World Cup 2014: Match Day 11

Yesterday was another day of unexpected results in Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Iran held off South American favorites Argentina for 90 minutes until Lionel Messi broke their hearts with a beautiful left foot curler from outside the box in stoppage time. The discussion leans toward how unimpressive Argentina is looking, having to rely too heavily on their number 10. It was another shocking result in another amazing game when Ghana tied Germany 2-2. After a scoreless first half, the two teams battled back and forth, both looking lethal and powerful. Super sub Miroslav Klose came off the bench for Germany to score the game winner in classic poacher style, equalling Ronaldo's total goals scored record in World Cups at 15 a piece. With both teams taking away a point, the door in the Group of Death just got a little wider, and the pencils of mathematicians around the world got a little shorter as they crunched the numbers. 

But today, that door could shut with one team walking through to the Round of 16 from Group G. If the United States of America can beat Portugal, they will qualify to advance into the next round. 

The football fever has risen to a boil in the US, and Clint Dempsey reports that his team feels as though there is a 12th man on the pitch in Brazil due to the faithful US supporters that have travelled to the Amazon in Natal and Manaus. A country known for its love of baseball, american football, and basketball, is turning their attention toward the 23 men it sent to Brazil dressed in red, white, and blue. 

Michael Bradley will have to be the General he is known to be in the midfield for the US in their game today. The US must not be cautious, rather, they must risk everything and go forward against a weakened Portuguese side. Cristiano Ronaldo limps into the game with a lingering knee issue, Pepe is suspended on a red, Hugo Almeida has an injury, and Fabio Contreao has been ruled out of the World Cup with an injury. This is the best possible time for the United States to strike against Portugal and take them for all 3 points. Without the services of Jozy Altidore, the US attack surely is also weakened but Clint Dempsey is known for stepping up and doing whatever it takes to put that ball in the back of the net. 

The other games of this match day 11 see Russia play against Belgium and then Korea play Algeria to round out the second round of games in the Group Stage. We will have a much more clear picture of the Round of 16 before this day is over, setting up some epic battles this week. 

Today's Games:

Belgium vs. Russia, 9:00 PST Rio de Janeiro

Korea vs. Algeria, 12:00 PST Porto Alegre

USA vs. Portugal, 15:00 PST Manaus

My Picks:

Belgium

Korea

USA

My Record:

17 out of 29, 59%