Top Kits Of The World Cup

One last kit post before we get back to our regularly scheduled Rapids coverage.  Going to break this down into top kits by confederation plus a couple of additional categories before doing a top X overall.

Top Kit - Oceania - New Zealand Away

With only one team, the choices were limited.  I almost went with the goalkeeper kit but that felt like cheating a bit.  The white looked better than the dark,

Top Kit - AFC - Australia Away

Yeah, I forgot Australia is Asian in FIFA terms sometimes too.  I really like the two tones of this one. A woman I work with is Australian and wore one of these to the office on game day and it looks even better in person.

Top Kit - AFC - Sportswashing Division - Saudi Arabia Home

If it weren't for what it represents this would be one of the top kits of the tournament for me.  I love the green and purple color combo with the tiled motif.  But I will not be supporting Saudi Arabia in any format.

Top Kit - UEFA - Norway Home

This is the kit I've been trying to track down with no luck, waiting too long to try to get it.  A simple design of the flag that comes off very bold.  Even with my Swedish heritage I'd be happy to have this one in the collection.

Top Kit(s) - CAF - Ivory Coast Away

I couldn't choose between my top two CAF kits so you get them both.  First the Ivory Coast away kit with this great pattern of local flora and fauna.  For a long time west Africa has had some of the great tournament kits, I have two different Cameroon ones from the 2010's.  This continues that run.

AND

DR Congo Home

The colors of this kit really work together (even the yellow badge) and the zebra pattern gives a unique spin on the kit.  One of the kits we wouldn't have seen without the expansion to 48.  Also what the team ahs been doing to try to bring visibility to the issues in their country is important.

Top Kit -  CONMEBOL - Paraguay Away

This one surprised me as I didn't pick it out as a highlight during the kit releases.  Seeing it on the field, first against the U.S. but also later in the tournament and I was taken with how good it looked.  I like the way the white badge pops against the blues and blacks, one of the times changing the logo works.

Top Kit - CONCACAF - Haiti Home

This is the original kit before FIFA forced them to remove their freedom fighters from the kit.  Its an important nod to Haiti's history and given everything else FIFA has allowed not allowing this is another example of their double standards.  IT was a tough call between this and the third kit, which is the same design on red, but the collar works better here.

Top Kit - CONCACAF - Rivalry Division - Mexico Home

I mean, come on, that's a top-tier kit.  But its Mexico so this is the only time I'll ever admit that.

So after that, my top five overall:

Norway Home

DR Congo Home

Paraguay Away

Haiti Home

Ivory Coast Away

At different times during the tournament I've looked at buying all of those, but haven't yet pulled the trigger on any of them yet.

No World Cup For Denver

Coming as no surprise to many (including myself) Denver was not selected as a host city for World Cup 2026.  The closest city selected was Kansas City, along with Dallas and Houston.  Its been obvious for a while, IMO, that Denver didn't put on a full-court press to get the World Cup and it cost them.  There was no visible evidence of the bid in Denver, unlike most cities bidding, there was no excitement over the announcement, and in general it feels like it was a paper bid to make some people look good with nothing behind it to really land some games.  This feels like a pretty big missed opportunity by the city.

To be clear, KSE was not responsible for leading the bid (though they did donate a large sum to help the process) and when you look at other cities selected the current state of their MLS team obviously wasn't a factor.  It seems like other things like altitude and a rumored very poor FIFA visit last year is what cost us.  I'm sure the events during the Nations League finals last summer didn't help, but a good bid committee could have overcome those.

Now we just have to hope that some teams will want to use the Denver area as a training camp before the Cup or a home base during the competition.  Maybe we'll get an interesting friendly or two in the lead up.

Still Stunned

24 hours later and I'm still stunned at what happened in World Cup Qualifying last night.  I had no thought that the 4th, 5th, and 6th placed teams would all win.  I figured the absolute worst case was that we'd stumble and either Panama or Honduras would pull a major upset and we'd have to beat the Aussies for our trip too Russia.  More likely I figured we'd play a boring draw and just squeak into the 3rd spot.

