Breaking Down the USA’s World Cup 2014 Group Stage Opponents

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: December 6, 2013

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Much of the hype preceding Friday’s 2014 World Cup draw was the possibility of the United States men’s national team being drawn into a “group of death.”

Well, that is exactly what happened to the U.S. as they were drawn into group G with Germany, Ghana and Portugal.

Here is a breakdown of each of the USA’s group stage opponents.

 

Ghana

The U.S. will open the 2014 World Cup against Ghana—the same team that ended the U.S. World Cup runs in 2006 and 2010. The reaction to drawing this familiar foe from U.S. fans ran the gamut, with some excited at the prospect of exorcising old demons and some terrified of what the Black Stars’ combination of speed and skill will do to the U.S.’ inexperienced and unproven defense.



In the 2006 World Cup, the U.S. went into the final game of the group stage needing a win against Ghana to advance to the knockout round, but they fell 2-1. In 2010, the U.S. faced Ghana in the Round of 16 only three days after its exhilarating win over Algeria in the final game of the group-stage play. Once again, the U.S. lost 2-1.

Beyond those two direct meetings at the World Cup, the U.S.-Ghana rivalry has surfaced in other ways. In the 2012 U-20 World Cup, the U.S. was utterly dominated by Ghana, losing 4-1. And, in 2014 World Cup qualifying, Egypt, coached by former American coach Bob Bradley, lost to Ghana 7-3 in a home-and-home playoff.

Ghana’s attack in 2014 World Cup qualifying was led by Asamoah Gyan—the same player who put the nail in the U.S.’ coffin in extra time in 2010.

While some might be relishing the chance of this rematch, this game—arguably the easiest of the U.S.’ group-stage opponents—will be very difficult to say the least.

 

Portugal

On June 21, the U.S. will face its second opponent in ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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