The U.S. Olympic Team: A closer look at Group B

While you can't call the men's Olympic soccer tournament's Group B the Group of Death, it's pretty damn close. With the Netherlands, an underrated Nigeria and the United States all vying for a top two spot, this group is going to be brutal.

Just how brutal? Just take a look at the rosters for the other teams in Group B with the United States:

NETHERLANDS

GOALKEEPERS: Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse), Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax)

DEFENDERS: Kew Jaliens (AZ), Calvin Jong-A-Pin (SC Heerenveen), Kees Luijcks (AZ), Dirk Marcelis (PSV), Erik Pieters (PSV), Gianni Zuiverloon (West Bromwich Albion)

MIDFIELDERS: Otman Bakkal (PSV), Urby Emanuelson (Ajax), Jonathan de Guzman (Feyenoord), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Evander Sno (Celtic)

FORWARDS: Roy Beerens (sc Heerenveen), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid), Roy Makaay (Feyenoord), Gerald Sibon (sc Heerenveen).

NIGERIA

GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Ambrose Vanzekin (Akwa United), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Ocean Boys)

DEFENDERS: Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA), Monday James (sans club), Onyekachi Apam (Nice/FRA), Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/HOL), Olubayo Adefemi (Hapoel Bnei Lod/ISR), Chibuzo Okonkwo (Bayelsa United)

MIDFIELDERS: Sani Kaita (Sparta Rotterdam/HOL), Olufemi Oladapo (Boavista/POR), Emmanuel Ekpo (Columbus Crew/USA), Oluwafemi Ajilore (Groningue/HOL), Promise Isaac (Genclerbirligi/TUR), Chinedu Ogbuke (Hoffenheim/ALL), Bernard Okorowanta (Sivasspor/TUR), Yinka Adedeji (3SC)

FORWARDS: Victor Anichebe (Everton/ANG), Obinna Nsofor (Chievo/ITA), Peter Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscou/RUS), Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe/ESP), Solomon Okoronkwo (Hertha Berlin/ALL)

JAPAN

GOALKEEPERS: Kaito Yamamoto (S-Pulse), Shusaku Nishikawa (Trinita)

DEFENDERS: Hiroki Mizumoto (Sanga), Hajime Hosogai (Reds), Naoaki Aoyama (S-Pulse), Masato Morishige (Trinita), Michihiro Yasuda (Gamba), Atsuto Uchida (Antlers), Maya Yoshida (Grampus)

MIDFIELDERS: Yasuhito Endo (Gamba), Takuya Honda (S-Pulse), Hiroyuki Taniguchi (Frontale), Yohei Kajiyama (FC Tokyo), Keisuke Honda (VVV Venlo), Tsukasa Umesaki (Reds)

FORWARDS: Yohei Toyoda (Montedio), Tadanari Lee (Reysol), Shinji Okazaki (S-Pulse), Shinzo Koroki (Antlers), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)

The Dutch, led by Ryan Babel, Roy Makaay, Roysten Drenthe and Jonathan Guzman, is the clear favorite. Nigeria, which features Victor Anichebe, Peter Odemwingie, Ikechukwu Uche and Taye Taiwo, is also dangerous. Japan, which only brought one over-age player and is lacking any senior national team stars, looks like the weak link.

What do you think of the group? Can the Americans advance out of this group? are the Dutch a lock to win the group? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Betinho]

Relatively speaking I think this group is the most evenly matched. I can see any combonation of these teams finishing 1-2. Japan has the advatage of being close to home. On paper Holland looks the most dangerous to me. We have as good of a shot as anyone.

The teams that advance from this group get the teams that advance out of Argentina's group. It's going to be good to finish first and avoid a possible early knockout round game against Messi and Co....

(Ekpo with Nigeria...nice!)

[Chuck]

The only team we May get a result against is Japan. 3 and done for us

[mike ruze]

Wow,

It would have been nice to et into the second round for the publicity ...

Oh well.

The mini me back line we have will probably not fare well aginst the like of Holland and Nigeria.

[sprool11]

3 games and then returning home...UGH

[Juke Box Hero]

Ahh, you guys are too pessimistic. Where's your American optimism (rhetorical question...don't answer that)?

Don't forget, some of the guys on our squad will definitely have their respect from the opening whistle - McBride, Adu & Altidore.

Some of you posters would like to waive the white flag before the games begin. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[Ives]

Guys, it really boils down to beating Nigeria. I just don't think Japan will be a threat. Wins against Japan and Nigeria get it done.

[Dave]

Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? News to me. Nigeria and Netherlands are much better than ours, don't kid yourselves. That's not to say we couldn't surprise; but really, there's no comparison.

[ambihl]

"[Juke Box Hero]'s right. Psychotic, but absolutely right."

[IndyYankFan]

If we start well from the beginning we should progress to the 2nd round, the momentum will be there if we get 3 points from Japan. I remember in 2000 when we started out against Czech Republic and that set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Its not about wins and losses its about getting enough points to move on.

[Blake]

Those damn Germans, lest we ever forget the Luftwaffe cresting over the Hawaiian coast.

I'm not that impressed by Nigeria's squad. I would probably favor us in that game. For instance, I don't think Ekpo is on caliber with our MLS players. I know that's just one example, but it still says something.

[nate]

Dave, may I direct you to a little-known film called "Animal House"

[timpramas]

Dave:

Forget it, he's on a roll. (re not giving up after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor).

(Please rent Animal House and you will get the reference).

[Ives]

Juke Box Hero, you should know that the SBI demographics are heavy in the 18-28 range so Animal House jokes are doomed to bomb. Try Old School and work your way up if you want to get some laughs (And I did enjoy the Animal House reference Mr. Blutarsky).

[MZ]

I can't believe that Ekpo is on Nigeria's roster. It's amazing that MLS has a Nigerian good enough to make the U-23 team.

[Bill]

Dave and Blake -- obviously, you're too young to have sung "Louie, Louie" along with the Delt house. Makes me sad (and old).

[nate]

I'm not sure how the Nigeria game is more important than the Japan game. If we don't get the full 3 points (against a side that looked impressive at Toulon no less) the Nigeria match will be meaningless.

[Mike_D]

Dave, "Germans bombed Pearl Harbor..." is a reference to a famous speech from the movie "Animal House". It is fast becoming one of the most misinterpreted references as the years go by and fewer people have seen the movie.

Btw, I think we could beat Japan and Nigeria if we play well. Beating the Netherlands might be beyond our abilities but you never know.

[andy b.]

That's it, Ives. Now you're on double-secret probation.
To-ga!

[Mike_D]

Wow, the whole frickin Internet posted that in the time it took me to write that out. :) Sorry for the overkill!

[mikeK]

I'm 20. When I was little, my dad sat me down and let me watch animal house with him, haha.

Besides, the whole "was it over when the germans bombed pearl harbor" speech is bigger than the film. For instance, they play it late in Yankee games when they're losing.

[Steve]

That's just sad that people don't know Animal House. I'm leaving work to go drink. I suddenly feel old.

[thomas]

I trust Ives will be writing a more informative write up on our group, hopefully an article on each team as we get closer to d-day. I follow the game far more than the average american but with out cable TV (FSC/ESPN/GOLTV) I have no idea who any of these guys on the other teams are. Please Ives, or someone, breakdown their styles of play, strengths, key players, etc...

[Fumar]

Dave you must be totally devoid of humor. The quote you're picking on is from a classic John Belushi monologue in Animal House. Go rent it.

I'm the eternal optimist, but I think we fly in under the radar and snag a few games. Beating the Dutch and the Nigerians and losing to the Japanese, due to our own underestimation. We'll pull a Russia '08 at this thing and get a medal out of the deal. Can't wait.

[Steve]

That's just sad that people don't know Animal House. I'm leaving work to go drink. I suddenly feel old.

[brett]

im impressed with Nigeria's and Japan's roster about as much as a nigerian and Japanese are at looking at ours...

personally i know few names in there... altho some team names stick out... but as others have pointed out, some of our names should stick out.... BMB with his stint at Fulham... Guzan who is know with Aston Villa... Jozy with Villareal, and Adu at Benfica.... altho, guzan is just getting to AV, and BMB is no longer in england, that doesnt mean our team should be any less looked down on...

i fear our own fans expect too little... seems they still have WC 06' bitter taste in their mouths... time to move on guys, our boys can compete with any team on any given day... assuming we play our game and not a defensive shell...

[smokarz]

Why is everyone looking down on our boys? If our U20 was able to beat Brazil and demolished Poland, I am sure they can get out of this group comfortably.

Let's put things in perspective. First, we should be able to get 4 points out of the Japan and Nigeria matches. That alone might be good enough for us to advance. But I am quite confident that we could get 6 points from these two games, which would guaranteed advancement to the knockout stage.

Secondly, do not overrate the Dutch so much. On paper, they are a team with much better talents, however what matters is chemsitry and desire among the players. Also, do not underestimate the talents we have. Adu, Altidore, McBride, Rogers, and Holden should be able to do lots of damage to the Dutch. Quite frankly, I expect us to steal a point from the Dutch. And I won't be at all suprised if we took three points from them.

[timpramas]

I anticipate a deeply religious experience.

[Cabrito]

A lot of the US players are in "mid-season" form and playing in the Superliga. They'll be ready. Two wins and a draw.

[franco]

I wouldn't be scared of the dutch team, it's decent but I don't think any teams roster is as scary as Brazil's or Argentina's.

I think the USA and Nigeria will advance.

[Jonathan]

1 Netherlands
2 and 3 Japan and Nigeria
4 USA

Japan might be unknowns, but in the Toulon tournament, they had passion, no fear, and worked extremely well as a unit. Don't discount them. With the exception of the U-20 World Cup, the US has not been lighting up any tournaments. Nigeria could be a dark horse if they could get some momentum going.

[AllNats]

The time has come for someone to put his foot down on the Netherlands. And that foot is Team USA...

[brett]

our problem in quals was we really lacked on finishing... but i think thats fixed... if we can control the ball and stop the quick counters i think we'll be fine during group stages

fact is that with BMB we have a player with a nose for the goal....

Jozy will be fresh(unlike when the Quals came) and Nowak wouldnt dream of playing a solo forward with the likes of BMB and Jozy

Adu will find goals just like the quals...

Rogers will be a breath of fresh air in the attack

ontop of that we have Kljestan, Holden, and Bradley.... i think we'll hold our own in the group stages... whether we get the results, i dunno... anything can happen

[Lee]

Why is everyone writing off Japan? Their youth program is light years ahead of ours. They just keep getting better and better. Their style of play is so tactical. The only way we are going to beat them is if our speed can catch them on the counter. Its too bad that Japan didn't bring Usami. That kid is already better than any US prospect ever.

Netherlands are overrated. Due to us having the worst coach at the tournament, I think the final standings will be:

1. Nigeria
2. Japan
3. Netherlands
4. USA

[Jonathan]

Lee, I didn't write off Japan. They would watch well with the Nigerians and Dutch. What they lack against is the size factor. They were very good in the Toulon thing last May (??)

[brett]

the Toulon tournament was taken lightly by alot of teams... i wouldnt use that as an example of reference for any team

[Jonathan]

Lightly? The Ivorians and Japanese took their 3rd place game seriously. They play was passionate among other things. If that was even a 2nd squad Japanese side, the US could be in big trouble.

[Bobo]

But then shouldn't you be worried about the teams that took the tournament lightly and still went very, very far? What that tournament revealed was the depth of each team. We found out that an Italian B-side was still a damn good team, and we found out that the American B-side probably shouldn't have entered in the first place.

How can you call the Netherlands overrated? They've won 2 CONSECUTIVE U21 European championships. On talent alone, I would rate Nigeria and Holland ahead of the United States and Japan about even. Let's put it this way, I would be extremely surprised if the US managed to get out of this group. The way you hear some people going on about these young American players, you would think they were all the second coming of Cruyff.

[Kris]

Isn't Drenthe a defender not a forward?

[Original Aaron]

I think it is reasonable to shoot for 5 points and 2nd place in the group (not sure who the win will come against, but I think we can get one result out of the 3 games). We have 2 absolute studs up top in BMB and Jozy. We can leave the two of them on an island with Adu behind them linking to the rest of the team who stays behind the ball at all times and man-marks with high pressure. Just a modicum of service (with BMB and Jozy receiving the ball) will be enough to produce the one goal a game we will need to advance while playing with that conservative style.

[Lee]

I would think we would have a better chance if Nowak wasn't our coach. That guy is just terrible. As hard as this group is, we can't go in with a handicap that big and expect to make it out of the group.

[Jacob]

I think we may have to sweat it out, but I do see us making it out of the group. After that, we'll have to see who we draw.

