USA vs Germany

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:02 pm

Since I have a big hearing starting at 9:30 Thursday morning, this is as close to the game as I'm going to get.

The judge being 87 years old, I don't think he's going to be too understanding if I keep checking my phone during the argument either.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:30 pm

P-V-R! P-V-R!

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:57 pm

Steve, 87??? Maybe he kicks off before Thursday and the hearing gets postponed.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:51 pm

can you find a loophole in the law that adjourns the meeting?

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:57 am

The DC City Council schedule a hearing on the DC United Stadium at the exact same time as this game. One of the council members is trying to change the schedule.
http://www.wtop.com/109/3641537/DC-Unit ... ns-unhappy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:02 pm

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:22 pm

This scenario has all the makings of the perfect storm for the US to fail to advance. Seconds away from advancing after 2 games, needing a point against a fantastic (even by their standards) Germany, playing on short rest after a game in the rain forest while Germany got the extra day rest. This just feels like a scenario where Portugal wins big, and the US come out flat after having a huge emotional hit, and losing big, so Portugal overcomes their goal differential. After finally getting a chance to watch the 2nd half of the Germany/Ghana game, I don't see how Portugal can handle Ghana. Gotta root for a draw there. The other thing I see happening is a situation where it looks like the US will go through after a 1 goal loss, the other game going a bit later and an injury time goal knocking the US out.

Too many years as a Jets fan has made me cynical. Still; I believe that we can tie!

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:26 pm

or could be a scenario similar to 2002. US got smoked by Poland but Portugal couldn't win. In fact they were begging the Koreans to stop attacking.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:39 pm

My worry isn't Portugal - it is Ghana. They are the ones closest to us on goal differential, they too have an extra day of rest, and Portugal looked like a defeated club, even after snaking the tie.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 4:05 pm

tennbengal wrote:My worry isn't Portugal - it is Ghana. They are the ones closest to us on goal differential, they too have an extra day of rest, and Portugal looked like a defeated club, even after snaking the tie.

Portugal having something to play for (miniscule chance to advance) helps us. CR7, Coentrao, Almeida, maybe Meirelles all being injured, and Portugal having a high level of cuntiness does not help at all. I can see them getting slaughtered by Ghana.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:15 am

Yup, that's my worry. They get down one, and then quit playing, and Ghana rolls them 3-0 while we are losing 1-0.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:50 am

tennbengal wrote:Yup, that's my worry. They get down one, and then quit playing, and Ghana rolls them 3-0 while we are losing 1-0.

Then we get to relive the 94th minute gut punch all over again! Good times.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:56 am

The huge wild card, which others have kind of expressed, is what Portugal decides to do with this game.

The reason they barely celebrated that goal is that they got outplayed in a must-win game against, in their minds, an inferior opponent. Everyone in this group circled the US as a must win (well, except GER, who don't need to circle jack squat). Just like we circled Ghana. If we'd tied that first game, our outlook going into Portugal would've been very very different. Dire.

Think about it from their perspective. They didn't have to blow us out, as some folks mistakenly thought. They beat us and they go into TH knowing their fate is in their hands.

So, with a miniscule shot at going through, we have to pray that Portugal scores early. Ghana is going to go absolutely nuts in the first 15. So we hope for them to get caught up field a few times.

=-=-=-=

Germany is scary good and they don't want to mess around with Belgium, to be sure. But there's absolutely no chance they play with the sense of urgency that the US will bring. It's just not possible to trick the mind into convincing the player otherwise... especially a bunch of literal-minded Germans.

Will that be enough of an edge? I just don't know. They are just so freaking good going forward, and I am really worried about Mueller slicing up Cameron with runs off his back.

Even if they sit back a little, they are have the wherewithal to pop us for quick goals, and we'll have to press forward playing into their hands. And if we try to just sit back and bunker? We just aren't good at it. We'll lose the game if we sit back. And it will absolutely suck to have to sit through that as a fan.

I'd much rather we come out and try to take the game to them. I'd rather go out like that, than to lose 1 or 2 nil playing a bunker.

Post by **brian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:14 am

Nonlinear FC wrote:I'd much rather we come out and try to take the game to them. I'd rather go out like that, than to lose 1 or 2 nil playing a bunker.

Agreed.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:54 am

Nonlinear FC wrote: I'd much rather we come out and try to take the game to them. I'd rather go out like that, than to lose 1 or 2 nil playing a bunker.

Absolutely. My Chilean co-worker said the same thing 5 minutes ago. He's so pissed off that Chile didn't go for it yesterday and lost 2-nil playing a bunker. All Chilean World Cup adventures end when they meet Brazil.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:06 pm

Was thinking about it yesterday. If the US and Germany came out and pretended to play for 90 minutes, I'd be disappointed. Sure, they'd make it to the next round, but it wouldn't feel like much of an accomplishment. Sure, you get through and play one more game, but if you lose that game, it really seems pointless. Playing the third games at the same time makes it a bit better, but with technology, the coaches all know the score of the other game. I'd say winning the group is a big difference that coming in second, but this year it is such a crap shoot. A lot of favorites will come in second, and the favorites aren't necessarily that much better. Belgium haven't looked good, but the rest of the group is a big step down, so this is one group where it probably is a bigger deal.

