Bocanegra shows respect to Slovenia

USA captain Carlos Bocanegra is adamant his team will not be
underestimating Slovenia just because they lack the Premier League
household names possessed by the Americans' last FIFA World Cup

opponents England.
The United States face the Alpine nation at
Ellis Park this afternoon knowing a win for Slovenia and for England
against Algeria in Cape Town this evening would leave qualification for
the knockout phase out of their hands. Former Fulham defender Bocanegra
was familiar with many of England's star names from his stint in the
Premier League but the man who is now with French club Rennes does not
doubt the quality in the Slovenia line-up.
Bocanegra said: "We
have some personal experience against these guys. A few play in Germany,
a few in France, just because they're not in the Premier League we're
still familiar with these guys. We are not going to take them lightly
just because some people might not know the names as well."
Bocanegra shows respect to Slovenia Quote

Bocanegra shows respect to Slovenia Quote

We are not going to take them (Slovenia) lightly just because
some people might not know the names as well.
Bocanegra shows respect to Slovenia Quote_reverse

USA
captain Carlos Bocanegra

USA coach Bob Bradley said his squad
were all in good shape for the Group C encounter, with goalkeeper Tim
Howard now recovered from the rib injury he suffered in a collision with
England forward Emile Heskey on Saturday. Three USA players - Steve
Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit and Robbie Findley - are a yellow card away from
a suspension.For Slovenia, coach Matjaz Kek is well aware his
team are in a position to secure a place in the knockout phase after
their opening win over Algeria in Polokwane and praised how far they had
come in a year. "A year ago we were making preparations for playing San
Marino, today we are thinking about the knockout stage in our second
match," he said."A great step has been taken and our squad has
achieved a great evolution. This is not the most important match in our
history but it is important and it can establish Slovenia on the global
map of football. I know we have the smallest population of all the teams
in the World Cup but we have not come here to rest, we are active
participants in this World Cup. A year back things were completely
different."Aleksandar Radosavljevic and Andrej Komac are one
yellow card away from being suspended for the final group match against
England. Inter Milan midfielder Rene Krhin has an ankle knock and
defender Marko Suler, who has struggled with injuries throughout the
season, has what Kek described as "a light difficulty" but he expects
both to be available for selection against the US.