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(SOCCER) How can the U.S. advance? We walk through the scenarios...all of them
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/22/2014-world-cup-united-states-fifa-usa-group-g-tiebreaker-scenarios-advance/ ^ | 6-22-14

Posted on 06/22/2014 7:51:33 PM PDT by doug from upland

How can the U.S. advance? We walk through the scenarios … All of them

The United States was seconds away from reaching the six-point plateau for the first time in the team’s group stage history, but thanks to Silvestre Valera’s 95th minute equalizer, a place in the knockout round is still slightly out of reach. Though the 2-2 draw leaves them tied atop Group G with Germany at the 2014 World Cup, the team may still need a result on Thursday to the second round.

Then again, they may not. If things break in the U.S.’s favor in the group’s finales, the team may already have enough points to make the final 16. Ahead of Thursday’s match against the Germans in Recife, here are the scenarios that will lead the U.S. out of Group G:

(Group standings, in points and goal difference: Germany, 4 pts., +4; United States, 4 pts. +1; Ghana, 1 pt., -1; Portugal, 1 pt., -4.)

If the United States beats Germany …

… they win Group G and face the second place team from Group H (currently Algeria).

If the United States draws with Germany …

… they finish second in Group G, behind the Germans. They’ll then face the winner of Group H (currently Belgium).

[ MORE: Valera equalizer stuns U.S. | Man of the Match rankings | Talking points ] [ MORE: Soccerly covers the World Cup ]

If the United States loses to Germany, the team still advance in second place if …

Warning: This is where it gets confusing.

1. Ghana and Portugal draw; or 2. Ghana beats Portugal (a) by only one goal, and (b) the U.S. loses by only one goal, and (c) Ghana doesn’t outscore the U.S. by two or more goals on the day; or 3. Portugal beats Ghana and fails to make up the five-goal gap in difference (see more, below).

Thanks to Portugal’s lopsided loss to Germany, the U.S. has a huge edge in that first, goal difference tiebreaker. Portugal would either have to blow out Ghana or benefit from the Germans routing the U.S.

Here are the scenarios — all of them — some of which involve the word “lots”:

If Germany beats the U.S. by five or more, Portugal only needs to beat Ghana to advance. If Germany wins by four, Portugal advances if they beat Ghana at least two. If they win by one, Portugal can still advance if they end up with more total goals than the U.S. The Americans currently have four. Portugal has two. If the teams end up with the same number of goals, they’ll draw lots, leaving Group G’s second knockout round spot up to chance. If Germany wins by three, Portugal advances if they win by three or more. Win by two: Total goals, then lots. Win by only one? They’re out. If Germany wins by two, Portugal advanced if they win by four of more. Win by three: Goals and lots. Two or less: They’re done. If Germany wins by one, Portugal advances with a five-goal win. Four? Goals, lots. Three of fewer? Adeus. Confused yet? This might make it easier. Here are the FIFA tiebreakers:

1. Goal difference in all group stage matches 2. Goals scored in all group stage matches 3. Points in matches between the tied teams 4. Goal difference in matches between the tied teams 5. Goals scored in matches between the tied teams 6. Draw lots


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: notfootball; soccer; worldcup
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To: doug from upland

41 posted on 06/23/2014 6:46:59 AM PDT by Wyatt's Torch
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To: SoCal Pubbie

The rationale for that is, they want to encourage as much goal scoring as possible, which is why they relegate head-to-head to the third tiebreaker.

Interesting that the Premier League has Goal Differential as their first tiebreaker, but the Spanish La Liga does use Head-to-Head as their first tiebreaker.


42 posted on 06/23/2014 6:48:46 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

People can rationalize anything. Take Democrats, for example. And apparently Word Cup soccer organizers.


43 posted on 06/23/2014 7:01:12 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: dfwgator

Besides, I thought soccer was “The Beautiful Game,” where the intricate placement of players and deft ball handling to slowly gain sufficient advantage to score a goal wove a rich tapestry of athletic purity. Unlike the crass American sports like “Gridiron,” where the garishly ostentatious and unsustainable demonstrations of point scoring inequality rendered us “Ugly Americans.” What’s the big deal about goal scoring all of a sudden?


44 posted on 06/23/2014 7:07:55 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: cherry

The initial extra time or injury time is for example the 4m, but the referee can add time if in that injury time, as happens, the wining team starts deliberately timewasting or fakes injury to slow the losing team’s attempts to score. Its quite simple.


45 posted on 06/23/2014 11:37:57 AM PDT by the scotsman (UK)
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To: SVTCobra03

No, that’s baseball you’re thinking of.


46 posted on 06/23/2014 11:40:20 AM PDT by the scotsman (UK)
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To: doug from upland

I’m sure it was originally 4 minutes and they added a 5th.

Socialism is whimsical.


47 posted on 06/23/2014 3:25:36 PM PDT by Retired Greyhound
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To: wideawake

Looking forward to a soccer game filling up a 75,000 seat stadium on a weekly basis!


48 posted on 06/23/2014 9:00:18 PM PDT by BeadCounter
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To: SoCal Pubbie

You’re right, it’s just PR to call it the beautiful game. Yes, there are probably beautiful moments but that is well counterbalanced with poor officiating or what have you. Overall, this has been a very good World Cup.

It’s something how many Brits like American Football. It’s interesting too to hear someone use the phrase “Gridiron”, I am familiar with the term.

Good post.


49 posted on 06/23/2014 9:03:17 PM PDT by BeadCounter
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To: Retired Greyhound

I’ve just explained the very simple reason a soccer referee can add extra minutes in injury time. BTW, as I have also pointed out and explained why, soccer is in fact the most capitalist of sports.

Its far from socialist. And irony of ironies, its YOUR sports that are set up in a socialist fashion.


50 posted on 06/24/2014 6:49:24 AM PDT by the scotsman (UK)
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