There's a lot of hot takes out there right now about who to blame and what the U.S. should do next.  Personally, I think the players take the majority of the blame for only playing a complete game about 3 times in the 10 game hex.  Last night, especially in the first half, we looked like a team that assumed we were going to Russia and didn't have to make an effort.  Outside of Pulisic and maybe Yedlin I don't think anyone on that field deserves to continue as a Nats member, and that includes Howard.

As for what we do from here, I don't know.  There is no easy answer.  Pundits have talked about what Germany did after their failures in 1998 and 2000 and I think the general idea is the right one.  The USSF, MLS, the USL (I'd say the NASL but they're going to be out of business in a few months) and the USSDA need to get together, figure out what the long-term plan is, and all commit to that plan.  That will require some give and take from all parties, and most likely new leadership at the USSF, but its time to examine everything in the U.S. soccer sphere, from the Nats to the Rapids Academy.

Next June/July is going to be very different for American fans.  For the first time in most of our lifetimes, or at least in the part of our lifetimes when we've been soccer fans, the Yanks won't be at the World Cup.  I'm going to be watching the UEFA playoffs next month to see if either of my ancestral sides, Ireland and Sweden, get through to Russia.  If they're both eliminated I'm not sure who I'll back next year, maybe Colombia.

World cup Qualifying Wrap-Up

A quick recap on World Cup qualifying before moving back to club action.  After a lethargic first half in Commerce City on Thursday the U.S. put together 3 consecutive great halves to claim 4 points and all but assure themselves of a trip to Russia.

It was the Pulisic show in the second half on Thursday as he scored twice in leading the U.S. to a 2-0 victory against T&T.  That's now 3 straight wins for the Nats in DSG Park and they're 6-0-0 when I see them in person (3 of those were friendlies).

Last night Michael Bradley scored a goal we'll be watching 30 years from now.  Intercepting a poor Mexican pass at midifeld he took a touch, looked up, and from 40 yards chipped the keeper for a 1-0 lead for the U.S. in the 6th minute.  The Americans could only hold the lead for 17 minutes though (which still almost doubled their total time leading at the Azteca) as a Yanks attack turned into an El Tri counter.  Run DMB, still starting at the ripe age of 35, did the right thing and turned his man into the center of the field where 3 center backs should have been waiting for him but instead ll 3 felt Chicharito was the greater danger and Mexico leveled at 1-0.  That would turn out to be Mexico's only shot on goal in the game.  This was the least dangerous Mexico has ever been at the Azteca against the U.S.

With the 4 points the Yanks are currently in 3rd place in the Hex, though should Panama beat Honduras tomorrow night (likely) they'll pass the U.S.  Regardless the Red, White, and Blue are in good shape for Russia, with a moderately tough home game against Costa Rica in September and the 3 games they should be expected to win in Honduras, Panama at home, and finishing in Trindad.  That shouldn't trouble the Nats at all and it should be clear sailing to Russia next year.

Sun Clasico Tomorrow

4 years ago we had Costa Rica and the Snow Clasico.  Tomorrow night we'll have Trinidad & Tobago and apparently the Sun Clasico with temps in the mid 80s at kickoff.

Kickoff is at 5:50pm on FOX Sports 1, with the pregame being broadcast live from inside the stadium.  Both the official U.S. Soccer events and the American Outlaws tailgate will start at 2.  The official events will be in the VIP East lot,, across the main drive from the normal C38 tailgate lot.  The Outlaws tailgate will be further East in Lot D and there's some overlap between the AO Denver and the C38 tailgate crew so you should have a good idea what to expect.

There's also a pop-up U.S. Soccer store on the 16th St. Mall at 16th & California that will be open until 8pm tonight and from 9am to kickoff tomorrow.  US Soccer will also have gear for sale both at their pre-game events in the parking lot and of course in the stadium.  The website shows red and navy hats and scarves made specifically for this game, I bought the navy scarf yesterday at the 16th St. Mall store (which didn't have the red scarf).  There will also be a ton of non-game specific gear.

