[KDawgCometh]

the US team will have to study the Greece/Czech Rep game like no tommorrow. This is how they can win, it won't be pretty, but if you kick Nedved and Rosiscky a few times, the service to the Czech forwards will be nil. The Czechs do have a problem with firepower up front. Jan Koller is not a great striker, he is just tall, well the US has defenders who can counter that

Italy can be beat too, but, it won't be easy. The US will have to make the most of their chances, and that will be hard considering that Buffon is arguably the best keeper in the World. Italy's front line though will have a hard time. Pippo has been overrated for a long time, Del Piero has never regained his amazing form pre-injury, Cassano isn't consistent, and Vieri has been showing his age in recent years. The key again will be whether or not the US will be willing to play ugly and put the boot to the italian midfielders. We will probably have to play a defensive 3-5-2 or a defensive 4-4-2.

THe strength for the US overall will be their defense, goalkeeping, and the wingplay, namely of Demarcus Beasley. I do worry about our strike power as Eddie Johnson is the only reliable striker, and he hasn't faced opposition like this ever in his career. Brian McBride is solid and has done well in the Prem when he has played there

The US will gain respect IMO in how they will play at WC 2006. The MLS has been improving and has turned into a decent league and will help provide players for this US squad. We have a strong defense and a solid midfield, so if we can make the most of our chances and do well from set pieces, we may be able to pick up 4 or 5 pts, and that might be enough to go through to the next rd