Posted on 06/22/2014 2:21:13 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
Today’s contest with Portugal is only the second match of the World Cup for the United States, but it is likely to be the Americans’ defining moment of this tournament. If the Americans win, they will qualify for the knockout round. Lose, and both Portugal and Ghana move ahead of the United States in the race for second place in Group G.
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A draw would be a strong result, as it would give the United States four points in the group. Four is the maximum number of points that either Portugal or Ghana could achieve after a draw in the U.S.-Portugal match. This means the United States could only be eliminated on tiebreakers. Because the first tiebreaker is goal difference, and Portugal’s goal difference is probably unsalvageable following its 4-0 drubbing by Germany, this would give the United States a huge advantage over Portugal.
But before American fans start counting out goal-difference scenarios, the United States needs to get a result against Portugal. It will not be easy, but fate and questionable decision-making have opened a door for an upset. Portuguese star left back Fabio Coentrao injured his thigh in the Germany match and has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup. Center back Pepe determined that a head butt would be a reasonable response to Thomas Müller exaggerating contact midway through the first half. For that he will be banned for today’s match. The Portuguese back line will thus be lacking its two best players, and their likely replacements, Ricardo Costa and Andre Almeida, are not of same quality. The United States should have opportunities to attack this weakened defense.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
USA!!!
2-1!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
2-2!
Portugal
Not a win but USA still has a chance to make it to the Round Of 16.
It now plays against Germany.
Need Ghana and Portugal to tie.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
What the ..
Its a good result.
Portugal couldn’t beat the US despite a strong first half.
And we’re tied with Germany in Group G.
Holy cow, what a game.
Maybe the US and Germany can make a little arrangement, like the Germans and Austrians did in 82.
A great game!
The US showed its mettle and would have clinched the Group G title if not for Portugal’s last minute comeback from the dead.
Now there’s Germany.
All they had to do was keep the ball in the corner.
To put things in perspective, the US is undefeated so far in this World Cup.
Germany has the best team in the world to be sure but we’ve shown we’re as good as they are.
Too many turnovers in the last four minutes for my liking.
Portugal needed to stay alive but they can only advance on tiebreaker scores.
They’re in last place behind Ghana.
How hard is it going to be for the USA to advance to the next stage.
The USA can advance on a win or a draw with Germany.
We can no worse than a draw.
If USA loses to Germany, we’ll probably have to go home.
If the US had won outright today, it would have been assured of being in the next round.
A big problem is that Germany will have had an extra day of rest, and the US will still be recovering from playing this match in the heat of Manaus.
Also Ghana will have that same advantage over Portugal.
So it’s very dicey for the US.
I was screaming at the tv for our guys to work a little harder at keeping the ball but no, they played prevent defense to their detriment....
Thanks for the replies...nothing is easy...
And actually if the US gets beat...I’ll be pulling for Germany.
Good team. BUT...so are we!
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