OT World Cup Thread

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Costa Rica could also get something off England. If the Ticos get a lead, they are exceptional at grinding a result, and at this point two draws would guarantee they go through. The real question is of Uruguay is as bad as they looked.

[MayorBeluga]

Well on the plus side, England won't have another disappointing penalty kick loss in the knock out rounds.

[TheSultan]

If Italy blows out Costa Rica and then turns around and beats Uruguay (neither are out of the question,) England still has life.

BTW how about these stats:

Western Hemisphere (North, Central, South America): 10 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses

Everyone else: 9 wins, 4 draws, 16 losses

[ValiantSailor]

"Group of Death" lives up to its name. Unbelievable finish!

VS

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Bradley blew it at the end there... So close... I came into the day saying that I'd be happy with a draw, but now post game I don't feel good about it at all, stuff like that always comes back to haunt you.

Let's hope that Ghana and Portugal tie or that Portugal can beat Ghana by 1...

[MUfan12]

Jurgen should bench Bradley. He's been terrible, and gave the ball away in a completely unacceptable fashion to lead to the equalizer. A horrible result, and one that will probably see them go out.

[TheSultan]

Jurgen should bench Bradley. He's been terrible, and gave the ball away in a completely unacceptable fashion to lead to the equalizer. A horrible result, and one that will probably see them go out.

Why will they go out?

If US wins or draws they advance.
If Ghana / Portugal tie, US advances.
If US loses by 1, Ghana would have to win by 2 to advance.
If US loses by 1, Portugal would have to win by 4 to advance.

Right now, oddsmakers give Germany a 1/100 shot at advancing...US 1/5...Ghana 6/1...Portugal 8/1. That's about right.

[WindyCityGoldenEagle]

Jurgen should bench Bradley. He's been terrible, and gave the ball away in a completely unacceptable fashion to lead to the equalizer. A horrible result, and one that will probably see them go out.

Bradley's giveaway was unacceptable for a player of his caliber. I realize he was gassed, but if you can't get possession of it, just blast it into the corner at that point - he knows that and we never shouldve been in that position. Also the defenders really shouldve done a better job of not allowing the one guy in the box to get behind them.

Regarding benching him, he hasnt been very good for two games now - that i will agree with but he's arguably our best player so that's just ridiculous to bench him.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

I would assume those are odds of not advancing... Germany has way better than a 1/100 odd of advancing at this point. The US is definitely in a better spot than Portugal and Ghana... That said Germany will be the toughest team they will play thus far. It's a bit ironic that they played much better today than they did in their first game given the results... The US should have had another goal or two today. Thursday could be real interesting.

[unclejohn]

I expect Germany and the US to kick the ball around for ninety minutes without trying to do much. The US can afford a loss by one goal as long as Ghana does not win by two. The only problem I see is that in order for Portugal to advance, they have to score in bunches, which means they have to throw caution to the winds. That might lead to a free-wheeling affair in which Ghana wins by more than one.

On the one hand, settling for a tie when they had the game won is a huge letdown. On the other, I think Klinsman will use it to keep them sharp going into their last game. They got past Ghana despite a bunch of mistakes. They should have won today if not for two major mistakes. They can keep improving, which might be a good mindset to be in going into the knockout stage.