Tim Howard has been named the starter in net so Rapids fans will have one of their own to root for.  Mikeil Williams is on the T&T team but I doubt many Rapids fans will give him more than cursory applause if he plays tomorrow.  This is a game the US should win and I expect they will.  The Yanks are clearly better than the Soca Warriors and being at home should make this somewhat easy (as easy as any World Cup Qualifier gets).

DSG Park To Host USA-T&T World Cup Qualifier

After being long-rumored the USSF made it official today.  DSG Park will host the 5th round World Cup Qualifier between the U.S. and Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday June 8th.  Kickoff will be at 5:50pm.  This will be a long trip for Mekeil Williams who will have to walk to the visitor locker room instead of the Rapids locker room.  Tim Howard just gets to show up like its a normal day of work. :D

This game is on Thursday and not Friday because Round 6 game where the U.S. will go to the Azteca to face Mexico is on the following Sunday to allow Mexico to travel to the Confederations Cup that starts on June 17th in Russia.  The other two Round 6 games will take place on Tuesday June 13th like normal.

 Of course the last time the Nats were in Denver was the now-famous Snow Clasico in March of 2013.  Unlike the 30,000 other  people who in 20 years will claim they were there, I was actually there in section 108.  I have every intention of being at this one as well.

Ticket prices have not been announced yet but the presale for American Outlaws members will be on Wednesday while Rapids season ticket holders will have a presale on Thursday.  Tickets that are left at that point will go on sale to the general public at 10am Friday morning.

EDIT: General public sale is 10am Friday the 14th, not the 7th.

World Cup - Complete

Germany: 1 - Argentina: 0 AET
And with that goal Germany are deserved World Cup champions.  Messi had a couple of chances, as did Higuain, but couldn't convert.  In a World Cup that was dominated by the Americas early on, a European team won their first World Cup in the Americas.  This is the fourth World Cup for Germany, but really the first for a united Germany as the first three were won by West Germany.  A 1-0 loss by the U.S. to Germany doesn't look so bad now either.  ;)

Final standings based on round of elimination, then points, then goal differential, then goals scored:
Germany
Argentina
Netherlands
Brazil
Costa Rica
Colombia
France
Belgium
Chile
Greece
Mexico
Algeria
United States
Switzerland
Uruguay
Nigeria
Ecuador
Portugal
Croatia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cote D'Ivoire
Italy
Spain
Russia
Ghana
England
Korea Republic
Iran
Japan
Australia
Honduras
Cameroon

Third Place Game - Complete

Netherlands: 3 - Brazil: 0
Not much to say about this one.  Brazil still looked stunned from their game against Germany and the Dutch took advantage.  At least the Dutch figured out how to score from the run of play after two 120 minute scoreless games that went to PKs.  Brazil was outscored 10-1 in their last two games and set all kinds of records they would rather not have.  Shockingly Brazil will have to go into rebuilding mode.

Semifinals - Complete

Germany: 7 - Brazil: 1
Wow.  I'm still not sure I saw what I saw.  Germany ripped Brazil to shreds with 4 goals in 6 minutes.  At times the goals looked like a German player playing a video game against a weak CPU team controlling the Brazilians.  Complete domination.

Argentina: 0 (4) - Netherlands: 0 (2)
Two contrasting games.  This one might have set the sport back 20 years.  Two teams playing not to lose and boring everyone to death.

3rd Place Game:
Brazil - Netherlands - Who knows.  Neither of these teams looked particularly inspired in the semifinals.  I;m going to say Brazil as they redeem a bit of their pride and end with a win.

Final:
Germany - Argentina
Before the tournament started I had Argentina losing the final and I think I'm going to get that prediction correct.  OK, I had them losing to Brazil and not Germany, but I get 50%.  ;)  Messi can change a game in an instant but Germany just looks too good.

Quarterfinals - Complete

Germany: 1 - France: 0
Zzzzzzz....  Germany got the goal they needed early and forced France to beat them, which they couldn't do.

