Driving fullbacks
Brazil’s attacking fullbacks are the key to the this game. Because of the aerial strength at the center of the U.S.’s defense, and the inconsistent quality of Alves’s crosses, crosses from deep are less of a concern than quick passing interchanges when Alves cuts inside and makes plays happen on the edges of the 18. However, when Brazil’s fullbacks get forward expect the U.S. to exploit the wide space in behind. Most likely, this will involve Donovan, Altidore, Davies, or Casey opportunistically drifting into that space, even if it means they have to leave someone alone up front.
Plugging the holes: shutting down long-range blasts
Something the U.S. will have to watch out for are shots from distance, which has been a problem in the past couple games and will continue to be a problem against opposition with the technique to serve up these Xabi Alonso-esque blasts. Monday’s game against Italy is a poor benchmark because of the man disadvantage, but dissecting the first goal is nonetheless a useful exercise:
- Bradley reads the game well and intercepts the pass
- Dempsey controls the ball with his chest and pings it towards Feilhaber/ Donovan
- Bradley first shields to ensure that the ball reaches its destination, but then takes a step forward. Had Feilhaber turned and gotten the ball to Donovan, he could have one touched it into Bradley’s path in order to launch an extremely dangerous counter (2-2, becoming a 4-4 if the play was slowed up). However, Feilhaber instead loses out to an enterprising Rossi, and Italy has a 4-4 break with catastrophic results.
The first is to add in an additional holding defensive midfielder who sits back and either man-marks the dangerman in the hole (Kaka), or serves as a zonal marker who steps up quickly in situations like the Rossi goal. This has the benefit pushing up the central midfield pairing, whose counterattacking instincts are blunted by being tethered back anyhow. However, it also leaves Altidore isolated up front. Right now, Altidore is better at drawing fouls than serving as a dynamic target man. Brazil are no slouches on set pieces, so this may not be the best option.
The second option is to ensure that midfielders track back and harry so the opposing team doesn’t have the luxury of lining up shots. I think this is the more attractive option, but also the more difficult one, because it requires Premiere League-style fitness and tenaciousness, rather than merely a change in tactics. Obviously, it also requires the U.S. to be more careful with the ball around the center circle. One overlooked drawback to this strategy: lining up Altidore and Davies together up top robs the U.S. of the option to sub in a forward with pace, at least with the present squad.
Look for the U.S. to be attempting the second option, not only in tomorrow’s game but also moving forward over the next year.
Other things to expect or look for
- I have a hunch that if the U.S. is failing to generate attacking opportunities, Adu may come in as a sub. He performed well against Spain in the friendly last year, and he has the qualities to open up the Brazilian defense from a position in the hole.
- Expect Brazil to target the left side of the U.S. defense, with Kaka drifting over there. Having watched Monday’s game, Dunga will see Bornstein as more vulnerable than Spector. And if Beasley gets the nod at left back, I’m afraid he might have a difficult game.
- Earlier substitutions. Bob Bradley will realize that he probably waited a little too long on Monday, and legs are already tired from that game, so I expect Kljestan to get plenty of time to show he deserves another chance in the starting eleven. Likewise Beasley.
- Pato wrecking havoc, whether as a sub or starter.
