On United States: What they need to do to beat Algeria.

United States have to win against Algeria. I know that they can tie, but in my book they have to win this game. They need a result, a three point result, going into the elimination rounds. Before I begin giving my keys to the Algeria game, a quick note on the call that denied Edu in the 86th minute: it's bullshit. I have never seen a more poorly officiated game, throughout, than United States v. Slovenia.

Now, here are my keys for a win against Algeria:

1. Better pressure on the ball, more organization in the back. I've seen one too many times in this tournament already the United States defense get split open as a result of defenders out of position, poor pressure on the ball, or just sloppy play from the defenders.

This starts in the midfield though, I know Michael Bradley got a goal and all, but the kid needs to put more pressure on the ball. He's letting practically everything get by him, and whoever is next to him, Clark or Torres, is doing just as bad of a job.

Also: DON'T CONCEDE A GOAL IN THE FIRST 30 MINUTES. For some reason, I don't know if it's just that it takes us Americans longer to wake up because of the time change, or what, but Americans traditionally get scored on early, and this tournament has shown that that can be the kiss of death in a game.

2. Herculez Gomez/Edu/Edson Buddle need to play well. Robbie Findley, a player I have been adamantly condemning, will be unable to play in this match because of a two yellow card suspension. This means that whichever of the three forwards Bradley chooses to start (hopefully Buddle or Gomez) needs to play well, not only so that they can establish confidence in their team, but so that Findley can stay on the bench where he belongs.

If Altidore has help up top from one of these three that he has desperately been lacking with the hapless Findley in the game, the U.S. could break this game open.

3. Control Ziani. Ziani has shown that he is the most creative player that the Algerians have, and he is very capable of causing some problems for the U.S. I don't know if they need to double him when he's on the ball or have someone like Cherundolo cover him the whole game, but we can't afford to leave this guy unmarked and we certainly can't afford to give him the ball 40 yards out with 10 yards of space in front of him. If that happens, close your eyes.

4. Team leaders need to keep it up. Donovan's goal in the Slovenia game was probably the biggest shot of adrenaline the U.S. could have hoped for, and it's evident in the TWO goals that they scored afterward (See what I did there?) mean that they are fired up. Donovan and other leaders like Bocanegra, Dempsey, and Howard need to keep up the intensity and the passion because that's what younger players like Altidore and Bradley are thriving on.

These are my keys for what the United States need to do to beat Algeria on Wednesday. Have some of your own? Comment!