FIFA World Cup: 2014 Promises to Bring Intense Competition

The whole planet is waiting in nervous anticipation for what has been deemed the toughest FIFA World Cup in history; Brazil 2014 is looking difficult for many national teams, including team USA who has found themselves in the “group of death.”

South Africa 2010’s “group of death” included Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, and North Korea. This summer Portugal has once again landed in the most difficult group of the tournament along with Germany, the United States, and Ghana; all of whom advanced from their respective groups in 2010. These four top-level teams will face off in group G and only two teams will advance at the end of the preliminary round.

American fans knew it wouldn’t be easy when they discovered that the lowest ranked team in the group, (which should technically be the easiest game of the three), was Ghana; the same team responsible for USA’s elimination in both 2006 and 2010. This is the third consecutive time the two teams will face off in decisive World Cup matches, and as a result a tournament rivalry has developed between the two sides. Nevertheless I feel this game will really be the key for team USA’s chances of advancing. Ghana is the lowest ranked team in the group, and a victory is needed if either side hoped to advance. A draw is not an acceptable outcome for either side, and offense should be the main focus against the African powerhouse of Ghana.

Should the United States get their desired outcome from the Ghana game, Portugal is the next step. A draw or even a win in this game is truly achievable for team USA, and not too ridiculous of a proposition either. Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge offensive threat, but if he can be shut down by the American defense, a scoreless draw would actually be a fantastic outcome for USA.

I’m not usually one to be pessimistic, even in the group of death, but the Germany game is the only match USA can be prepared to lose. Thee three points earned by the victor in this match is necessary to make it past number 2 ranked Germany a quick counter-attacking style of the German squad will give the young, relatively inexperienced American defense trouble. USA should hold back and keep the score as low as possible for the sake of goal differential, but a win and a draw in the first two matches could very well be enough to advance to the knockout stages as long as they lose to Germany by less than the other teams in the group.

The good news is that if team USA can advance from group stages, there’s a strong possibility that the toughest games of the tournament are behind them. With Ghana, Portugal, and Germany all in the opening stages, Brazil 2014 – if viewed through rose colored glasses – could actually be a strengthening and team-building experience for coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the American squad.