Exceeding all expectations, the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) will advance to the second round of the World Cup, referred to in soccer parlance as “The Round of Sixteen.”
The US entered the game tied with Germany in Group G with four points each; Ghana and Portugal with one point each. The US team would have been guaranteed to advance with a win or a draw against Germany; a loss would have meant that the Red, White & Blue would have to see how things shook out in the Ghana v. Portugal game. Due to the tie-breaking system of goal differentials, the US would have needed to lose by a wide margin, or either Portugal or Ghana would have to win by a wide margin, in order for the US not to advance.
The Americans showed up to the pitch hungry for a win, and played well throughout. Unfortunately, Thomas Mueller’s shot in the fifty-fifth minute put the Germans ahead, and the US failed to equalize.
American soccer fans were largely thrown into despair on December 6, 2013, when the US was assigned to Group G with Portugal, Ghana and Germany; referred to as the “Group of Death.” With some commentators expecting the US to lose all three games in the group stage, the USMNT were considered Dead on Arrival.
Things turned around for the US with a thrilling 2-1 win against Ghana on June 17th. The result gave the US three points that they desperately needed; but unfortunately resulted in striker Jozy Altidore injuring his hamstring, and being out for the remainder of the Group Stage. On June 22, the USMNT found themselves in the driver’s seat in Group G. With a win against Portugal, the US would have been guaranteed to advance. Indeed, the Americans looked like they were going to win the game until a heartbreaking equalizer from Portugal with twenty seconds left in the game.
On Tuesday, July 1st, the US will face its first opponent in the Knockout Round; as of this post, that is most likely to be Belgium. Currently, Belgium is ranked 11th in the world, and the US is ranked 13th.
In 2010, the Knockout Round was not kind to the USMNT. The Red, White & Blue lost to Ghana 2-1. In 2006, the US failed to advance past the Group Stage; and in 2002, the US advanced to the quarterfinals, but lost 1-0 to Germany.
What do you think are the chances of the USMNT advancing in the Knockout Stage? Let us know in the Comments.
Image source: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/vCYn856mPo4/maxresdefault.jpg
USA Advances to Round of 16, Despite Loss to Germany is a post from: The Inquisitr News
USA Advances to Round of 16, Despite Loss to Germany
No comments:
Post a Comment