I just hope Ghana isn't delaying in fucking us over. They know have the chance to knock us out a third consecutive tourney. Just when you thought we broke the curse... Where is our Warlock!

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:13 pm

The Sybian wrote:Was thinking about it yesterday. If the US and Germany came out and pretended to play for 90 minutes, I'd be disappointed. Sure, they'd make it to the next round, but it wouldn't feel like much of an accomplishment. Sure, you get through and play one more game, but if you lose that game, it really seems pointless. Playing the third games at the same time makes it a bit better, but with technology, the coaches all know the score of the other game. I'd say winning the group is a big difference that coming in second, but this year it is such a crap shoot. A lot of favorites will come in second, and the favorites aren't necessarily that much better. Belgium haven't looked good, but the rest of the group is a big step down, so this is one group where it probably is a bigger deal.

I just hope Ghana isn't delaying in fucking us over. They know have the chance to knock us out a third consecutive tourney. Just when you thought we broke the curse... Where is our Warlock!

In studio

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:18 pm

govmentchedda wrote: In studio

Has Lalas come around and said that he thinks the US can make it out of the group? Lalas is a lot of things, but a Warlock ain't one of them.

I nominate that Marine who claims he served on Mars protecting an international cabal from Martian attacks. Or the High Elf on LSD quoted in my signature.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 1:36 pm

The likely US path if they end up 2nd in the Group of Death?

Belgium - Argentina - the Dutch - Brazil/France.

Seems doable...

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:23 pm

But the other way is Algeria - France - Brazil - Argentina

Just making the 2nd round in any fashion would be great.

I wouldn't want to play those Algerian guys who look quick.
European teams suck in this tournament so I'd rather play Belgium.

Post by **brian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:35 pm

degenerasian wrote:But the other way is Algeria - France - Brazil - Argentina

Just making the 2nd round in any fashion would be great.

I wouldn't want to play those Algerian guys who look quick.
European teams suck in this tournament so I'd rather play Belgium.

Belgium is very good, but I'd like the US chances in that game. It would be 50/50-ish or so at any rate. I'd be over the moon with an appearance in the quarterfinals if that's where the road ends.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:44 pm

A USA-Costa Rica semifinal would be awesome.

howard · Post by **howard** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 5:20 pm

degenerasian wrote:A USA-Costa Rica semifinal would be awesome.

It is winter down there…

Post by **Sabo** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:28 am

Even the German supermarkets are getting ready for tomorrow:

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:47 am

Sabo wrote:Even the German supermarkets are getting ready for tomorrow:

That looks like a draw to me.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:50 am

No way, man. Just having garlic gives the US a huge win there.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:20 am

I really think we lose this game tomorrow. I think Germany has way too much class for us to get a result. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like I need to really familiarize myself with that Deadspin chart about what we need from Portugal/Ghana to advance.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:54 am

govmentchedda wrote:I really think we lose this game tomorrow. I think Germany has way too much class for us to get a result. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like I need to really familiarize myself with that Deadspin chart about what we need from Portugal/Ghana to advance.

No chart necessary.

If we lose, Ghana has to make up two goals and Portugal has to make up 5. (For the most part.)

Only other example we lose to Ghana is if they win by one goal in a higher scoring one goal loss than us (i.e. Ghana wins 2-1 and we lose 1-0, they move on, Ghana wins 3-2 and we lose 2-1 they move on, etc.)

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:59 am

govmentchedda wrote:I really think we lose this game tomorrow. I think Germany has way too much class for us to get a result. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like I need to really familiarize myself with that Deadspin chart about what we need from Portugal/Ghana to advance.

Feeling the same way, but hoping to eek out a miraculous tie. If only Germany beat Ghana, we'd be in good shape. Especially since I think Ghana beats Portugal. I am essentially rooting for a very low scoring game for Ghana/Portugal, and a lot of goals for the US. If we lose, it needs to be by one goal, and hope Ghana doesn't win by 2 or more. If Portugal wins and we lose, Portugal will have to make up a goal differential of 5 points. A minimum of 2 will be made up of course, so we need to keep both games close. I say we go ahead early, keep a lead into the end of the game and try to hold on. If we end up giving up a late tying goal, no worries, bring on the Belgians!

I just feel like Ghana will screw us again.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:00 am

The Sybian wrote:
I just feel like Ghana will screw us again.

They basically already did by drawing against Germany. Were it not for that, it would have taken a miracle for Portugal to pass us tomorrow.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:02 am

brian wrote:
govmentchedda wrote:I really think we lose this game tomorrow. I think Germany has way too much class for us to get a result. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like I need to really familiarize myself with that Deadspin chart about what we need from Portugal/Ghana to advance.
No chart necessary.

If we lose, Ghana has to make up two goals and Portugal has to make up 5. (For the most part.)

