Bradley. The former Roma midfielder has been highly scrutinized by fans and media and encountered a lot of criticism for his display during the World Cup. He hasn’t deserved that treatment. Bradley played with his usual high-level of energy both offensively and defensively.

A giveaway that led to Portugal’s final 2-2 score aside, Bradley has given a lot into a False Ten position he’s still learning. Surely, he lacked a little in the final third and, admittedly, his passes have rarely been effective in the opposite half of the field. His critics are too prone to stab at him, forgetting that Bradley isn’t a technical player or a classic No. 10.

His work is to provide the linking play between midfield and attack, not specifically through his passes but often just his runs across the backline. Bradley also has to add a lot of defensive work by pressing the opponents up the field, getting in the way to obstruct the build-up. The United States don’t need to keep possession as they are at their best playing fast counter-attacks. Bradley, Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya have the first task to contribute to this tactic; making quick transitions from defence to attack when in possession.

There is no evidence their duties will change against Belgium. What could change is the basic shape. Should Jozy Altidore be declared healthy enough to start, Klinsmann might opt to add a second forward to Clint Dempsey up front. Should Altidore not be fit, Klinsmann still could rely on a two-forwards shape pairing Seattle’s forward with Aron Johannsson or Chris Wondolowski.

There is also a real chance that USA coach could go with the 4-4-1-1 shown against Germany. In this case, Bradley’s work would change a bit, as this formation would ask him to play a more usual trequartista kind of game.

Belgium has got a very talented midfield featuring cutting inside wingers. So Klinsmann could instruct his midfielders to stay compact and absorb, lining up a 4+3 defensive block suited to close the gaps in the middle of the pitch. Whichever formation the German opts for, the midfielders’ work will be critical.

With Beckerman, Bradley, and Jones sure to start, the question remains as to who Klinsmann will pick as the fourth central man. The decision should be between Alejandro Bedoya and Brad Davis. Both are able to contribute in the final third and both have shown to be effective enough with the team out of possession.

A third option would be Mix Diskerud, the most technical footballer of this bunch, though it would be a surprise to see Diskerud start as he has been unused until now.

A final option is Julian Green, the most controversial pick Klinsmann made in naming his final 23-man roster. It is hard to image the young Bayern Munich wunderkind starting over more experienced veterans, but Green could be still helpful in the second half.

 

Comments are closed.