gnarface_killah

Honestly, I don't know, it could be a close game or a blow-out either way.

It really depends on the formation and players Arena uses. WIth the comments he and the players have made about disrupting Ghana's midfield I suspect we'll see another 4-5-1 with BMB up top and Olsen next to Reyna if JOB's not ready. If that's the case, I think we'll struggle to score.

I'd like to see a 4-4-2 with a box midfield consisting of Reyna and JOB (Convey if JOB's not ready, he's played that role for both club and country in the past) defending and Donovan and Dempsey attacking with EJ and Ching up top, BMB replacing Ching if he can't hack it. I think that gives us the best chance of scoring.

From what I've read, Ghana will look very different without Asamoah and Muntari. They're the best scoring threats on a team that had a lot of scoring questions cmoing into the tournament, and apparently their likely replacements aren't nearly as fast or accurate. Essien and Appiah will have to step it up, and of the 2 Appiah is the main scoring threat.

If we can pester them and be disruptive we can hit them on the counter. Their keeper seems to be athletic but he doesn't have the positional sense of Cech and Buffon so I think we'll see more 25-yard shots, and with the way the ball's moving we might knock a few in.

Best case scenario: Ghana goes up early, the Italians hear this and put in 1 or 2 on the Czechs to avoid Brazil. Our boys retain their composure and tie, Ghana continues to push forward because that's pretty much what they do, we hold strong and hit 1 or 2 more on the counter. If EJ starts I think he'll score, otherwise it's up to LD and my boy Clintinho. I'll be wearing his Revs shirt while watching the game so I hope he does me proud.

BIG BIG BIG game today, lets hope the US can do the business.