Only other example we lose to Ghana is if they win by one goal in a higher scoring one goal loss than us (i.e. Ghana wins 2-1 and we lose 1-0, they move on, Ghana wins 3-2 and we lose 2-1 they move on, etc.)

Right. A Ghana win, and US loss achieves the two goals Ghana has to have to advance, EXCEPT for if it ends at us tied on total goals scored (i.e. we lose by one, they lose by one, or it's a coin flip to see who advances).

A Portugal win is better, but a Portugal blowout could also be bad for us.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:04 am

govmentchedda wrote:
brian wrote:
govmentchedda wrote:I really think we lose this game tomorrow. I think Germany has way too much class for us to get a result. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like I need to really familiarize myself with that Deadspin chart about what we need from Portugal/Ghana to advance.
No chart necessary.

If we lose, Ghana has to make up two goals and Portugal has to make up 5. (For the most part.)

Only other example we lose to Ghana is if they win by one goal in a higher scoring one goal loss than us (i.e. Ghana wins 2-1 and we lose 1-0, they move on, Ghana wins 3-2 and we lose 2-1 they move on, etc.)
Right. A Ghana win, and US loss achieves the two goals Ghana has to have to advance, EXCEPT for if it ends at us tied on total goals scored (i.e. we lose by one, they lose by one, or it's a coin flip to see who advances).

A Portugal win is better, but a Portugal blowout could also be bad for us.

I'll take my chances with that. If Portugal wins 2-0, we'd have to lose by three.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:19 am

I don't think I'm being too negative when I say that I'm expecting a complete disaster.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:24 am

govmentchedda wrote:
brian wrote:
govmentchedda wrote:I really think we lose this game tomorrow. I think Germany has way too much class for us to get a result. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like I need to really familiarize myself with that Deadspin chart about what we need from Portugal/Ghana to advance.
No chart necessary.

If we lose, Ghana has to make up two goals and Portugal has to make up 5. (For the most part.)

Only other example we lose to Ghana is if they win by one goal in a higher scoring one goal loss than us (i.e. Ghana wins 2-1 and we lose 1-0, they move on, Ghana wins 3-2 and we lose 2-1 they move on, etc.)
Right. A Ghana win, and US loss achieves the two goals Ghana has to have to advance, EXCEPT for if it ends at us tied on total goals scored (i.e. we lose by one, they lose by one, or it's a coin flip to see who advances).

A Portugal win is better, but a Portugal blowout could also be bad for us.

If we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 1-0, everything is tied. Does head to head come in at all, or would that be a coin toss? Any other score with Ghana winning and US losing, Ghana advances, right? I'm rooting for Portugal. in a low scoring win. God damnit, why couldn't we have just held on for the win!!!!

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:28 am

The Sybian wrote:
If we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 1-0, everything is tied. Does head to head come in at all, or would that be a coin toss? Any other score with Ghana winning and US losing, Ghana advances, right? I'm rooting for Portugal. in a low scoring win. God damnit, why couldn't we have just held on for the win!!!!

Any situation where their score and our score is an inverse makes everything tied. 3-2 win for them, 2-3 loss for us, etc.

And then we advance on head to head. Only goes to coin flip if it comes down to us and portugal with everything tied.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:32 am

The Sybian wrote: If we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 1-0, everything is tied. Does head to head come in at all, or would that be a coin toss? Any other score with Ghana winning and US losing, Ghana advances, right? I'm rooting for Portugal. in a low scoring win. God damnit, why couldn't we have just held on for the win!!!!

AB is wrong.
We advance in the 1-0, 0-1 scenario because of our head to head win. In any other situation where we lose by 1 and Ghana win by 1 they move on because of more goals scored.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:35 am

brian wrote:
The Sybian wrote: If we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 1-0, everything is tied. Does head to head come in at all, or would that be a coin toss? Any other score with Ghana winning and US losing, Ghana advances, right? I'm rooting for Portugal. in a low scoring win. God damnit, why couldn't we have just held on for the win!!!!
AB is wrong.
We advance in the 1-0, 0-1 scenario because of our head to head win. In any other situation where we lose by 1 and Ghana win by 1 they move on because of more goals scored.

Brian is wrong because he didn't see that I said inverse. Yes, if they win 3-2 and we lose 2-1, we're fucked. But the other inverse scenarios have us advancing.

Post by **brian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:35 am

AB_skin_test wrote:
brian wrote:
The Sybian wrote: If we lose 0-1 and Ghana wins 1-0, everything is tied. Does head to head come in at all, or would that be a coin toss? Any other score with Ghana winning and US losing, Ghana advances, right? I'm rooting for Portugal. in a low scoring win. God damnit, why couldn't we have just held on for the win!!!!
AB is wrong.
We advance in the 1-0, 0-1 scenario because of our head to head win. In any other situation where we lose by 1 and Ghana win by 1 they move on because of more goals scored.
Brian is wrong because he didn't see that I said inverse.

AB is write. I red his post rong.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:37 am

I did an edit for clarity, not sure if you saw before that.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:46 am

If h2h was the first tiebreaker Ghana would be eliminated already. They'd probably roll over for Portugal.