Brazil: 2 - Colombia: 1
The ref lost complete control of this one, to Brazil's general advantage though Neymar paid the highest price.  That injury doesn't happen IMO if the ref cracks down on the hard tackles early.  I'm not sure the result is different with a different ref but at least its a real game of soccer.  Well, Brazil has the excuse they need now as the way they've been playing they weren't going to win it all.

Argentina: 1 - Belgium: 0
Where was this Belgium side on Tuesday?  This Belgium side we might have beat.  I'm surprised Argentina never found a second but based on their play I think their the favorite right now.

Netherlands: 0 (4) - Costa Rica: 0 (3)
The Ticos went out with heads held high in this one.  They've earned everyone's respect.  And they added to the legend of CONCACAF goalkeeping at this World Cup, if the Best XI goalkeeper isn't from CONCACF it will be a travesty.  Louis van Gaal's gamble of switching keepers paid off in the shootout.

Semifinals:
Germany - Brazil - A weakened Brazil side won't hold up to Germany and the hopes of putting 1950 to rest will be dashed.

Argentina - Netherlands - Messi will lead the Argentines to the World Cup final and take his place along-side Maradona in the fan's eyes.

Round Of 16 - Complete

PaySimple today in the 1st half

France: 2 - Nigeria: 0

One of the more solid performances in the Round of 16 by France.  It took them until the last 15 or so to score but you could tell the goal was coming eventually.

Germany: 2 - Algeria: 1

Germany could have saved itself 30 minutes of play if it had scored 90 seconds before the start of extra time instead of 90 seconds after.  And then when they thought they had the game put away Algeria came back with a goal to make it interesting.  Hat tip to Algeria for going toe-to-toe with Germany and almost forcing penalty kicks.  A better performance than anyone expected.

Argentina: 1 - Switzerland: 0

Messi and company left it very late (end of extra time) but got the job done as expected.  The Swiss put up a good fight but it only take a minute for Messi to break your heart.

Belgium: 2 - United States: 1

Ouch.  I predicted the U.S. would keep it close but lose, and that's what they did.  Belgium was clearly the better team but Howard set a World Cup record for saves and kept us in the game and Wondolowski had a chance to win it at the death only to shank it.  What a way to get yourself cap-tied though Green.  first career touch in the World Cup is a goal?  Nicely done.

Quarterfinals:

Germany - France - Hmm, you think these two teams have some history?  Germany gets the win but France pushes them to the end.

Argentina - Belgium - Argentina gets an outmatched Belgium team and what should be a somewhat easy path to the semifinals.

USA - Belgium Round 2

That's American striker Bert Patenaude in white in the fourth ever World Cup game in 1930 with Belgium in the dark uniforms.  The U.S. would win 3-0 and in the next game Patenaude would score the first ever World Cup hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Paraguay.

Tomorrow will probably not be so easy for the Red, White, and Blue as it was 84 years ago.  Belgium has been a great team in recent years and has beaten the USA the last two times we played, both friendlies.  That said they didn't appear dominant in the group stage in a weak group with Algeria, Russia, and South Korea so there may be some weakness the Yanks can take advantage of.  Combined with that they're a beat up squad with upwards of five injuries and a player missing to red card suspension.  The U.S. is hurting as well with a pair of broken noses (Dempsey and Jones) and Altidore's hamstring, though the USSF has announced that Altidore will be available tomorrow, but who knows for how long and how much of that is trying to game the Belgians.

While I feel like the U.S. can win, my prediction is that they'll lose a tight game.  A 1-0 loss wouldn't surprise me.  Unless we can figure out how to keep possession and force Belgium to chase the game we won't be able to hold them off.  However if we can force them to chase then the weather and our fitness work to our advantage and we could slip in a late winner.

Round Of 16 - Midpoint

Brazil 1 (3) - Chile 1 (2)
The home team struggled much more than they should have in this one.  Chile put up a good fight and almost won it was a shot off the crossbar in the 120th minute, but Julio Cesar was up to the task of PKs.

