The live draw for the 2014 World Cup will be shown on ESPN2 starting at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow - and probably some web feeds at FIFA.com or elsewhere too.  This draw will determine who plays who in the opening round of next year's World Cup in Brazil.  Plus, the event is a Brazilian production - so it might be ridiculously awesome like a Brazilian soap opera if we're lucky. 

 

Here's some more about tomorrow's draw and a 2014 World Cup rundown:

 

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/final-draw/

 

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/12/4/5081552/world-cup-draw-2014

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1874015-2014-world-cup-draw-critical-start-time-live-stream-and-tv-info-for-fans

I really hope the US isn't in the group of death. We have a good team, but I really don't want to see us play 3 equal or better teams in group play. Also I hope Ghana isn't in our group.

I have little hope for us (US).  Germany is my B team.  It's fun to watch anyways. 

 

Whats the fun story line this year? 

I really hope the US isn't in the group of death. We have a good team, but I really don't want to see us play 3 equal or better teams in group play. Also I hope Ghana isn't in our group.

Aww, I'd forgotten about that Ghana loss.

 

Whats the fun story line this year? 

Brazil and Argentina are usually lots of fun.  But since this tournament is in Brazil, maybe not so much this time.  If Argentina fails to win a WC held in South America, it would be a national tragedy.  And if Brazil fails to win a WC hosted by Brazil, then this would be a mega-apocalypto-tragedy-national-major!  I'm not sure that level of angst is entertaining.

Son of a b*tch! Ghana again! Our arch enemies! And with Germany...

Son of a b*tch! Ghana again! Our arch enemies! And with Germany...

 

You just had to go and jinx with Ghana didn't you?  However, you can't blamed for the "Group of Death" it looks like the US drew.  The US is in Group G which contains:

 

Germany - #2 FIFA ranking

United States - #13

Portugal - #14 - which features Ronaldo, one of the best strikers in the world

Ghana - #23 - with that history of beating the US

 

So it'll be a challenge to advance out of this group.

 

FYI: I found in 2010 that wikipedia (of all places) turned out to be the best web source for basic info on that World Cup.  I'm finding the same to be the case for the 2014 World Cup.  So here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup

About the only time I watch soccer. If it's not USA, bring on Italia!

^ me too. it's really the most exciting sports event of all around nyc, really gets electric around here & its a lot of fun.

 

if not the usa, then viva argentina por yo.

 

i see via wiki that goal line tech will be used in the world cup for the first time (computer chip inside the soccer ball).

also that the usa's very first match is vs ghana in natal.

 

My grandparents hail from Italy, so they are always my close second. I also root for the soccer-roo's and Costa Rica. Both of them have it very tough. Needless to say I will b spending alot of time at the Old Angle

 

The first match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is tomorrow at 4:00pm (Eastern Time) Brazil vs. Croatia.

 

United States schedule

 

*Monday, June 16 at 6:00pm vs. Ghana in Natal.

 

*Sunday, June 22 at 6:00 pm vs. Portugal in Manaus.

 

*Thursday, June 26 at 12:00 pm vs. Germany in Recife.

 

The United States is in the most difficult group of the tournament with valid competitors in each of the four slots. Germany is one of the best teams in the world. Portugal has arguably the best player in the world (though the rest of their team's depth is about on par with USA). Ghana has spoiled our last two World Cups. Once in group stages and again in the round of 16.

 

There will likely be a lot of protests to the World Cup throughout the next month. You can find out why from John Oliver on his new show, Last Week Tonight.

 

 

Also, Five Thirty Eight is doing a pretty good job of analyzing the statistics of the teams competing and predicting their performance. We'll see how accurate they are in the coming weeks.

 

http://fivethirtyeight.com/tag/world-cup/

I have a feeling we won't make it out of June

I think we will win it all

The easy thing is to say we won't make it out of group play...but watching the documentaries on ESPN...klinnsman reminds me of Herb Brooks. I think we surprise some folks

The opening match for the USMNT is today at 6.  The other two teams in our group (Germany vs. Portugal) have just kicked off.  So the US drew into the infamous "Group of Death".  Or not depending upon whose rankings you use - http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/news/article/2014/04/14/group-g-no-longer-the-group-of-death

 

But official "Group of Death" or not, its a very difficult group to be in.  Germany is a 2nd ranked team, Portugal's the 4th ranked team by FIFA and features arguably the world's best player in Cristiano Ronaldo.  Ghana's lower ranked at 37 than the US at 13.  But Ghana is the team that's knocked the US out of the last two World Cups.

 

Because of all that, the US match against Ghana today seems like an elimination game.  Many believe that if the US doesn't get a win against Ghana (and 3 points in the standings), they might not advance out of this opening group.

