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. 

Red White and Payback for the United States

United States Soccer started their quest for the World Cup on Monday night against Ghana, the consistent thorn in their sides for the last two World Cups. Ghana knocked the United States out of the World Cup in 2006 and 2010.  The Black Stars had a chance to do some major damage to United States' hopes to make it to the knockout stages continuing their infliction of pain to United States soccer and supporters. But U.S. redeemed themselves in a major way with a 2-1 victory in the final moments with a big goal from 21-year old John Brooks in one of the grittiest wins in United States Soccer history getting a much needed three points.

United States had one of the earliest answers in the history of the World Cup with Clint Dempsey scoring in the first minute of the game. This was an ideal start for United States as they struggled in the past World Cup games with giving up an early game. It felt great to be on the other end of the early goal scoring. Everyone had wondered what the ceiling was for this United States team with a mix of hope and wonderment with playing the Group of Death. Dempsey adding the first goal of the game so quickly gave everyone hope from the get-go.

Although after Dempsey's goal, Ghana began to attack with great ferocity at the net trying to equalize the game. The Black Stars ended up with 21 shots yet only three of them were only on goal. This is the most shots taken by a losing team thus far in the World Cup. Ghana kept banging on the door. Everyone kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it happened finally in the 82nd minute with Andre Ayew having a beautiful goal to tie the match. Suddenly, dejection once again set in for the United States against Ghana. Even though it was a tied match, United States acted like they lost the lead for a couple minutes and then John Anthony Brooks happened.



Two minutes later, United States had a set piece leading to the young gun Brooks netting the go-ahead goal for Team USA. This seemed like the vindication for Jurgen Klinsmann. He took a great deal of shit for some of his decisions along with leaving Landon Donovan and having a guy like Brooks on the roster. Klinsmann even got questioned on bringing Brooks on versus Omar Gonzalez. Further, the player whom set up the goal, Graham Zusi was another Klinsmann's decision. We are not there, but we are getting close to having a 'In Klinsmann We Trust' kind of thing. It is too bad Klinsmann didn't go with a DX suck it chop after the goal by Brooks. U.S. were able to hold on for 10 minutes getting the victory for the team.



The bandwagon for United States Soccer was already pretty full, but it appears like we are filling the whole damn bus. It will look like settlers heading out West in covered wagons. It already seems like soccer fever caught most people, but add the fact, United States got a victory plus a weekend late afternoon date with Portugal, it will be a full-blown bandwagon festival. This isn't a bad thing. More and more people are talking about how much they are enjoying this tournament which is fantastic for the development of soccer in the United States. World Cup is seeing all sorts of scoring in combination with dramatic games along with some surprises plus add United States early success, everyone pushed their chips in. It is a beautiful thing to see.

Hate to be a wet blanket, but this doesn't ensure the United States will be in the knockout stages. They still have to deal with a Portugal team backed into the corner in the depths of the Amazon The unlikelihood of having Jozy Altidore as he seems out for multiple weeks, and Klinsmann's decision on whom will play the striker position. Further, how the other players will dealt with Manaus as many players seemed to deal with cramps through the game. There is still much more work to be done with this team, but U.S. getting three points was massive.

This team is not out of the jungle, but there is much more glimmers of sunshine then there was before the game kicked off on Monday.

Charlie.

Jurgen Klinsmann's Appreciated Honesty

In every realm of sports and possibly corporate America, the leaders of these teams try to sugarcoat things when it might not work out the way people want it. The coaches, managers or CEO's come up with the most politically correct answer possible to make it seem like everything is alright even though things are on the verge of heading southward. The reason being is no one wants their team or the people whom follow them to have a defeatist attitude. But once in awhile, it is nice to hear some refreshing honesty. Jurgen Klinsmann, the manager of the U.S. Men's National Team, said multiple times in the last two weeks that the United States has an unrealistic chance at winning the World Cup. For me, it's better to be realistic than have our collective heads in the clouds.

The overreaction to this topic is laughable. Many people are rushing to pedestals saying how this is a terrible way to start the World Cup for United States soccer, and what a bad message it sends to the players along with their fanbase. ESPN's Michael Wilbon went to the hottest of hot take to tell Klinsmann 'to get the hell out of America.'  All of the sudden, it is un-American to making an honest comment. Isn't honesty one of the major pillars of the United States of America or am I missing something here? Klinsmann making comments about the actual realistic expectations of his team should be viewed as a breath of fresh air more than anything else. It would be great to hear Mike Pettine, head coach of the Cleveland Browns, to say "It's highly unrealistic we are winning the Super Bowl." Most Browns fans know it already so why not embrace it?  

Klinsmann did not say 'There is no chance this team is making it out of group stages, we are completely f---ed.'  If he said that, we can have a discussion about why he is managing this team, but instead, he said, it is highly unlikely the United States is the best futbol team in the world.  The people who have a problem with what Klinsmann said believe Brazil, Germany, Argentina or Spain are worse than United States. Grasp your head around that for a second and remember those people are out of your goddamn mind. Grasp your head around that one for a second. Klinsmann recognizes this therefore he adds these quotes to lower the expectations of the United States soccer fanbase. Don't ask for the world right now, it is not the United States time.  

The worst part of the whole thing is if the United States find its way to the Knockout stages, there will be media members making columns and talking on the radio about doing it to defy their manager. That statement will be bullshit when it happens even though the national media will make it look like a talking point for a couple of days. Further if United States makes some improbable run to the Final Four of soccer, it would be a true Cinderella run comparable to what we have seen in March Madness from a high-level mid-major. United States would be Butler basketball from a couple years past. Bet Brad Stevens didn't think his team had a realistic chance at making the National Championship final, but he probably never said it out loud.

In a way, Klinsmann put pressure on himself for 2018. People now have the idea that their year will be in South Korea even though so many things can and will happen in four years. But let's give a standing ovation to the blunt honesty Klinsmann brings to his job.

Charlie.