Monday, June 14, 2010

USA Prepares For Slovenia At World Cup

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 14, 2010) The U.S. Men's National Team training staff is closely monitoring Tim Howard’s progress as he receives treatment for the bruised ribs he suffered against England on a challenge from Emile Heskey. Howard will be evaluated once again in the early Monday morning to determine if any tests will be required.

USA will now turn its focus to preparing for their next match against Slovenia on Friday, June 18. Slovenia is currently in 1st place in Group C with their win over Algeria.

Former West Brom midfielder and Slovenia captain Robert Koren scored a 79th-minute goal against a 10-man Algeria side to take first place in Group C after the first round of matches.

Algeria’s Abdelkader Ghezzal received his second yellow card just 15 minutes after coming into the game in the 58th minute, and six minutes later Algeria’s Faouzi Chaouchi misjudged the bouncing shot from Koren that made Slovenia the first team to reach three points after a game that featured just six shots on goal, the same number of shots on goal Tim Howard saved against England.

USA Head Coach Bob Bradley was quote in a press conference in South Africa saying “Slovenia played a tactical game. They are well organized and solid defensively. They got a good goal from Robert Koren, who has been an important player for Slovenia throughout qualifying. In reality, we had five weeks to prepare for the World Cup, and the players will tell you that it was only in the last four or five days that we really turned the focus on England. As a coaching staff, we had done our homework along the way, but we’ve done that with Slovenia and Algeria as well. When you’ve played a match, the day after is regeneration and, for the players who didn’t play, training. As a coaching staff, we’ve gone through the tape and we’ll start to look for some things with the team and getting some things established with Slovenia. The time frame for us is actually the same.”

The game is set for Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.


No comments: