Good points, as was evident the US couldn’t deal with Ghana’s pace in attack.

Onyewu didn’t start, I felt he was poor against England and just as poor against Slovenia, so they were right to continue with Bornstein at left back and Bocanegra in the centre. (unless Onyewu was going to score the winning goal, which we’ll now never know.)

With two deep lying midfielders, I can’t see a space for Holden in the side, especially with such talent out wide in Donovan and Demspey. However I would’ve like to see Donovan behind the striker, like you said

I do feel however that “racism” was too strong a word, never had I intended or even considered such a sentiment.

I’m going to focus on the US team here, since it’s the one I know best amongst the 4 teams mentioned here.

You’re right when you say that the American defence is shaky. Bradley faces a real dilemma whether to start Onyewu or not, for various reasons. OK, the team earned its first clean sheet of the World Cup with him on the bench, but there are a few factors to consider :

- Onyewu has delivered a stellar game against England and the problem against Slovenia might have been his fitness. He’s been injured most of the season and one can think that Bradley rested him for the Round of 16 game.

- Bornstein’s performance against Algeria was quite good, but he’s probably been the most controversial pick of the 23. The US lacks quality at the left-back position, and Bornstein has had a couple of terrible games with the US in the past few months. But his speed seems adapted to Ghana’s style.

- Whatever the US lineup is, Ghana’s speed will be the most important threat to the American defense. Algeria has shown that the Yanks are not comfortable defending on long balls, and all their options at the center back position are slow players (Onyewu, Bocanegra, Demerit, Goodson). This is something that has to be watched.

What defence would I pick? Tough choice but I’d go with Onyewu in central defence along with Demerit, and start Bocanegra as a left back. Expect Donovan to start on the lef of the midfield t to help cover Bocanegra. On the right, Cherundolo is a natural pick.

Now, as the 4 midfielders are normally known, let’s take a look at the attack. Bradley went for Findley in the first 2 games, with limited success. Findley is a very fast striker, and he enjoyed a great season in MLS with Salt Lake last year, but he is too limited for the international level. His touch is poor, and his finishing is average at best. The problem is, the other options have limited experience with the US national team. Gomez was out of the team’s radar 6 months ago, and blew a huge chance against Algeria. Buddle has never been so efficient in his whole career and scored twice in the last pre-World Cup friendly against Australia, but he hasn’t been used much since. I still consider him better than Findley.

The lack of quality in terms of finishing up front cannot entirely be solved by Altidore. He works a lot for the team, draws fouls, creates space and chances, and can be really threatening when he accelerates, but his touch in front of the goal is still unsufficient for the international level. One just has to check his statistics at Hul City last season to confirm this. But one day, he will solve his finishing problems, and this day, the US national team will have an excellentstriker to count on.

Once again, what would be my choice? I like to see Donovan in a deeper position, turning around Altidore. I’d go with Bolton’s Stuart Holden on the right of the midfield (good with the ball, excellent work rate and nice quality on crosses) and move either Donovan or Dempsey up front (even both, as they can switch position during the game)

(Gosh, that was a long comment)

Once again, what would I go for here?

African sides are known for their open and undisciplined football, little structure and organisation but a fun team to watch.

Though I know you don’t mean it that way that comment has more than a whiff of racism about it because you phrased it poorly.