USA vs Spain Preview

As the United States prepares for its stiffest test yet in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the performance against Egypt will certainly have to carry in to tomorrow's match. The Spanish side are currently on a 15 game winning streak, and haven't lost in 36 straight matches, both records. US fans will remember last summer when the USA played Spain to a tight 1-0 defeat in Santander. That game, which was a friendly, did not feature Spain's full compliment of players (Villa did not play and Torres was nursing a sprained ankle and only played the first half). Only Xavi's knifing run through the US defense earned Spain the win, after the US defense had tired. In this tournament, Spain has out-scored its opponents 8-0, though it must be said that they were put in to a less than impressive group, but never-the-less the US cannot afford to relax in this one. Spain's first choice group is a lesson in international superstars at every position. Here is a likely starting 11 for Spain:

--------------Villa---------Torres--------------

---------Silva-------Xavi-------Fabregas-----

--------------------Alonso---------------------

Capdevila-----Pique---Puyol---------Ramos

-------------------Casillas--------------------

There is little doubt that Spain will control much of the possession, as that's just their game. Pass the life outta the ball does Spain, often to a point of sheer boredom, but then at that moment when a defense becomes lax, Spain attacks space, and guys like Xavi, Fabregas, and Silva can play through balls with the best of them, and Torres and Villa are arguably the best starting striker combination in the world and will finish with authority.

So what can the US do to stop this deadly attack? Well its quite easy to say honestly...stay disciplined. Cutting off Spain's passing lanes is the key to disrupting their attack. If the centerbacks (Onyewu and Bocanegra if fit, or DeMerit) can stay physical on Torres and Villa, then the US may just be in with a shot. I don't see much reason to change much as far as the US line-up is concerned. Here are my starting 11:

--------------Altidore-------Davies-------------

Donovan-------------------------------Dempsey

--------------Bradley--------Clark---------------

Bornstein---Bocanegra---Onyewu-----Spector

---------------------Howard---------------------

If Bocanegra passes his fitness test, he should get the start in front of DeMerit, who is having a solid tournament, but it was Bocanegra and Onyewu who helped the US to such a strong performance last summer. Davies gets the nod again because of the speed, energy and hustle he can bring. Altidore, who didn't play in last years match up, gets the nod at the target forward slot with Davies, Donovan (who didn't play either last year), and Dempsey running off of him. Donovan proved to be very dangerous running at the Egyptian back line, and could easily do it again, because Spain are vulnerable on the counter-attack because Ramos and Capdevila love going forward, leaving the flanks vulnerable. If Donovan and Dempsey can provide good service and Spector and Bornstein can close down space on the wings better, the US is definitely in with a chance tomorrow. If we play with heart, like we did against Egypt, anything is possible.