USA in group with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana for the World Cup.

German Guy wrote:

Not so fast.

The Germany game is the third and last game.

If Germany wins its first two games, they don't need to win the third to advance.

Klinsmann and Loew are buddies.

They're probably not going to want to lose if it means not topping the group though. (and Germany's second string would still outclass the USA)

That's absolutely right. Our total rankings are easily the lowest, followed by group D. Now, Brazil playing at home has to be the favorite to win it all. Then the other semifinalists figure to come from Italy, Germany, Spain, and Argentina.

The U.S. got a tough group once again, despite a very fine qualifying and friendly period. Indeed, Mexico, a team that got in only because the U.S. helped them, has a better shot at the second round. But if the U.S. aspires to be a top squad, it has to be teams like Germany and Portugal at some time in the tournament. Germany has stopped the U.S. time and time again in the cup and it is time to beat them. Not bloody likely with that team but they do stand a shot at beating a Portugal team that has been weaker recently and a Ghana team that could very well be in disarray for some time or another at that time.

If Germany are already through before the third game, Löw will field some second-choice players who will be trying to prove something. Even a German B side will be favorites against the US and the Germans don't have a history of letting up once they are qualified, not recently anyway.

The US chance is to beat Portugal which is doable. Apart from Ronaldo they are a pretty ordinary team and not that well organized. If they lose to Germany in the first match and even get a red card or two like they often do, a composed and disciplined US team can definitely beat them.

But none of that matters if they can't beat Ghana.

Ghana has been a thorn in our side the last 2 world Cups.

I still can't understand why nobody can see that B is the toughest group by far.

We do realise that the Dutch are still a top side, yep?

Chile are also a better side than both Portugal and the USA.

That group is has only got such a high average ranking because Australia are the lowest ranked team in the competition and the FIFA rankings are widely regarded as a pointless waste of time.

You know that Italy and Holland are not in the top seed group because they stupidly played (and won) friendlies against rubbish teams and it dropped their average points per game down loads. That's how daft the ranking system is.

Yes, both B and D are tougher groups when you look at the top 3 but their lowest-ranked teams are a bit softer.

Wørd wrote:

Yes, both B and D are tougher groups when you look at the top 3 but their lowest-ranked teams are a bit softer.

But for a group to be labelled 'group of death' it implies that a side you really expect to go deep in the tournament is certain to go out.

B and D have that. G has one top side, one former top side that is struggling and two reasonable sides that could qualify from a easy group but most people would expect to be eliminated in the first round.

B has three sides with realistic prospects of the semi finals. D has two plus England who are currently hopeless, but you never know with them.

mcgato wrote:

Not sure how Brazil is as low as 10, nor how Greece is as high as 12.

FIFA rankings are heavily weighted towards official competitions. Since Brazil was automatically in the WC as host they did not play any qualifiers. Their opportunities for points this year were limited to friendlies (weighted very little) and Confederations Cup matches.

Chile have played some decent games of late but I think they're overrated. They might surprise but even with a more fortunate draw I would never have considered them "realistic" for the semis. Definitely a distant third in that group.

In group D I think all three big-name teams have significant weaknesses and it's probably the most unpredictable group. Italy are favorites but they don't travel well and are beatable. Uruguay are a bit like Portugal - dangerous strikers but defensively soft, very soft in fact. Pirlo's passes will open them up again and again, and so will Walcott's speed if he's fit. England always show up exhausted and beaten up because the Premier League is so tough and doesn't have a winter break, but they always manage to scrape through to the second round. All of them are gonna underestimate Costa Rica who I'd tip to get at least 2 points.

But all the time people are talking like the USA (star player Jozy Altidore) are somehow classed as a top team.

goal wrote:

Group A Winner and Runner up: Brazil and Mexico

Group B Winner and Runner up: Spain and Netherlands

Group C Winner and Runner up: Colombia and Ivory Coast

Group D Winner and Runner up: Italy and Uruguay

Group E Winner and Runner up: Switzerland and France

Group F Winner and Runner up: Argentina and Bosnia

Group G Winner and Runner up: Germany and Portugal

Group H Winner and Runner up: Belgium and Russia

Notes: Group D is the toughest group, followed by Group G. Argentina gets an easy walk to the round of 16. I feel sorry for the USA.

Mexico are sh\it these days. Croatia 2nd in group A.

England and Italy from group D.

Nigeria instead of Bosnia - they will choke.

Good World Cup for the European teams but I don't think the current Brazil team is beatable at home. Brazil-Germany final, Belgium to beat Argentina for 3rd.

trollism wrote:

But all the time people are talking like the USA (star player Jozy Altidore) are somehow classed as a top team.

That's normal. American sports fans always think they're good at everything because they're raised to believe that their own pro sports are "world championships". I can only support team USA if I stay away from the sports bars when they play. If I'm among Americans when they play I end up hoping they lose. In 2006 I went with an English friend to a sports bar in Chicago to root for the US against Italy and inside 15 mins we couldn't stand the ignorant idiots around us who didn't even know the rules and started rooting for Italy. This time I'll stay home for the US matches and support them. Then I'll go watch Mexico at a bar and root for their opponents.

Hate to say it, but I don't think we're gonna make it out of group play this summer.

LetsRun.com has written an analysis piece on the 2014 World Cup Draw:

World Cup Draw Analysis: Is There Any Hope for US and English Fans?

encoder of codes wrote:

it'scertainly not going to be easy. Beat Ghana, and get a draw in one of the other games and we've got a chance.

Seriously?

Ghana?

Ghana is no walkover. Them boys are physical but they also play good football.

Portugal is done.

MARK MY WORDS!

Our analysis of the draw is now up:

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2013/12/world-cup-draw-analysis-hope-us-english-fans/

trollism wrote:

They're probably not going to want to lose if it means not topping the group though. (and Germany's second string would still outclass the USA)

Agreed.

To be fair, the USA already beat the Germany B team in a friendly. Debate whether or not friendlies are important, but if you are a fringe call-up, they play to impress.

Germany probably has the 2nd most pressure on them(Brazil being first) in terms of result this WC. They aren't going to let teams walk over them. Losing to the former national coach and an inferior team prior to the knockout stages wouldn't be wise for confidence considering the German media will probably play up the Jogi vs Klinsi match.

I would be impressed if the we get 4 points, and that might be enough to move on.

stick with eharmony wrote:

shhhhhhhhhhhh do you hear that??

I do!

It's the sound of your two braincells colliding as you run.

Jefe in the CO wrote:

I've got us going 1-2-0, with the win coming against either Ghana or Portugal. Given this group, that would be more than enough to move on - likely because of goals for the tie breaker.

Has a team ever made it going 1-2? You do realize how hard that is to happen. I just looked and know it hasn't happened in the last 2 world cups.

To make it at 1-2. The following has to happen.

One team, presumably Germany, goes 3-0.

Then everyone else goes 1-2. So we beat Portugal but lose to Ghana? And Ghana beats us but loses to Portugal?

In soccer, 1-2-0 means 1 win, 2 draws.