USA Advances to Round of 16, Despite Loss to Germany
Exceeding all expectations, the 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 U.S. entered the game tied with Germany in Group G with four points each; Ghana and Portugal with one point each. The U.S. 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 U.S. 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 55th minute put the Germans ahead, and the U.S. failed to equalize.
American soccer fans were largely thrown into despair on December 6, 2013, when the U.S. was assigned to Group G with Portugal, Ghana and Germany, referred to as the “Group of Death.” With some commentators expecting the U.S. to lose all three games in the group stage, the USMNT were considered Dead on Arrival.
Things turned around for the U.S. with a thrilling 2-1 win against Ghana on June 17th. The result gave the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. failed to advance past the Group Stage; and in 2002, the U.S. 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.