Colombia: 2 - Uruguay: 0
Its James Rodriguez's world and we're just living in it.  Great game from him and the rest of his Colombian team.  Uruguay had no teeth after Luis Suarez's suspension and the result was never really in doubt.

Netherlands 2 - Mexico 1
El Tri chokes again in the Round of 16.  The PK late was a foul but Robben should have also got a card for embellishment.  Its really their own fault though, sitting back to absorb Dutch pressure for 30+ mintues was never going to work.

Costa Rica 1 (5) - Greece 1 (3)
This was a dull, dull game.  Costa Rica got through for CONCACAF but there wasn't much to be excited about.

Quarterfinals:
Brazil - Colombia - I think Colombia pulls off the upset here, unless Brazil finds another gear.  This is the first really good team the hosts have faced in this World Cup.  Should be a great game.

Netherlands - Costa Rica - The Cinderella run ends here for the Ticos.  The Dutch are too good for Costa Rica to over come, but they'll make it entertaining.

Groups G & H Completed

Group G:
Germany: 7 +5
United States: 4 0
Portugal: 4 -3
Ghana: 1 -2

My Picks: Germany, United States

USA! USA! USA!  There was a nervous 25 minutes in the second half after the U.S. went down 1-0 and Ghana leveled the score but Ronaldo made up for crushing the U.S.'s hopes on Sunday by scoring the winning goal and sending the U.S. through despite the loss.  The group went almost exactly as I expected, German and U.S. wins on the first match day, draws on the second matchday (I expected Germany to beat Ghana), and a Germany and Portugal win on the last matchday with second place being decided by goal differential between the U.S. and Portugal.  Thanks for being an idiot Pepe.

Group H:
Belgium: 9 +3
Algeria: 4 +1
Russia: 2 -1
South Korea: 1 -3

My Picks: Belgium, Russia

As expected Belgium easily handled this group.  The surprise was how well Algeria did.  The draw today put them through to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history and sent high-priced Fabio Capello and the Russians home.  South Korea finished out a horrible tournament for Asia, eliminating all 4 teams in the group stage with a record of 0-3-9 and a -16 goal differential.

Round of 16 matchups:
Germany - Algeria - Algeria wants revenge for the 1982 West Germany farce but they won't get it.  Germany easily.
Belgium - United States - Too early to call.  ;) I need to see how things go in the next few days.  But I will make a prediction Monday night.

USA - Germany Round 3

In 1998 the U.S. was in the same group as Germany and lost 2-0 on their road to the 3-6-1 disaster that was 1998,  In 2002 they faced Germany and lost 1-0 on a Torsten Frings handball (see above).  Tomorrow they face Germany with advancement and first place in the Group of Death on the line.  The good news is that we're getting closer with each game and if the trend continues we should be in line for a 0-0 draw.  :D

In reality this game could go two different ways.  The way we all hope it goes is that both teams come out conservative, test each other, decide its not worth injury, exhaustion, or suspension, and settle for the draw that lets Germany win the group and the U.S. advance.  The other way is that Germany feels like it needs to reestablish its dominance in the group after the draw with Ghana and comes out attacking in order to get the win and the 3 points leaving the U.S. hoping the result of the Portugal-Ghana game goes their way.

I'm not worried about the travel or heat, and I'm not really worried about the U.S. being broken after the late equalizer from Portugal.  Under a different coach maybe but one thing JK seems to be able to do is get the team focused when its necessary.  I am worried that we aren't as good as a determined German team.  If Loew wants to prove a point to Jurgen, or Germany fees like it needs the win, or if they're just feeling particularly good tomorrow we're in trouble.  We can get a draw in that scenario but we wouldn't be favored to.  If Germany is happy with a draw though it will be all smooth sailing tomorrow.

I think we better hope Germany is satisfied with the draw.  Unless their last-second equalizer that kept them alive wakes up Portugal I think Ghana beats them.  So far they've been the better team and their style is one that could tear Portugal apart.  With luck Portugal keeps it to a 1 goal game in a low-scoring affair and Ghana loses the tiebreakers but that's a lot of ifs.

