Not an easy group for Germany. I think the American team is stronger than it used to be. Fortunately, Klinsmann is the USA coach - he's totally inept, so that should help. Interesting subplots - USA with the German Klinsmann, Ghana with the German Boateng (Boateng vs. Boateng) and Portugal with Ronaldo, who said before the draw that the ONE thing he wants to avoid...are ze Germans. I'm hoping to see this again:
True but the World Cup has a tendency to change the way some teams play. Some teams play just to get a point. I could imagine Chile scoring one goal and sitting on the ball as much as they can. The WC is just a different animal.
Group A A1 Brazil A2 Croatia A3 Mexico A4 Cameroon Group B B1 Spain B2 Netherlands B3 Chile B4 Australia Group C C1 Colombia C2 Greece C3 Cote D'ivoire C4 Japan Group D D1 Uruguay D2 Costa Rica D3 England D4 Italy Group E E1 Switzerland E2 Ecuador E3 France] E4 Honduras Group F F1 Argentina F2 Bosnia-Herzegovina F3 Iran F4 Nigeria Group G G1 Germany G2 Portugal G3 Ghana G4 USA Group H H1 Belgium H2 Algeria H3 Russia H4 Korea
Sure, but that's not what I want to hear literally 10 minutes after the draw. Behind closed doors, realism is fine, but I would have loved to hear him say, "We're a confident bunch, and part of the reason this is being the dubbed the Group of Death is because we're in it. We're going to try and do the country proud." Leave it at that. No reason to talk about realistic goals, and hopes of draws 6 months before the tournament has even begun.
US can beat Ghana. 2006 & 2010 were winnable games. Unfortunately, we (stupidly) gave the ball up that conceded both winning goals. We got this.
Question(s): You say the US team is stronger than it used to be. Why do you think that is? Do you think Klinnsman (who you claim to be 'inept') has played a vital role in the turnaround?
I honestly feel like the US has a worse team this time around compared to the last 2 World Cups. A lot of people (US fans) disagree. I just think the United States has too many holes, especially in the back and don't make up for it with anything special.
Group A A1 Brazil A2 Croatia A3 Mexico A4 Cameroon Group B B1 Spain B2 Netherlands B3 Chile B4 Australia Group C C1 Colombia C2 Greece C3 Cote D'ivoire C4 Japan Group D D1 Uruguay D2 Costa Rica D3 England D4 Italy Group E E1 Switzerland E2 Ecuador E3 France E4 Honduras Group F F1 Argentina F2 Bosnia-Herzegovina F3 Iran F4 Nigeria Group G G1 Germany G2 Portugal G3 Ghana G4 USA Group H H1 Belgium H2 Algeria H3 Russia H4 Korea Brasil wins it all.
While for most teams thats true, Chile's 2010 world cup is evidence that they'll go out against any team playing their gung-ho style. Even against Spain, up until one of the players was sent off, Chile was attacking. Their coach Jorge Sampaoli has said it numerous times, they won't change their style. Honestly, the US can get out of the group stages. Portugal, outside of Ronaldo, is an extremely average side. However, Ronaldo by himself just makes a team completely dangerous. Just have to pray that he's off that day. Germany will be a tough team, but Klinssman will know the opposition and hopefully adjust accordingly. And as for Ghana, the players have got the ultimate motivation behind them, it's their chance for their revenge.
Tough group for the USMNT but it can be done. Must solidify that back line, hope that good J. Jones shows up & Dempsey/Donovan can step it up for one last WC. At least I hope.
There is an issue with depth for the outside backs. I won't argue with that. But there's more talent in the pool now than there has ever been. Do you forget the miserable failure that was the 2006 team?
If Ronaldo gets injured, that's it for them. You could say something similar for Holland - - if either RVP or Robben get hurt, we're going home. Everyone else on the squad is quite average. Interested to see how van Gaal puts it all together.
Early lines for the matches are starting to come out. Ghana vs USA is a pick. Germany favorites over Portugal. England vs Italy is a pick leaning towards Italy. Mexico slight favorites over Cameroon.