Germany just finished a shocking 4-0 demolition of Portugal.  This could help the USMNT.  Assuming Germany defeats Ghana in their second game (which is a good assumption), Germany might have their advancement clinched by their final match against us.  Meaning, the US might face Germany's B-team.  Plus, a Portugal's defender got a red card in today's match and won't be able to play against their next match against us.

 

Of course, the US still must win against Ghana today for this scenario to work in our favor.

Gut wrenching 2-1 win for the US over Ghana.

 

Clint Dempsey stuns Ghana with a goal in the very first minute.  Then the US holds on for another 81 until Ghana scores an equalizer in the 82nd minute.  But the US regained momentum and got a corner kick a few minutes later.  In the 86th minute, Graham Zusi's well-struck corner was headed in by John Brooks for the game-winner!

 

Great win.  Good start.  And with Germany's trouncing of Portugal, the "Group of Death" has now set up nicely for us.  Next up, Portugal. Then, Germany.

Gut wrenching 2-1 win for the US over Ghana.

 

Clint Dempsey stuns Ghana with a goal in the very first minute.  Then the US holds on for another 81 until Ghana scores an equalizer in the 82nd minute.  But the US regained momentum and got a corner kick a few minutes later.  In the 86th minute, Graham Zusi's well-struck corner was headed in by John Brooks for the game-winner!

 

Great win.  Good start.  And with Germany's trouncing of Portugal, the "Group of Death" has now set up nicely for us.  Next up, Portugal. Then, Germany.

 

That was NOT pretty....but hell yeah!!!!!!

So let's say we tie port and lose to Germany would we make it out?

I think if Port wins against Ghana, and we tied Port but lose to Germany, Port and USA will have four points both.  The tie breaker would be goal differential.  USA is sitting pretty since Port got blown out 4-0. 

Cool

Ghana is very good. I can see them playing Portugal and Germany very tough. They dominated US- lucky to win

Ghana is very good, but they didn't play well last night either.  Most of the balls they put in the box were completely wasted and they took countless long shots with really none of them being effective at all.  The goal they scored was very impressive though.  They have talent and the ability to score goals, but they didn't seem to be playing well together for most of the game last night.  Hopefully they play poorly in their next game against Germany so that Germany can secure a spot in the round of 16 before they play the US. 

 

The US got a great, skillful early goal and looked like they would have numerous other chances in the half, then Altidore went down.  Losing him in front hurt our ability to move the ball down the field and control possession.  As frustrating as he is the watch sometimes, he is very skillful at collecting long balls and retaining possession until reinforcements arrive.  Bradley was also terrible last night.  The one guy I thought we could count on to be a stabilizing force in the middle and keep pushing the ball up the field just didn't have it last night.  Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the skillful Ghana midfielders, maybe it was the inexperienced striker playing up front.  I don't know what it was, but Bradley was bad.  Hopefully he gets his act together before our next match, because we need him to create opportunities like this:  http://gfycat.com/LikableSparklingEyas

I was pleasantly surprised to find an AM station broadcasting the game (1540). I'm glad we pulled it off. Even if we don't get much further in regards to team points, the payback is sweet.

FiveThirtyEight has reported on the odds of the US advancing past group play.

 

Here’s the Americans’ outlook, in brief:

 

Win twice, advance to the knockout stage.

Win once and draw once, advance.

Draw twice, advance.

Win once and lose once, almost certainly advance (there’s one highly unlikely mathematical exception).

Lose twice, and almost certainly go out (there’s one highly unlikely mathematical exception).

Draw once and lose once, and it gets complicated. It’s considerably better for the U.S. to draw against Portugal and lose to Germany than the other way around.

 

Today's matches are:

Belgium vs. Algeria - 12 pm

Brazil vs. Mexico - 3 pm

Russia vs. South Korea - 6 pm

Last night's win (finally) over pesky Ghana was sweet... I'd really like to beat Portugal... Germany's going to be a load, however.

I moved all of the talk of the USA's World Cup performance against Ghana into the 2014 FIFA World Cup topic so everything can be in a single location and there aren't multiple separate conversations.

Here's a fun graph of the odds of a USA win, Ghana win, and draw throughout the match. From an ESPN Twitter account.

 

Fun video posted at the Columbus Crew website.  Shot during the largest outdoor viewing party in Columbus at the parking lot behind Fadó Irish Pub at Easton:

 

http://www.thecrew.com/news/2014/06/united-states-vs-ghana-fans-erupt-following-john-brooks-goal

Mexico tied Brazil 0-0 in a really tense game today. That leaves each team with 4 points. Cameroon and Croatia battle it out next to determine who has the opportunity to challenge the two favorites for a spot in the top two of Group A. In a highly unlikely scenario, if Croatia and Cameroon tie today, and then both win their matches against Mexico and Brazil (respectively), they could unseat both teams if they win the tie-breakers. While it is highly unlikely, it is possible.

