[discostu]

There’s a definitely chance. Germany really doesn’t care about this match, they’re advancing to the knockout round pretty much regardless (if they lose by a LOT they could be out, but that’s not going to happen). We advance on a draw or a win also, and could even advance on a loss if Portugal wins depending on margins. Now the winner of the group gets a better matchup in the first round, but that matchup isn’t really worth the risk, especially not for us, because both teams advance on a draw there’s a really good chance of both teams playing it safe. Especially if the field is bad, nobody wants star players hurt trying to win a game they didn’t need to.

[kabar]

Hope springs eternal. I hope for a good showing by the US win, lose, or draw. We have hit high water marks in the US on fan support. This could be a tipping point combined with the changing demographics. There are 45 million foreign born in this country.

Germany is still the prohibitive favorite. I went to the German-US game in DC, which the US won, 4-3. It was the German C team. The difference in talent is enormous. But miracles happen. I just hope for a close defeat and a narrow win by Portugal.

[goldstategop]

Half time - 0-0

USA holds off Germany.