Groups C, D, E & F Completed

Group C:
Colombia: 9 +7
Greece: 4 -2
Ivory Coast: 3 -1
Japan: 1 -4

My Picks: Colombia, Ivory Coast

Talk about going down to the wire.  A last second PK (maybe soft, but legit) puts Greece through and eliminates the Ivory Coast.  They really had no business being in a position where 1 goal could eliminate them, they're a better team than that.  Not surprisingly they actually have a better goal differential than Greece but in the end they couldn't get the job done.  I'm surprised how poor of a tournament Japan had, but all the Asian teams seem to be having a bad tournament.

Group D:
Costa Rica: 7 +3
Uruguay: 6 0
Italy: 3 -1
England: 1 -2

My Picks: Uruguay, Italy

Well I got the ranking of the 3 former champions exactly right.  I just didn't see Costa Rica running wild over the group.  Great tournament already for the Ticos and they have a good chance at making the quarterfinals.  England failed, again, and Italy missed the knockout rounds by the skin of their teeth. :D

Round of 16 matchups:
Colombia - Uruguay - Colombia looks like one of the strongest teams in the tournament and Uruguay will certainly be without their bet player.  Colombia easily.
Costa Rica - Greece - Anyone who says they had this matchup in their round of 16 is lying, nobody saw this coming.  Costa Rica is the better team and will carry the CONCACAF flag into the quarterfinals.

Group E:
France: 7 +6
Switzerland: 6 +1
Ecuador: 4 0
Honduras: 0 -7

My Picks: Switzerland, France

Right teams, wrong order.  I didn't see Switzerland and Ecuador tying, which was the difference.  Honduras is the only team in the Americas not to get a win but that's not a surprise.  Ecuador and Honduras are the only teams from the Americas so far not to make the knockout rounds.  The only other team that isn't trough yet is the U.S.. *gulp*

Group F:
Argentina: 9 +3
Nigeria: 4 0
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 3 0
Iran: 1 -3

My Picks: Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina

As expected Argentina ran away with this group.  Nigeria showed they were better than first appearances but they made it a close race with Bosnia.  Nigeria is the first African team to qualify for the knockout rounds this tournament while Iran makes it 0 for 3 for Asian teams.

Round of 16 matchups:
France - Nigeria - This could be a good game but I think France has enough quality to handle Nigeria.
Argentina - Switzerland - Argentina will make it through to the quarterfinals without too much worry.

Groups A & B Completed

Group A:
Brazil: 7 +5
Mexico: 7 +3
Croatia: 3 0
Cameroon: 0 -8

My Picks: Brazil, Croatia

As expected Brazil won this group but surprisingly Mexico pushed them right to the edge.  This isn't the same Mexico team we saw last year.  Mexico, de nada.  Croatia had a disappointing tournament, they had to expect to get more than 3 points out of this set of teams.  Cameroon had a disaster of a World Cup, they've got to figure out how to play as a team.  Their lineup selection didn't help either.

Group BL
Netherlands: 9
Chile: 6
Spain: 3
Australia: 0

My Picks: Spain, Chile

I got Chile right and I knew one of the European teams would win the group I just missed badly on which one.  The Spanish team that had run over everyone (except the U.S. at the 2009 Confederations Cup ;) ) finally reached the end of its line and the Netherlands look like the best team in the tournament.  Australia was never going to get anything out of this group.

Round of 16 matchups:
Brazil vs. Chile - Brazil will win this but not without a lot of work against a strong Chile team.
Netherlands vs. Mexico - Mexico has looked good, but not anywhere near as good as the Dutch.  The Netherlands easily.

Groups G & H After Two Rounds

Group G:
Germany: 4 +4
USA: 4 +1
Ghana: 1 -1
Portugal: 1 -4

My Picks: Germany, USA

Well as crushing as that Portuguese goal was the U.S. is still favored to advance along with Germany.  Germany will almost certainly win the group, the question will be will they be satisfied with a draw or will they want to make a statement against their former coach and the German-Americans on the U.S.'s team?  The Ghana-Portugal game will be wide-open as Portugal knows it needs to win big to win a tiebreaker.

