International Friendly Preview: USA Vs Denmark

By Noah Davis

Who: United States vs. Denmark
What: International Friendly
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2009; 2:30 p.m. EST
Where: NRGi Park; Aarhus, Denmark
TV: ESPN Classic/ESPN2

After an uninspired performance against Slovakia that saw the United States Men's National Team struggle to break down the European squad's solid defense, the Americans travel to NRGi Park for a match against Denmark. Bob Bradley's side takes on a team that beat out Portugal and Sweden to win UEFA's Group 1 and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. With talents such as Juventus' Christian Poulsen and the emerging Jakob Poulsen, Denmark will provide a difficult challenge for the short-handed Stars and Stripes, who will struggle to score against a first-rate defense and will be shut out in consecutive matches for the first time in 2009.

Where's the offense?

The U.S. showed little attacking flow against Slovakia and clearly missed the presence of Landon Donovan. Clint Dempsey, who had the American's best chance on Saturday, returned to England after the match. Expect to see Stuart Holden, whose Houston Dynamo were bounced from the Major League Soccer playoffs over the weekend by Donovan's Los Angeles Galaxy, start in Dempsey's spot on the right wing. The midfielder's usually excellent crosses will be targeting Jozy Altidore, who created almost nothing during his 82 minutes of action in Bratislava, and probably Eddie Johnson, who showed a bit of spark after coming on for Conor Casey at the start of the second half. Denmark, which only conceded five goals during 10 qualifying matches, won't be broken down easily and it's hard to see the Red, White, and Blue finding the back of the net.  

The defense never rests

Both Steve Cherundolo, who started against Slovakia, and Chad Marshall, who didn't but would have if he were healthy, left the team. One replacement is Edgar Castillo, the Tigres defender who will challenge for the starting left back position. With Castillo, Heath Pearce, and Jonathan Bornstein -- who conceded a penalty against Slovakia -- all available, Bradley has a choice to make. The American manager has seen Pearce and Bornstein play frequently, so he should turn to the new arrival against Denmark. After only a few training sessions, Castillo can't be too familiar with the U.S. style, but this is a friendly after all. In the middle, Jimmy Conrad will join Carlos Bocanegra after Clarence Goodson looked lost in 18 minutes against Slovakia.   

Danes down, but not out

While the Danish side originally picked by manager Morten Olsen was close to the country's best team, injuries and club commitments ravaged the roster. The list of first teamers missing is long. Nicklas Bendtner, Thomas Kahlenberg, and Dennis Rommedahl are three of the five or six regular starters who won't figure on Wednesday. Even so, the backline -- especially U-21 star Simon Kjaer and Per Kroldrup in the middle -- is remarkably solid, if not spectacular. Jakob Poulsen will have the AGF crowd behind him and the incentive to outplay teammate Benny Feilhaber. Goals could be a problem, but look for Denmark to capitalize on some confusion between U.S. backliners and emerge victorious.  

Projected U.S. Line Up

-------------------Guzan------------------

Spector--Conrad--Bocanegra--Castillo

Holden--Feilhaber---Bradley---Rogers

----------Johnson--------Altidore--------

Projected Denmark Line Up

-----------------Sorensen----------------

Jacobsen---Kjaer---Kroldrup---Lumb

----------------Poulsen------------------

Rieks --Jensen--Poulsen--Jorgensen----

---------------Rassmussen---------------

 
Goal.com prediction

United States 0-2 Denmark

Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.

Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more