I know. There was a lot of exciting World Cup action yesterday. Xherdan Shaqiri bagged the second hat trick of the tournament as Switzerland defeated Honduras 3-0. France probably should have scored a few times against a curiously lackadaisical Ecuador. Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina completed a perfect group stage with a 3-2 win over Nigeria. Bosnia-Herzegovina ended their World Cup with pride, and made sure Nigeria wasn't kept from the fun, by taking care of Iran 3-1.
So now France will play Nigeria on Monday at noon while Switzerland takes on Argentina on Tuesday.
But all that feels rather irrelevant to me because the USA has their biggest game ever coming up today at high noon. A win or draw and the USA advance from the group of death. A loss coupled with a significant Ghana win or Portuguese blowout will force them to pack their bags.
I'll be honest. At the time of writing this, it's 1am. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm scared. And I will not write objectively about this match. My brain has been compromised. My heart has taken over. In fact, my inability to contain my scared, nervous excitement has manifested itself in the number of typographical errors I keep having to go back and correct. Or maybe that's just the late night and the caffeine. Who really knows for sure.
The game against Portugal gave me hope for this side. Sure, we were all crushed when Ronaldo dropped in a perfect ball for Varela to head in. We all had victory in our grasp only to have it snatched away in the dying seconds. But a draw against Portugal was the expectation. A draw against Portugal was hardly a step backwards. In fact, it was a step forwards. The USA were not expected to have a chance at the round of 16. Now, here they are, only needing one little point to send them through.
Three points would make it all the sweeter, however. That would put the Stars and Stripes on top of the group of death. That was something that nobody could have predicted. How can we make that happen? Two things will give the USA a chance at defeating the number two ranked team in the world: defense and attacking the flanks.
First, and foremost, comes defense. The USA can't afford to be flubbing clearances like the one that Geoff Cameron botched and led directly to Portugal's first goal. They can't turn their back on attacking forwards like they did when Portugal tied the game late. They have to be sturdy and disciplined at the back in order to stop the likes of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Philip Lahm, or anyone else. they have to keep a watchful eye on them at all times to keep them from running rampant in attack. Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman will be trusted to hold down the defensive midfield and keep the Germans bottled up in the center of the pitch. Despite Jones scoring on Sunday, he will not be trusted to handle much offense today.
The second key is attacking at the flanks of the German defense. Germany has deployed two make shift full backs in Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes. Both are converted center backs being used to plug Germany's primary hole. The USA will need Graham Zusi and Brad Davis to press hard when they are on the ball. They need to be accurate with crosses aimed at Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley. They might even be counted on to take a few shots themselves.
Then there is the one thing that USA Soccer has seemingly never had before, the support of an entire nation. This World Cup has shown that the people of the United States have a passion for this sport and a passion for their national team. This is shown by record TV ratings, large viewing parties all across the nation, and the blowup of Twitter during these first two matches. This team has a whole country to play for, and it is something they have never had before, and you can tell they love it.
The USA have already overcome long odds by getting a point against the Portuguese and taking them all against Ghana. There is no reason to think they can't defy the expectations of millions around the world at least one more time. I said before, I cannot write about this match objectively, so I can hardly expect to predict it without my heart getting involved. They best I can do is go with what I hope for, which is a 1-1 draw. That will see the USA through to the round of 16, where they will take their chances against a lesser opponent.
Who will that lesser opponent be? Probably Belgium. As I expect them to see of South Korea by a 1-0 score. Joining the Belgians in the next stage will probably be Russia. I think they take care of business against Algeria by winning 3-2.
In the other Group G game, one that can mean so, so much to the USA, I see a Portugal winning. Ghana are currently in shambles. Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari have been sent home for conduct detrimental to the team. Both Portugal and Ghana will both go all out trying to score goals, thus not protecting their own as well. Both put a pair in for a 3-2 Portugal win.
The day has come, America. Get ready. And believe we will win.
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