USMNT Picked To Escape “Group of Death”

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Miracles certainly are possible, even for the US Men’s National Team. Thousands of fans grumbled and said several choice words when it was revealed that the US was drawn in the same group as Portugal, Germany and Ghana for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The “Group of Death” as it has been deemed, certainly features four teams that are more than capable of making it through into the knockout stage. Unfortunately for them, only two teams get to move on.

Both players and coaches on the US National team have been more than optimistic with their chances of progressing into the second round of play. What is even more interesting though, is that former players and coaches not from the US are also pegging the Yanks as one of the two teams to move on.

It is obvious, Germany is going through, because well, it is Germany. It also does not help that their offense is the most lethal attack in the entire world, sorry Brazil, Spain and Argentina. With one of the two positions already locked-up, it will certainly be a slug-fest for the second position in the group.

In a recent interview with Kick TV, former Bayern Munich legend and CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, actually believes the US has a much higher chance of progressing instead of Portugal and Ghana. Rummenigge stated that he truly thinks that because the US has Jurgen Klinsmann as their coach, the team will be able to escape the “Group of Death.”

“I believe they have an interesting team and I know Jurgen Klinsmann, who is totally motivated,” stated Rummenigge.

Is having Klinsmann enough to help the team advance though? It certainly is an interesting question, but a little far-fetched if you ask me. Believe me, having a good coach is vital to any teams success, but having high-quality players is also crucial.

The United States does have several players that are capable of leading the team into the knockout round, but does the team

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have enough fire power? Fortunately, the US has goalkeeper Tim Howard, who is currently playing outside his mind for Everton in the EPL. Howard will certainly be a driving reason for the teams World Cup success. The only problem for Howard though, is that the four players lined-up in front of him may not be on the same level of talent that he has at Everton. That topic can be debated for hours, but is not the point that is trying to be made right now.

Howard is one of the best goalkeepers at the up-coming World Cup, even with the unsteady group of players surrounding him. His time at Everton has certainly enhanced his abilities and developed him into an elite player. How he produces during this World Cup is absolutely crucial not only for his career, but for the growth of US soccer in America and across the global.

US Soccer president Sunil Gulati spoke in a recent interview during the halftime of the Chicago Fire, New England Revolution match, on the teams chances of progressing.

“Everyone wants to get through the first round: That’s our goal.” “So get through the first round and then we dream about more.”

Dream indeed, but is the US moving through the first round only a dream? History tells us that the chances of the team progressing are certainly slim, especially considering the teams group draw.

Ghana has eliminated the US the past two World Cup finals, making the teams first game against the African nation, that much more crucial. If the US can get a positive result in their first match, that will be the driving force behind their potential success against Portugal and Germany.

As it stands, the US has enough talent to make it out of the group stage. What it truly boils down to is three deciding factors.

1. Can the US find consistent goal-scorers?

2. Can the defense stop the powerful attacks of Ghana, Portugal and Germany?

3. Can Tim Howard keep his current run of form and help the team stay in games?

These three factors certainly are asking a lot of the US squad that still is trying to figure out who is even getting on the plane to Brazil. Klinsmann does have an uphill battle in front of him, there is no doubting that one bit. Thankfully for the US, his knowledge and experience will be a huge factor in how well the team performs when the game is on the line.

Overall, the US is in a prime position to surprise many people and could finally be recognized as a great soccer country if the team can advance from their dangerously talented group.