United States' Group of Death Survival Kit.

United States soccer didn't need a win to get into the knockout stages. United States didn't need a draw to get into the knockout stages. They just needed some help from Portugal, and U.S. got it as Portugal won 2-1 against Ghana including a game-winning goal by Cristiano Ronaldo. The United States lost 1-0 and finished 1-1-1 in the Group of Death. But the fact of the matter, they are through to the round of 16. No one expected it to happen. People thought this team was too young to get through the Group of Death, but they are through ready to make some noise against Belgium. 

It was pretty evident by the second half of the game that playing in Manaus wore these guys out. They seemed pretty tired and it's really fortunate the only allowed on goal against the attacking German team. Additionally, the fact, they only got three days to prepare instead of Germany's four, didn't probably help things either to the struggle with the United States legs. But they got through and now have five days off before taking on Belgium, the dark horse of the tournament. What should be realized is now things can get completely crazy, and everything is up for grabs.

It shouldn't be lost on people is the United States played well in this game. The goal they gave up would have been scored on any team left in the tournament. It was a clinical finish by Thomas Muller, one of the best players in the world.  Other than that, United States' defense held strong for most of the game. Omar Gonzalez worried a bunch of people when Jurgen Klinsmann put him into the starting eleven, and Gonzalez hung in there pretty strong for the United States. Brad Davis in the back was another story, but for the most part, the United States play a pretty clean game. The other positive is Jermaine Jones, arguably one of the best players for the U.S. thus far, did not pick up a second yellow. Further, Kyle Beckerman was dangerously close to getting a second yellow late in the game, and he held strong. Hopefully, the U.S. is at full strength for Tuesday. 

The only way where they are completely at full strength would be having Jozy Altidore on the starting eleven or available to come off the bench. We are three weeks removed from the hamstring strain. That's right around the heal time depending on how severe the strain actually is plus we do need to factor in the weather as well. I feel like there is a small chance that he starts the game for the United States, but I feel 50/50 he might be able to go in as a substitute which could be a huge card to play for the U.S. late in the game against Belgium especially if the game is tied or the U.S. is trailing in the game. Altidore could give them a much-needed boost. 

Do the United States have a shot in this game?  You're damn right they do. Belgium is full of talent, but like the U.S., they are very young and haven't been on this stage before. The first 20 minutes of the match will be huge for each team. If Belgium gets off to a quick start, they could be off and running feeling good. Belgium has been terrific defensively in the group stages only giving up one goal, and the goal came off a penalty kick. But Algeria, South Korea and Russia are not a group of world-beaters here. It is not like they were dealing with Group D or even Group C. They played in one of the weakest groups therefore it is hard for us to judge this team right now. 

The knockout stages are more like the NCAA Tournament than anything else. It is a winner take all match with a chance for overtime goals and penalty kicks. Things are going to get very tight when watching the United States as well as other teams left in the tournament. You thought your nerves were bad in a game against Portugal. Imagine them being 100 times worse on Tuesday afternoon. If the United States finds a way to win, they have a probable Round of 8 matchup with Lionel Messi and the boys from Argentina which would be another story.  

Survive and advance. 

Charlie. 

The Disappointing Draw: United States Lets an Opportunity Slip By

Faint chants of U-S-A U-S-A begin to be heard at Jack's American Pub on a jam-packed Brady Street in the 95th minute. There are some already tasting victory and advancement to the knockout stages. I am patiently watching the clock thinking it's too early for chants, just finish and then we can celebrate like banshees. All the sudden, Cristiano Ronaldo tears down the wing and puts in a perfect ball allowing Silvestre Varela to score the equalizer in the latest regulation goal in World Cup history. You could hear a pin drop at the one-time rambunctious bar.

