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%

USA v. Costa Rica - The Battle in the Snow

Six inches of snow fall. Freezing temperatures. Minimal visibility. These extreme conditions were met by both teams on the road to qualifying for the World Cup when the USA played Costa Rica in front of a sell out crowd (19,374) in Colorado on Friday March 22, 2013. The 1-0 win by the US Men's National Team was gritty, hard-fought, and classic. It was a true testament to the 100 year old federation and their spirit of grinding, die-hard play.

With a new starting 'keeper between the sticks and Clint Dempsey's first game wearing the armband, Jurgen Klinsmann had a mountain of criticism to confront. In the week leading up to the challenge, reports surfaced of discord in the locker room. Anonymous quotes detailing a lack of unity between German-born players and the more stateside players arose. Other quotes announced a lack of faith in the coach's preparation and strategy, coming on the heels of Klinsmann's omission of veteran back and former captain Carlos Bocanegra. Add that to the constant worries of a young, inexperienced back line and the pressure could have turned coal into diamonds. But that just may have been it.

By no means was it a beautiful game, but the snow covered scenes still were pretty at times. Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley did their part in holding up play and stepping on the ball to give the attack a chance to build. Patience and strength gave way to a considerable amount of possession for the US team (60% in the first half), eventually leading to a tap-in goal by Captain Clint. A shot by Altidore at the top of the box deflected off of a Costa Rican defender and Dempsey was left alone in front of an empty net to tuck it in for the game's lone goal in the 16th minute.

For the remainder of the game, the United States showed their gritty side that has lead them to the World Cup time and time again. Omar Gonzalez, Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron, and veteran DaMarcus Beasley sured up the defense and locked the Costa Ricans out of the game. It remains to be seen if Beasley is merely a band aid at the outside back position or if he will be the answer, but it reflects well on the coach's decision making to have put such a veteran presence at the back.
Showing amazing calm and tremendous composure in the absurd conditions, the US team gained three points to put them in second place on the Hexagonal table.