What To Watch For: USA v. Algeria

Here's what I'll be watching for tomorrow morning:


1) Landon Donovan v. Nadir Belhadj

Donovan was the key to the US' stunning second half turnaround against Slovenia, reviving a sputtering attack with his confident near post smash just minutes after half time and providing quality service and energy on the wing throughout the final 45.  He showed a great deal of poise and leadership throughout the match, something that the US will certainly need against Algeria, particularly if things don't go according to plan.  On the wing, he'll likely be matched up with Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj, an outside back not unlike Slovenia's Bojan Jokic that will look to get forward when he can to give a numbers advantage on the outside.

The offensive threat that Donovan represents should help to keep Belhadj pinned back, nullifying one aspect of the Algerian attack and taking a little bit of pressure off of Steve Cherundolo and the rest of the defense.  Donovan is a superior player and should get the better of Belhadj; his crosses and attacking runs from the wing will be key if the US is to open up a lead against Algeria and secure the crucial victory.


2) The first 20 minutes

It's like a broken record, but yet again we are worrying about the USMNT's propensity for slow starts ahead of a pivotal match.  They conceded within five minutes against England and gave up a goal to Valter Birsa in the 13th minute, continuing a bad habit that followed them throughout 2009.  If the US is to pull off the win, they can't afford to fall behind yet again; there's only so much comeback magic that one team can conjure up, and I don't want to have to hope for yet another comeback against the Desert Foxes. 

If there's any silver lining, it's that the last time the US was involved in a must-win group stage match, they did manage to get out to quick start.  Against Egypt in last summer's Confederations Cup, the Yanks generated a couple of quality scoring opportunities in the opening minutes before Charlie Davies eventually broke through in the 21st minute.  Let's hope that they can replicate that early success against Algeria and ride it to a similarly comfortable win.


3) Jozy Altidore v. Madjid Bougherra

For my money, Madjid Bougherra was the man of the match in Algeria's 0-0 draw with England last week.  He used his strength and positioning to frustrate the English front line and shut down attack after attack.  Jozy Altidore, meanwhile, had some success in the second half of the Slovenia match by using his big frame to protect the ball, draw fouls, and win aerial battles (with his header setting up Michael Bradley's equalizer).  Though he has yet to find the back of the net, I have liked what I have seen out of Altidore in this tournament, particularly considering that he's just 20 years old and making his World Cup debut.  I think that Bougherra will be a tougher challenge for Jozy, but I expect him to at worst occupy Bougherra's attention and open up some space for his strike partner and any cutting midfielders. 


4) Getting Caught on the Counter

Though Algeria have yet to score a goal in group play, they do possess some talent going forward that is capable of punishing the US if given a quality opportunity to do so.  While the likes of Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach) and Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg) are far from the level of Wayne Rooney, they do have a good bit of skill in their own right and cannot be left unaccounted for.  The longer that Algeria stayed level in the match with England, the more confident they got on the ball, at times showing some flair in the final third and causing the English some problems. 

If the US does control the flow of play and the outside backs press up on the wings, the center backs and midfielders will have to be aware of their susceptibility to the counterattack and, if necessary, take a foul and caution near half to avoid any serious threat.  With that being said, disciplined defending and ball security in the midfield and across the back line should allow the US to contain the Algerian attack.  Then again, as we have learned so far, that is easier said than done.


5) Algeria's goalkeeper 

Algeria's goalkeeping was the center of attention for all the wrong reasons after the first match day, with Faouzi Chaouchi gifting Slovenia a goal with some...interesting...technique.  He rode the bench for the England match, with Rais M'Bolhi getting the call instead and preserving the clean sheet.  Though M'Bolhi was able to keep England off the board, I still wonder how long he'll be able to go without a similar error, as I expect he will once again get the call on Wednesday.  After all, M'Bolhi has just two caps and one start to his name, and that lack of experience at the international level and with his back line could end up working the US' advantage at some point. 

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Enjoy the game, folks.  Hopefully I'll be able to right something celebrating a win tomorrow, rather than a more somber, frustrated piece.  Cross your fingers, knock on wood; all that good stuff.