Round of 16: USA vs Belgium
After a difficult group stage, the United States now face an even bigger and fiercer enemy: Belgium. After fighting for survival from the group of death, the Americans are on the warpath to the quarter finals, being given a trial by fire against some of the biggest contenders in the World Cup. The Belgians are strong, they have a squad that is young and talented, which defeated the United States just a few months prior. They’ll have to face a refreshed American squad, though, one that has been setting the world on fire ever since it landed in Brazil.
As good as they are, Belgium have had an underwhelming run of performances. They’ve been unable to get decisive victories against relatively weak opposition. They struggled to score goals, and ultimately were saved by a moment of brilliance in each matches they played. With all their talent, the Belgians have failed to dominate games. They control possession but do very little with it, and they lack creativity when teams pack in and defend. Add in four big center backs leading the defense, and speed is a problem. Any team with the ability to counter has a golden opportunity against the Red Devils.
Belgian Talent
That being said, the Belgians also have some key difference makers. For one, they have a near bottomless supply to talent, as seen against Algeria. Their ability to bring on three separate game changing subs fundamentally raises the stakes. If the United States sit back too long, they give Belgium the chance to bring on a spark player like [strangely] Marouane Fellaini to get a header in the box. With manager Jurgen Klinsmann deciding to sit back and defend against difficult teams, this is a dangerous factor in his calculations.
All that being said, this is far from an easy game for the Belgians. The United States is sticking to it’s football philosophy of being as difficult to beat as humanly possible. As a squad, they play above the level of their individual players. The Americans possess a kind of compactness, where they use a high work rate as a counter weight to whatever their opposition throws at them. In essence, they will fight to the death every single game. Throw in the difficulty the Belgians had dominating games and breaking down opposition, and this is a potential nightmare scenario. They will struggle against a US midfield that has been absolutely outstanding, and a defense that can match them. Throw in a counter attacks and speed down the wings and Belgium are fighting an uphill battle.
Belgian Injuries
For the US, recent events are a gift from God. Two injuries have taken out star defender and team captain Vincent Kompany as well as Thomas Vermalean. The replacement may feature Daniel Van Buyten, an aging 36 year old Bayern Munich veteran who is extremely slow, leaving space for a pacey striker to cut in behind. This gap might also push Jan Vertonghen back to the central role he often plays for Tottenham Hotspur instead of where he was playing for Belgium in this tournament at left back. This means that the United States is now pitching Alejandro Bedoya and Fabian Johnson, two players who can tear defenses apart, against a second rate left back.
Jozy Altidore Returns
Meanwhile, Jozy Altidore is very likely to play giving the attack a much needed jump. He will be a shock player, being able to launch sudden attacks before making hold up plays. He is essentially, the orchestrator of the attack, the man who takes charge, and he is flying high on confidence. While this is his first game back, he is still a necessary component to complete this squad, and he will most likely start for a half before. His introduction will push Dempsey to a second striker role, the position that he prefers, giving him the freedom to move in and around the offense.
The American Midfield
In midfield, Jermaine Jones has been dominant and will continue to control the game alongside Kyle Beckerman. Jones will have to move farther to the right to deal with Eden Hazard, leaving Beckerman to assist with the breakup plays in the middle. While Michael Bradley has not been on his usual form, Klinsmann will most likely start him as he is still one of their most talented options. If he continues to play poorly, he can expect to come off come the second half as having a passer is an absolute necessity against Belgium.
This is a role that can be filled by Mix Diskerud in his traditional attacking midfield role. His passing is fantastic, especially in tight areas. On defense, the introduction of Omar Gonzalez has reinforced the cracks in the backline. His performance against Germany was utterly astonishing, especially after coming off of injury, and he is an almost guaranteed starter. There were questions whether the Gonzalez- Besler partnership would work, and the two proved themselves against Germany.
In the end, the game is a tossup. Belgium are good, but the United States are strong. It will be a game of mentality and tactics. Victory is up to whichever team goes out and chases this game. One moment of magic, one brilliant play will control who progresses, and for the US that means another battle to the death for victory.
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