Group H:
Belgium: 6 +2
Algeria: 3 +1
Russia: 1 -1
South Korea: 1 -2

My Picks: Belgium Russia

Belgium has advanced already and just needs a draw with South Korea to win the group.  South Korea still has a slight chance but they need to make up goal differential and get the right result in the other game.  Algeria sits well after their big win today but needs to finish the job while Russia needs a win and South Korea not to run up the score on Belgium.

U.S. Advancement Scenarios

I don't want to talk about the game other than to say that Bradley has played his two worst games in a U.S. uniform in years and cost us advancement tonight.

Here's how the U.S. can advance:

• Beat Germany - They would win the group
• Draw with Germany - They would finish second in the group
• Lose to Germany - They advance in second in all of these scenarios
• Portugal - Ghana draw
• Portugal win and the goal difference in the two games is less than 5 combined
• Portugal win, 5 goal differential exactly, and Portugal doesn't outscore the U.S. by more than 1
• Ghana win, both games are 1 goal games, and Ghana doesn't outscore the U.S. by more than 1

The horror scenario is a Ghana and Germany win, that's the most likely scenario for the U.S. not to advance.  If the U.S. can't get a point then they need to be rooting for Portugal to keep it close with Ghana.

Oh, and if the U.S. loses 3-1 and Portugal wins 3-0 it would be a random draw of lots between the U.S. and Portugal to see who advances.

USA - Portugal Round 2

Off to the rain forest tomorrow for the second of the U.S.'s matches.  Ronaldo and the Portuguese await looking to revenge their loss in South Korea during the 2002 World Cup.  The good news is that's there's not much at stake for the Yanks, just clinching a spot in the knockout rounds with a win.

Today's draw between Germany and Ghana didn't help the U.S. much.  The good news is that due to it, they can clinch with a win tomorrow.  The bad news is that with a draw tomorrow Ghana is still alive and could pass the U.S. with a win over Portugal combined with the U.S. losing to Germany.  The draw also keeps the Germans from automatically qualifying before their game with the U.S., so they'll be coming in looking for a result in that last game.

Portugal is down defenders Pepe (due to his idiotic red card) and Coentrao (injury) along with forward Almeida (injury).  It also appears that Ronaldo will not be 100% but who knows if Portugal is maybe playing games with that injury.  Rui Patricio (GK) and Bruno Alves (defender) have also sustained knocks and their status is unknown.  If the U.S. was healthy I'd really like our chances, but we all know about Jozy being ruled out for this one (and probably the whole World Cup), Dempsey's broken nose, and the fact that Cameron, Bedoya, and Besler all grabbed hamstrings during the Ghana game so the U.S. is hardly indestructible Captain Americas.

I think the U.S. should get at least a draw tomorrow though, and a win wouldn't be a shock.  Portugal looked horrible against Germany and we just saw Germany struggle with Ghana.  I'm not suggesting U.S. > Ghana = Germany > Portugal, that's too simplistic, but it does appear that Portugal has had the weakest performance so far in Group G and now they're missing more players.  If everyone but Jozy is healthy enough to play then the U.S. will be in better shape.  The key will be Michael Bradley.  He has to play better than that performance Monday night and help the team keep possession in midfield.  That will reduce the pressure on Johannsson/Wondo/Diskerud, whichever one starts for the injured Altidore, and be able to keep the ball away from Ronaldo and Nani.

The last factor is the travel and weather.  This better not be an issue for the U.S.  Weather reports tomorrow are similar to Houston and with more than half the team having played multiple season in MLS, a long trip to hot and humid Houston is par for the course.  That should give the U.S. the advantage late in the game as the Portuguese will hopefully start to wilt in the rain forest environment.

This team has an ability to focus under JK when the chips are on the table and I think that we see that again tomorrow as they pull off a point, and if the breaks go our way (not the type of break Dempsey got on Monday though) we can get 3 points and a spot in the knockout rounds.