US of A v. Portugal

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:59 am

So starting off this thread with a question (no I am not doing a poll)

Is the world cup a success for the US if:
1.) 3 points from Ghana and no points the rest of the way
2.) 4 points but don't go through
3.) 4 points go through and get knocked out in round of 16
4.) 4 points go through and get knocked out in the round of 16 on PKs
5.) 4 points and make it to the round of 8
6.) 5 points go through and get knocked out in round of 16
7.) 5 points go through and get knocked out in the round of 16 on PKs
8.) 5 points and through to round of 8
9.) 6/7/9 points go through and get knocked out in round of 16
10.) 6/7/9 points go through and get knocked out in the round of 16 on PKs
11.) 6/7/9 points and through to round of 8

Does it matter who they would face in the round of 16?
Does more points in the group stage mean you expect them to move on from the 16?
Can they go out in group or knockout but play well and feel good or does the result make and break?
Does it matter how they would get to 4,6, or 7 points (i.e. which team they would get points from during group?

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:07 am

My answers:

3 or higher. If they don't get out of this group it will be disappointing since they got the three points off Ghana. Had they drawn or lost to Ghana I'd be happy with any points.

No.

No.

If they make it to the knockout stages and play a great game and lose, I'll be happy.

Not really. Sure, it would be great to beat Germany and Portugal to get nine points but IMO, the most important thing is they move on to the knockout stage.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:17 am

We're banning anyone that's satisfied with PK losses, right?

testuser2 · Post by **testuser2** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:19 am

You forgot one...

12) champs

Before the Cup I expected round of 16. Now that they lost Jozy they will have trouble getting any offense. He didn't score much, but he did draw defenders and hold them up. I don't think Wondo/Johannson have that ability. If Bradley plays like he did against Ghana they are done. He was late/inaccurate in his distributions and Portugal will just dominate possession if he gives it away so easily.

My worry is that US/Port draw and Germany wins their game. Then the US/Germany game is meaningful for both teams. For Germany it's a matter of #1/2 in the group. I could really see Portugal pounding a lifeless Ghana in the last game and coming back in goal differential.

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:48 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: Is the world cup a success for the US if:

3) or higher is OK with me, considering the strength of the group and that this is (IMO) a weaker roster than '10. The real test of Klinsmann's tenure will be in whether there is appreciable improvement by the next WC cycle.

Does it matter who they would face in the round of 16?

Not really, though getting a weaker opponent who they stand a decent chance of beating would give an illusion of progress to more casual followers.

Does more points in the group stage mean you expect them to move on from the 16?

Since the "more points" would involve beating/drawing Germany or Portugal, that would be a notable result, but it wouldn't really affect my expectations beyond that.

Can they go out in group or knockout but play well and feel good or does the result make and break?

If they get draws or narrow losses vs. Germany and Portugal and don't advance, I won't consider it a massive failure. If they get out of the group I couldn't really be disappointed with the end result, barring some sort of weird meltdown where one of the players bites someone or something like that.

Does it matter how they would get to 4,6, or 7 points (i.e. which team they would get points from during group?

Not really.

Post by **Shirley** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:21 am

Absolutely 3 or higher. That said, 4 points and lose the first knockout game would feel like we are treading water, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it'd be mildly disappointing.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:34 am

My answers to your questions are exactly the same as Johnny Carwash.

Jerloma · Post by **Jerloma** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:46 am

Mine too.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:20 am

I think we need to kick the ball to each other and then kick it into the goals and stuff, while preventing the other people from kicking the ball in our goal. That's about where my knowledge ends.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:33 am

govmentchedda wrote:My answers to your questions are exactly the same as Johnny Carwash.

Yeah, I saw all the agrees before I read Carwash's response, but I am right there. 3 points is arguably a better result than expected due to the Group, but at this point, failing to advance is always going to be a disappointment. Even if they are underdogs to advance, a great showing and falling too short to the best in the world, I am still disappointed. Losing in the Round of 16 to Belgium? A bummer, but the expected result. No shame in that.