Me?  I went into a full squat buried below everyone. I wanted to crawl into the fetal position and not wake up for the next couple of hours. Did that really happen?  There are no words for the first thoughts after the game except for the fact everyone wanted to drink the pain away as quick as possible. A stomach-punch ending with a great game. United States are still second in the group with a lot that can happen. Even though the final result was a nightmare, the game and the atmosphere was perfect.  

It is really hard to think about the positives of the game given what happened at the conclusion. If the United States tied Portugal 1-1, we would probably talk about the variety of missed opportunities throughout the game rather than wondered what Michael Bradley was thinking with the ball and an open field in front of him. If he runs around for 30 seconds, Portugal cannot muster an attack and the United States is through to the Round of 16. Instead, United States will be fighting for their lives in hopes their trip to Brazil last longer than just a mere two weeks. Bradley had a better game, but it seems more and more like he is developing into the goat of this World Cup for the United States team. 

He had the horrid game against Ghana, and Sunday, Bradley played some better balls yet still had the massive brain fart in the final minute, something he did as well against Ghana. Bradley also had a wide open net with just a defender to beat and instead of delivering a swift kick in, he finessed the ball leading to Portugal preserving their one goal advantage. Bradley is one of the best players on this United States roster, but it seems like the moment is too big for him. He cannot handle being the second star next to Clint Dempsey. Bradley needs to play with more composure especially in the late parts of the game.

Bradley wasn't the only one whom had trouble in Manaus. Geoff Cameron really had a poor game having responsibility for both goals. Cameron had a horrible ball allowing Nani to get an opportunity for goal in the early goings of the game. Further, he lost Varela allowing him to slip behind and lead to the shocking header. Cameron will probably not get pulled from the lineup, but a case could be make he doesn't really deserve to be in the starting eleven after his performance on Sunday afternoon.

Bradley and Cameron might have had bad moments, but let's not take away from how well the United States play today from the 6th minute to the 94th minute. United States attacked more and had more shots in the first half than they did for the entire game against Ghana. Unlike Bradley, Jermaine Jones has been one of the best players for the United States, and he finally made his scoring presence felt with a great strike to equalize the United States. They didn't stop with one goal. U.S. kept attacking leading to DeAndre Yellin starting the break that led to Clint Dempsey getting his second goal of this World Cup putting the United States ahead in the 81st minute. All they had to do was hold on like that Wilson Phillips song and they would be in the final 16. 

As noted, they were denied that opportunity, and once again, a friendly reminder that sports can be the bane of our existence leaving us wonder why we care so much about grown men kicking around a black and white ball.  The equalizing goal and the go-ahead goal feature the complete opposite reaction and why we love sports. It cannot always be rainbows and unicorns. Hardships are involved all the time and usually you would like to avoid them being public. That being said, one of the best decisions I made was to find my way to Brady Street for the game amid a terrible hangover and staying out til 4 AM the night before. 

Never in my life have I seen a crowd of people like that on a street in Milwaukee. The police had to shut down part of the street because so many people were flooding the streets. Nomad had three different places to watch the game, all three were at capacity. According to a guy I spoke with they sold 500 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Guess the whole racism thing didn't really make a dent in their bottom line, eh? Nomad wasn't the only bar packed as every place seemed to be wall-to-wall with people. It made me think could a Milwaukee Brewers World Series run lead to this type of pandemonium?    

 We found our way to Jack's where people were covered head to toe in American apparel. There were chants, there was happiness. The last time I celebrated something to that effect was Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb in late December. But it was a great feeling jumping up and down celebrating with everyone with chants of USA reigning down and momentarily deafening the in-game audio. The only thing better would have been an actual victory because the celebration would have been going to the wee hours of the night and this blog wouldn't have been posted yet. It is almost like the sports gods giving us a sample of the nectar of pure unfiltered happiness, but not the whole thing. That will have to wait for another time. 

United States needs a draw or a win to move on or a variety of tiebreakers need to happen with Ghana-Portugal for the team to advance. No one is ready to be done with the American soccer experience. It is just getting started. 

Charlie.