2010 World Cup: Confederation Cup experience will help America: coach Bradley’s secret plan
It started back in 2007 when Benny Feilhaber stuck a marvellous volley near the end of the Gold Cup final to provide the United States of America a 2-1 victory against Mexico. That wasn’t the only achievement that USA got that day. They hit two birds with one stone as they also qualified for the Confederations Cup 2009 which was being held in South Africa.
Their overall performance back then was pretty good in the tournament and it is bound to provide them with an edge in tournament. American goalkeeper Tim Howard believes so too; not only are they aware of the climate the environment and the surroundings, they are also more used to the terrain the crowd and difficulties faced there.
The goalkeeper said, “I mean this is a very positive way, but I think Confederations Cup diluted it for us last year. We became so familiar with all the surroundings. It's like, 'We've been here before”.
Tim Everton, the star from the English Premier League’s team Everton, (which has heavy influence from America) reckoned, “I do think that as time goes by, in the next five to 10 years, it'll feel a lot more special and we'll start talking about it being the first World Cup on African soil. It's hard to get your mind around that right now because there's so much other stuff going on, but it's certainly special”.
There are many opinions about the Americans start with The Three Lions; some saying that it is better for them to face a tough team so that they can be prepared earlier while others suggest that it could exhaust and demoralize them. Howard however belies that playing the English could in fact prove a bonus for them as it will not only prepare them further for the tournament but the tough start will set them on the right course. They happen to be one of the toughest teams in Group C and if the Americans can get an upper hand on them by beating them, America will certainly have a bright future in the tournament.
Howard explained that having a tough match out of site early could help them focus on the others in the Group. Group C also contains Algeria and Slovenia but USA will only encounter them after their duel against England on the 12th of June. Howard also summarized that if they win, their campaign for the title will be much easier instead of exiting early from the tournament. America will have an easier path out of the knockout rounds.
The shot-stopper stated, “I've said all along that I much prefer to play England in the first game than in the last game in the group, because it is such a massive game and we are so ready and prepared and hyped up,” He then added, “It's going to be exciting and the nerves are already starting to flow”. Howard also told that Bradley had a special plan in mind against the Americans but he won’t talk about it now.
The key for the Americans to win this game will be to stop the charge of Wayne Rooney and intercept the plays made by their skipper Steven Gerrard. Their coach Bob Bradley has put on the best defence the Americans have got but that doesn’t change the fact that they do have lesser quality in the department in comparison to other teams.
Bob Bradley has told that they won’t exploit the Rooney’s temper in order to distract him, an issue that is quite on the rise this World Cup. Experts suggest that if the USA wants to prosper they will have to put on a strong defence and counter attack. They have a healthy pair of attackers that have the ability to cut through defences. A good pass will be all that’s needed for them to turn around the game.
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