Sorting Through All the Varying Soccer Outcomes of USA vs. Germany
When
the USA Soccer Team squares off with Germany on Thursday at the 2014 World Cup
for their final group stage match, there are countless things that can happen, and
a lot also depends upon the other game in the teams’ group between Portugal and
Ghana. While America has done very well
in their first 2 games in Brazil, if they lose this one they may well be out of
the tournament. Meanwhile, a glorious
performance and victory could result in America progressing through this “group
of death” as winners, earning a more favorable matchup for the second round of
the proceedings. But we must also
remember that the Germans are amongst the top contenders at the tournament and
will be the stiffest test yet for America.
Another
problem for our hopes in this game is that Germany will want to win. In a nightmare scenario for them, should they
fall to the USA even they may face elimination from the World Cup! That prospect alone should mean that they
will come out firing, utilizing all the skills of Philip Lahm, Mesut Ozil,
Thomas Muller, and Miroslav Klose to put us to bed. And while a defeat wouldn’t mean the certain
end for the USA, if Ghana wins the game by Portugal goal difference will decide
who goes through. This means that
despite our fantastic opening victory against Ghana, they might just progress
over us. Similarly, if Portugal wins by
a wide margin and the USA loses by several or more goals, they could catch us
on goal differential as well, though the advantage by America bodes well in
that instance given Portugal’s 4-0 loss to Germany in their opening fixture.
And
this brings us to the issue of draws and its benefits to our team. Should Portugal and Ghana tie, they would
both be eliminated and the USA and Germany would both go through. And more importantly for the USA, should we
draw against Germany both teams would progress, with Germany as group
winners. This prospect does suit both
teams reasonably well and has brought up the issue that the teams might play
for the tie. Such a conspiracy has drawn
immense speculation considering USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s ties to
Germany. A former World Cup winning
striker for Germany, Klinsmann managed his home country in the 2006 tournament
and now leads the American team. He is
close to the entire German national team and staff and shares their
nationality!
Most
analysts would question the ethics of such a mutual decision between Germany
and America to draw, while players on both teams have moved to denounce any
such decisions. In their minds this is a
match like any other and will be played to the highest degree of sportsmanship
and honest play. But, if the game is
close in the 85th minute and the result beckons warmly for either
Portugal or Ghana, what will happen?
Will someone on Germany let in a very soft goal? Will the players spend the last 5 minutes
passing the ball about to ensure the tie?
As
strange as this scenario appears to be, it has actually happened in the past
and is one of the few imperfections in an otherwise wonderfully organized
competition. Should the result not go
the way of either Portugal or Ghana, you’d better believe they will be
clamoring about the injustice, even if Germany and the USA play fair to a
hard-fought draw. It’s a no-win
situation for the Americans, and I feel they need to accept that fact and hope
that the Germans gift us a draw. For as
tough and competitive as our group seems to be, Germany is a team on another
level and could certainly have their way with us if they want. Hopefully, seeing Klinsmann on our sideline
will touch their softer side and give us a fighting hope of progression. The questions will linger through the game
and into the post-match discussions, but let’s just hope that whatever transpires
between the USA and Germany will result in America moving on to the round of
16!
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