[timpramas]

May I have 10,000 marbles please?

[grumpster]

Lee - don't be a hater just cuz u didn't make the team. Go back to randers fc and start kicking ass and you will get your chance with the senior nt.

[Juke Box Hero]

2 quick points:
(1) there's genuine consensus that Nowak took the right players. That's half the battle for him. The other half is to put them in the correct formation to win. If he does that, he's done all he can. I think Nowak will make the right calls in the end. 8 of the 11 starters pick themselves.
(2) By the by, I think the US team in the Toulon tourney was more like a "C Team." Here's a starting 11 that didn't go to Toulon, but also didn't make the Olympic cut, but that is (in my mind) better than the Toulon team at almost every position:

----Findley--Barrett----
---------Gaven----------
Flores-------------Zizzo
----------Dax-----------
Harrington----------Igwe
----Spector--Franklin---

[Brandon]

More than anything else posted in these comments, the one that hurts the most is from Ives doubting our Animal House knowledge.

As a 25 year old, I consider this an insult.

Ives, you can say what you want about us. But we are not going to stand here and let you bad mouth the United States of America! Gentlemen!

[Nick]

Am I crazy or was Johnathan De Guzman playing for Canada at one point? Please enlighten me on this one.

[Adam]

Time to Go For Broke fellas! There is some old school American optimism...

[Nic D "The Texas 2 Stepper"]

"I'm 20. When I was little, my dad sat me down and let me watch animal house with him, haha."

I'm 27, watched with my Big Brother! Great times!

By the way, there is no way Hitler bombed Pearl Harbor! He was clearly occupied with Micro Soft support!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfkDxF2kn1I

[Nic D "The Texas 2 Stepper"]

DeGuzman's older brother bleeds "Maple Syrup".

But the younger grew apart from his country (read: the Canadian Soccer Association) while training, playing and living abroad.

Check BIGSOCCER. Beware,if you say the wrong thing in there, the Canucks will slaughter you with a Moose Jaw!

[NPD]

The time has come for someone to put his foot down on the Netherlands. And that foot is Team USA...

Allnats. That line was hilarious.

[Matt]

I always love when people quote that line from Animal House and THEN forget that the next line is "Germans?" Dave, I'm with you.

Typically exhange is:

First dude: "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

Second dude: "Germans?"

First dude: No, you don't get it, it's a line from Animal House.

Second dude: I know you idiot, the next line is "Germans?"

[bryan]

drenthe is not a defender, where did you hear that?! de Guzman has a brother who plays for Canada. he is the one who got taken out by Bocanegra at the Gold Cup. this de Guzman decided to play for the Dutch.

nigeria will be a solid team, but like we shouldnt underrate them, dont overrate them (which it seems a lot are doing). japan will also be a strong team. but i wouldnt say they are that much stronger than the USA. i think we can do well.

[rocky]

I think this is going to be a great group, teams are going to have to really bring it defensivly to stop us. Its a given that Jozy and mcbride are going to start up front with Freddy playing the # 10 role. That is some serious talent and power. I would like to see sacha and robbie rogers play the outside midfield roles. i cant wait

[Bobo]

That Dutch team is on a whole other level in terms of talent. So are quite a few others in the competition.

And call me crazy, but I don't think it'll take a Nesta to stop the US attack. These same guys that were moaning about it a year ago are now convinced that it's the best at the tournament. Give me a flippin' break.

[Jonesta]

for all the naysayers in here the US team stacks up very well against all of these teams, including the Dutch. Maybe you don't know but Michael Bradley tore the scoring up from a recessed midfield position in the Dutch league playing against almost every player on there roster and he isn't the best player we have sent. That being said this is soccer and with these teams all being fairly even the US could still go out strong and lose every game, but I just don't see that happening.

Also in reference to the comment about us 18-20 somethings not knowing their Animal House, you can't group us all because of one person who happened to post first who didn't get it. I have a Belushi poster wearing his College shirt in my apartment, and is Fawn Libowitz here?

[Jay]

For what it's worth, Nigerian captain Isaac Promise was an awesome player for my FIFA 2007 dynasty (he and Jay Demerit led Ipswich Town to 3 Champion's League titles). He'll probably be pretty good, he tried out for Chelsea at the same time as John Obi Mikel. But the US really should advance, as long as the defense holds up.

[gmjhb xcupoa]

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