After a brief hiatus post about the NBA, I am back to talking about soccer, America's new favorite sport. All I can say about the last USA game is WOW! Those last couple of minutes will go down as one of the greatest moments in American sports history. It wasn't quite Miracle on Ice epic, but it was epic none the loss. But the real question for all us new USA soccer fans is can we make it further? Or is our run of awesomeness doomed to end on Saturday? Here is how I see the American draw going from here on out:
Round of 16 - USA vs. Ghana - I really wish we didn't have to play Ghana so soon. I really wanted the USA to do well and an African team to do well. Obviously those ideas are now mutually exclusive. This game is very winnable for us. Ghana is a very good, very steady defensive team. We, on the other hand, are a good team that shows flashes of brilliance. If we can play this game with same energy we have during the second halves of our last two games, this win should be ours. Ghana is a better version of Algeria in that they play very solid defense and have trouble scoring. If we can catch lightning in a bottle and score just once, this win could be ours. But if we get lax on defense and let them score first, they could lock us down, put everyone behind the ball, and the game could be over. Prediction: USA over Ghana 1-0
Round of 8 (Elite Eight) - USA vs. Uruguay or South Korea - A quarterfinals match up between either one of these teams would have been a surprising pick to anyone before the Cup began. Both of these teams are very attack oriented so our game plan shouldn't be that different regardless of opponent. That being said, I think Uruguay will beat South Korea and advance. Based on their showing versus Mexico, I would say that they have a talent level similar to ours. I think we will advance for three reasons: 1) We have a better goalkeeper, which should be key in what could be a higher scoring game, 2) I think our team's underdog status and exciting play is going to win us a whole lot of fans, giving us the de-facto home field advantage, and 3) I really believe our cardiac kids can make it to soccer's Final Four. Prediction: USA over Uruguay 2-1
Round of 4 (Final Four) - USA vs. the Netherlands, Slovakia, Brazil, Spain, Switzerland, or Chile - While our opponent could be anyone of those teams above, our most likely opponent is Brazil. Unfortunately, this is where I think our amazing run will come to an end. Our team was up 2-0 on Brazil at halftime of the Confederations Cup final and many fans think we could have won that game had Michael Bradley been playing. But the second half of that game is the reason I don't think we can win. When America is playing at our very best, we are an elite team The problem is our very best is the same quality of play that Brazil shows all of the time. Even if we can start out hot, the Confederation's Cup final shows that Brazil has the ability to do whatever it takes to win. Plus, Brazil negates our team's best advantage. Our keeper, Tim Howard, is one of the best goalies in the world. The problem is Brazil's keeper, Julio Cesar, is the best goalie in the world. That being said, if we can somehow come out super hot and post a goalie or two on Brazil, then maybe we can get them to press too hard and make some mistakes. Unfortunately, I don't think that will happen. Prediction: Brazil over USA 2-1
Third Place Game - USA vs. Germany, England, Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Chile, or Switzerland - Once again, our opponent could be any one of these teams but I am picking Chile. What an incredible exciting game this would be! Both teams would be really proud to be in this game and would definitely play as if it were the final. Chile is a non-stop, attack focused team. They would test our defense in a way that not even Brazil will. However, our attack isn't so bad itself. As the goal for versus Algeria showed, we can be especially good on the counter-attack. In the end, I think our superior goal keeping will be the difference here as well. Prediction: USA over Chile 3-2
Final - Brazil vs. Argentina - I might as well go ahead and pick this game really quickly. While I would love to see the USA make the final, a match-up between these two teams would make great soccer. There are so many ways to view this game. They are clearly the two best teams in South America, both now and historically. Brazil is the world's best team and Argentina has the world's best player (Lionel Messi). Brazil's manager, Dunga, is as steady as can be and Argentina's manager, Diego Maradona, is possibly the biggest loose cannon in this tournament, player or coach. In the end, I think the steady team will emerge victorious. Prediction: Brazil over Argentina 2-2 in PKs (Really that is just what I want to see, but think for a second about how awesome of a finish this would make)
How do you think Team USA will do the rest of the way? Can our boys make it to the Final Four or possibly even further? Leave a comment below and lets talk it out. Also, be sure to vote in the poll to the right.
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