Monday, June 15, 2009

A Beautiful Day

Like Bono and the boys sang, it is truly a beautiful day here in Pretoria. It's a nearly cloudless sky with temperatures in the mid-60's. One of the little-known facts about South Africa is that much of the country is at elevation, and Pretoria sits nearly 4,600 feet above sea level at its lowest point. The cool, dry air has the feeling of Denver on a calm day.

We're about six hours from kickoff, and the players' floor is predictably quiet. Already two meals and one final meeting into the schedule, the lineup is set and the typical rhythm of game day hums along.

Remember to log on one hour before kickoff to find out the USA's starting XI against Italy. For now, let's hear your predictions!

10 comments:

Jeff said...

Don't tread on US!!

MSA said...

1-0 USA

Unknown said...

Howard. Bornstein, Gooch, Carlos, Spector. Beas, Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan. Josie, Ching.

psc230 said...

my prediction: Howard, Spector, Boca (if healthy, otherwise Demerit), Gooch, Bornstein, Dempsey, Clark, Bradley, Feilhaber, Altidore, Donovan. Imo, feilhaber has to start if we want to get a result. He was fantastic in the second half of Honduras.

bhamhawker said...

.......Altidore.......
Donovan........Dempsey
..Bradley...Feilhaber.
........Clark.........
Boca...........Spector
...DeMerit...Gooch....
........Timmay........

jersey george said...

USA will stun Italy 2-1. For once the venue is neutral. Hope Spector and Bornstein are in defense. If Bocanegra is not 100% Spector should fill in with Boca moving outside. Torres is suited best to play Italy's style.

Glosson said...

If we can avoid giving up an early goal, I see us standing a good chance of a D or a W. I think the age of Italy's team will catch up with them in the last 30 minutes and our young guys will still be going strong. I predict a 1-1 draw (but hoping for a 2-1 win).

Army of Dad said...

I will be a homer and predict/hope for a 2-1 win.

---------Howard--------
Spector--Gooch--DeMerit--Bornstein
---------Bradley-------
Clint------------Donovan
---------Benny---------
---Jozy--------Casey---

I wouldn't mind seeing Clint switch sides where he could help out on defense and Tores in place of Feilhaber.

Unknown said...

Donovan - Altidore


Feilhaber-Torres-Dempsey-Clark

Borns-Boca-Onyewu-Mastro

Howard

Unknown said...

I think it'll be 1-1

----------Altidore--------
Donovan--Feilhaber--Dempsey
-------Bradley-Clark--------
Born.--Bocaneg.-Gooch--Spector
-----------Howard-------------

Demerit for Boca if he can't go.