I am trying to figure out what percentage of my wanting the team to advance is to shut Lalas the fuck up.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 12:20 pm

I think 4 points, no matter how we get them, is good enough for me with this group - especially with how bad the US looked against Ghana.

Four points is four points, so whether that four points gets us through the group or not doesn't really make a difference to me regarding how well we did.

Is there much of a chance of the US getting four points and not going through?

Post by **brian** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 12:21 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote:I think 4 points, no matter how we get them, is good enough for me with this group - especially with how bad the US looked against Ghana.

Four points is four points, so whether that four points gets us through the group or not doesn't really make a difference to me regarding how well we did.

Is there much of a chance of the US getting four points and not going through?

Depends if they draw against Portugal or Germany. If they draw against Portugal you have to favor their chances. If they lose to Portugal and draw Germany, then not so much.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:36 am

Win and in.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:50 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:Win and in.

Were but all of sports, and all of life, so simple.

Loving the anticipation this afternoon.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 4:38 pm

3-1 good guys. It has been foreseen.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:07 pm

these next three goals are gonna be awesome.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:11 pm

…if they can be as composed and confident as you. (and take care of the fucking ball.)

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:36 pm

We've actually played pretty decently since the first goal. The trend of having a terrible defensive lapse in the first 5-10 minutes continues to plague us.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:38 pm

Settled down nicely. But must cover better for DMB when he goes forward.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:39 pm

TV time out?

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:01 pm

The damage Klinsmann has done to ESPN's halftime shows cannot be repaired.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:17 pm

Rex wrote:The damage Klinsmann has done to ESPN's halftime shows cannot be repaired.

Beau it Ful.

Zusi pissing me off

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:23 pm

Beauty!

Take it to them! Portuguese are gassed!

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:26 pm

Nasty.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:28 pm

Our composure excellent for last 15.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:32 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:Our composure excellent for last 15.

Dropping back a bit though. Protecting the draw?

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:40 pm

Youngster Yedlin gets it started. Guess Klinsmann has some depth on his squad.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:47 pm

Brookhaven park rockin crazy here.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:49 pm

I want Cameron to make a saving tackle or play here, to bookend this game.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:55 pm

fucking ronaldo

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:55 pm

Oh my. Stunned here.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:56 pm

Bradley lost the ball in midfield :(

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:57 pm

degenerasian wrote:Bradley lost the ball in midfield :(

he sure did. he lost it about three minutes earlier too.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:59 pm

So, agree w/GER to draw?

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:02 pm

howard wrote:So, agree w/GER to draw?

I don't think the Germans with their +4 goal difference will care about this game. They don't really care who between Belgium and Algeria they play. They might just mail it in.

Joe K · Post by **Joe K** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:13 pm

degenerasian wrote:
howard wrote:So, agree w/GER to draw?
I don't think the Germans with their +4 goal difference will care about this game. They don't really care who between Belgium and Algeria they play. They might just mail it in.

I don't think there's any chance of that. A 2-0 USA win combined with a 3-0 Ghana win and Ghana catches Germany on goal differential. Obviously that scenario isn't likely but it's not like Germany's goal differential edge is insurmountable. Portugal didn't look very good for most of today's game so I wouldn't be surprised to see Ghana beat them.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:15 pm

Joe K wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
howard wrote:So, agree w/GER to draw?
I don't think the Germans with their +4 goal difference will care about this game. They don't really care who between Belgium and Algeria they play. They might just mail it in.
I don't think there's any chance of that. A 2-0 USA win combined with a 3-0 Ghana win and Ghana catches Germany on goal differential. Obviously that scenario isn't likely but it's not like Germany's goal differential edge is insurmountable. Portugal didn't look very good for most of today's game so I wouldn't be surprised to see Ghana beat them.

Obviously they'll have an ear on how the other game is going but I don't believe they'll start their best lineup due to injuries and the heat.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:28 pm

howard wrote:I want Cameron to make a saving tackle or play here, to bookend this game.

his opportunity was there.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:35 pm

Who is the sick fuck that's going to do a reactions montage?

Post by **brian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:38 pm

Is Michael Bradley shaving points? I hate that I even have to fucking joke about that.