will be later on today. We will learn who will fall into a 'Group of Death' or who will get a Golden Ticket ride so good that their nation will revolt if they don't make it to the elimination round. Also, this is a fantastic preview of the upcoming draw and you can get to know a little about each team. This graphics and background for this page is very well done. If you can't figure it out, scroll and the pictures will fade away into the top. To get the team info, click the + sign in the top right corner of each nation's picture. http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/4/5081552/world-cup-draw-2014
I'm pretty pissed off about the draw. Historically, Euro teams struggle in South America and South American teams have some issues in Europe. If there is any one team in my life from Europe that I thought could march right through a South American World Cup, it's this German team. They don't necessarily have a Messi, or Falcao or Saurez or perhaps even a Christiano Ronaldo.. HOWEVER, they have this huge group of guys (20 or so) who are just under that cusp. They are incredibly deep with playmakers and scorers. The US historically struggles with Ghana who is very good. Portugal has 2 or 3 of the world's best players including Christiano Ronaldo. That being said... yes we can. I think 3 ties gets out of the group. Portugal historically chokes away at least one game they have no business losing. They have business losing to Germany. I honestly think if we can just upset 1 of the 3, and play to tie the other 2, we can get to the knockout stage. A best case scenario would be for us to tie or beat Germany right off the bat. That will put the Germans on the war footing looking to get more points. They will get those points at the expense of Ghana or Portugal.
JOCO is most likely right, but I'm going to fly the 'Dream a little dream' kite a bit longer. Ghana is not unbeatable. They have been a thorn in the side of the United States, and it is a demon we need to cast out. We have the talent to play on the next level, more so than at any time in my life. We absolutely must beat Ghana. I think we can get out of the group drawing with them, but a win would just be huge here. Soccer is an aggregate sport on many levels. Sometimes, it's about more than today's game even though today's game means everything. If that makes any sense. Germany is going to come out looking to make a statement. They are ranked 2nd in the world and I very much doubt they are anything less than number 1. Portugal is the 5th ranked team in the world, and as you'll see against Germany, there is a big gap between 2 and 5. Portugal has one of the great players in the world but they have some serious issues on defense. Let's not forget, Portugal had to play a 'play in' series against Sweden winning 4-2 on aggregate just to qualify for the World Cup. Portugal is going to do everything in their power to try and tie Germany. This is their key game in the bracket. If the US beats Ghana, the Portugal game becomes the next crucial step. If Portugal loses to Germany, they are going to be desperate for points. The longer we can keep that game tied, the more likely it is that Portugal will settle for the tie and the points because their last game is against Ghana. Christiano Ronaldo is flat out world class. He's the reason they beat Sweden. Sweden, in my opinion, had a better team. Ronaldo has a bad habit of missing wide open goals and being too cute. If you can frustrate him, you can tie up Portugal for a draw. I honestly think they are way over ranked at #5. Also, again, I think they'll be glad to take a draw because they're banking on waxing Ghana. Thirdly, there is not a lot of love or compassion for Portugal in Germany. They will try to beat the US badly, just as they do everyone else. If they wind up in a close game though, you have to remember they'll most likely be sitting on 6 points and thinking about the next round. Germany has historically tied nobodies coasting in late game group stage. They'll get younger guys on the field. They'll toss their hat in the ring, but it won't hurt their feelings to tie the US and see a 1-0-2 US team move on ahead of a 1-1-1 Portugal. Strategically speaking, in Germany's eyes, that increases their chances to win in the knockout stage. It's right there. It all starts with Ghana.
on non-US notes: Group D is a blood bath. Italy, England, Costa Rica and Uruguay. If there aren't 3 red cards in this group, I'll be disappointed. In Group A, there's Brazil and a 3 way dog fight between Mexico, Cameroon and Croatia for the last spot. Not getting drilled by Brazil to screw yourself on GF/GA is the key in this group. Group B: This looks like Spain and Holland just trying to avoid upsets by a game Chile squad and Australia who is pretty much going to die. Group C: These are 4 really good teams that not a lot of people talk about. Columbia is stout and have possibly the best striker in the world with Falcao. Greece is just tough and gives everyone fits. Ivory Coast plays a tough brand of quality football and they have many very good players. Japan is a LOT better than people think. This will be a fun group. I can see everyone here losing one game. Colombia is the 1 team I can see going unbeaten here. Group E: Switzerland is the sex pick and the latest hipster Euro team that everyone loves. They're in a group with France, who is France and awfully good. Then you have Honduras who can beat just about anyone in the world at any given time. Ecuador is not bad either. Weird group here. Group F: Argentina, Argentina and Argentina. There's 3 other teams playing here (Iran, Nigeria as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina) but it's really all Argentina. Group H: Belgium is suppose to be really good. They always are though and that just never pans out on the big stage. South Korea, Russia and Algeria are all here as well. Russia is pretty good.
As always I'm looking forward to the games. I hope that they make it a capital offense to how a vuvuzela in one's possession. It looks pretty simple to me, beat Ghana and luck into a tie with Portugal and play tough D vs Germany and limit the differential.
I look forward to the games as well but the ice always melts in my glass watering down my crown & coke as I wait for someone to score....
One of the ways the NBA became so successful was that it marketed very well while MLB rested on their laurels. ESPN really is getting good at marketing soccer in this country and they're getting better each year. This chant has caught on over the years, but it started at the Naval Academy years ago. I've seen it at basketball games recently, but this has also become one of the backbone chants of Sam's Army. <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2uEpcfonkt4" frameborder="0"></iframe>