The Germany-Ghana draw on Saturday in the FIFA World Cup blew open Group G, a.k.a. the Group of Death. And it presented a golden opportunity to the US national team, who take on Portugal on Sunday afternoon (6 pm ET, ESPN/Univision/CBC).
The math is simple: Win and they're in.
Right now, these are the current standings for Group G:
<strong>Nation</strong> |
<strong>G</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>D</strong> |
<strong>GF</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
<strong>Pts.</strong> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/germany">Germany</a> |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/united-states">USA</a> |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/ghana">Ghana</a> |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
-1 |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/portugal">Portugal</a> |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
-4 |
0 |
So if the USA beat Portugal, they will have 6 points, which would guarantee that they finish in one of the top two spots in the group. It would also eliminate Portugal from contention.
If the US tie Portugal would throw the group even more wide open, and all but require the Americans to get a result against Germany on the third matchday on Thursday, June 26. Basically, if the US tie with Portugal and then win or tie against Germany, they would advance.
If the US lose to Portugal, things get very messy. The Group of Death would truly live up to its name in this case, as the scenarios for advancement for everyone would be extremely complicated heading into the final matchday. Too complicated to lay out clearly at this point, in fact.
We'll keep you updated with the latest immediately after the USA-Portugal game finishes.
Check out MLSsoccer.com's LIVE USA-Portugal preview show, Sunday, 11 am ET
