Yuya Yagira
Receiver
Belgium is teeming with professional talent their roster features 12 players from the English Premier League and they've yet to lose while in Brazil. Plus, in a friendly last year, the Belgians won the Americans with score 4-2.
Certainly, there's plenty working against the US, especially in terms of overall talent. But there are some positives. Belgium is banged up, especially in the defensive third, where they may be without standout and captain Vincent Kompany, among others. The Americans got a bit of good news Monday on their own injury front when it was announced that striker Jozy Altidore will be available for the game. Possibly having Altidore with Dempsey up front greatly improves the American attack, which looked quite weak against Germany.
And while Belgium still boasts an advantage, they haven't looked like the powerful, cohesive unit that was expected of them. But they've taken care of business, winning every game so far this World Cup.
When it comes down to it, Belgium should win Tuesday. They have the superior side, and the US defense has been shaky and their possession quite weak. But it's certainly not a given.
Certainly, there's plenty working against the US, especially in terms of overall talent. But there are some positives. Belgium is banged up, especially in the defensive third, where they may be without standout and captain Vincent Kompany, among others. The Americans got a bit of good news Monday on their own injury front when it was announced that striker Jozy Altidore will be available for the game. Possibly having Altidore with Dempsey up front greatly improves the American attack, which looked quite weak against Germany.
And while Belgium still boasts an advantage, they haven't looked like the powerful, cohesive unit that was expected of them. But they've taken care of business, winning every game so far this World Cup.
When it comes down to it, Belgium should win Tuesday. They have the superior side, and the US defense has been shaky and their possession quite weak. But it's certainly not a given.