 

A high scoring tie game today would make things interesting for the final matches of the group.

The Mighty Have Fallen:  Defending World Cup champs Spain have been eliminated after losing their first two games!

Fourth time in history this has happened. To find the last time it happened, you would need to go ALLLLL the way back to.... 2010. After winning the World Cup in 2006, Italy was knocked out of group play.

Update from the "Group of Champions":  Uruguay, Italy, England and Costa Rica.

 

Costa Rica?  Yeah. Costa Rica.  They beat Uruguay 3-1 in their first game and just beat Italy 1-0.  Costa Rica is the first team to advance from this group.  Knocking out England (who lost their first two games) in the process.  Costa Rica was good in their regional qualifiers - but no one expected them to advance from this group!

I have a question I am sure one of you knows the answer to:

 

 

Once a team has been eliminated in the Group Match round, do they still finish playing the Group Match schedule before flying home to the their respective Motherland.

 

 

England was just eliminated from the World Cup moments ago when Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0, but they have another game schedule on June 24. Is that game still on?

 

 

Or better yet: Spain was eliminated when they lost to Chile on Wednesday. Do they still play Australia on Monday?

 

 

I cannot for the life of remember what happened 4 years ago

 

 

Thanks!

^Yes. Every team is required to play 3 matches in group play regardless of whether they are eliminated before the end of the third game.

 

EDIT: Think of it like being mathematically eliminated from the postseason in MLB, NFL, NHL, or NBA. They still finish out the "season" even though they can't play for the championship.

I have a question I am sure one of you knows the answer to:

 

Once a team has been eliminated in the Group Match round, do they still finish playing the Group Match schedule before flying home to the their respective Motherland.

 

England was just eliminated from the World Cup moments ago when Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0, but they have another game schedule on June 24. Is that game still on?

 

Or better yet: Spain was eliminated when they lost to Chile on Wednesday. Do they still play Australia on Monday?

 

The answers are: Yes, Yes and Yes.

 

The 32 qualifying teams must play a minimum of 3 games (i.e. Group Round games).  Sometimes the final game for the eliminated teams factor into other teams in the group advancing or not.  (Although I think Spain and England's final game does not.)  Plus even if it doesn't, they've already sold tickets and booked the venue, haven't they?

 

EDIT: I see ryanlammi also answered.  I was also thinking the same thing about his American pro leagues example.

i think they all have to play the 3 matches, but not 100% sure. our american soccer knowledge lol!

 

^Yes. Every team is required to play 3 matches in group play regardless of whether they are eliminated before the end of the third game.

 

EDIT: Think of it like being mathematically eliminated from the postseason in MLB, NFL, NHL, or NBA. They still finish out the "season" even though they can't play for the championship.

 

Awesome!

 

 

  YOU ROCK!!!!

The ENG-CR game is essentially meaningless.  Costa Rica has advanced regardless, and likely won the group unless Italy or Uruguay make up the goal difference (Italy needs to win by 4 and Uruguay would need to win by 5), and England is out.  The real interesting match will be Italy v. Uruguay.  Italy advances with a win or a draw, while Uruguay has to win to advance.

 

Also, so far the Mexico v. Croatia game is set up the same way.  There will probably be a few more before the last games of group play.

 

One final thing, If the USA wins against Portugal this Sunday they will almost certainly advance.  6:00pm game.  I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!!

The U.S./Portugal game ended in a 2-2 draw.  It was one of those "could have been worse/could have been better" games. 

 

- Could have been worse:  Portugal goes up 1-0 early in the game with a lucky bounce goal (with a very good finish) in the 5th minute.

 

- Could have been better:  The U.S. fights back to re-tie in the 64th minute on a zinger outside shot by Jermaine Jones.  Then takes a 2-1 lead in the 81st minute on a pass from Graham Zusi that was "gutted in" by Clint Dempsey.  But the win was denied in the 95th minute when a Cristiano Ronaldo crossing pass was headed in for the 2-2 draw.  This Portugal goal was literally on the last play of the game!

 

Recap and video highlights at http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/1876074/united-states-2-2-portugal-varela-scores-late-equaliser-to-deny-usa

 

A win would have automatically advanced the U.S. into the Round of 16.  As it is, the U.S. is still in great shape to advance with (1) a win or draw against Germany; (2) a Portugal/Ghana draw; or even (3) a U.S. loss against Germany but advancing over Portugal or Ghana on goal differential (the U.S. is currently up 2 goals on Ghana and up 5 goals on Portugal.  Full tiebreaker scenarios at http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/6/22/5832970/world-cup-tiebreaker-rules-usa-germany-group-g

That's a glass-half full review. I was royally pissed we gave up that last-second goal.

That was a perfect ball.  Absolutely perfect.  Anybody other than Ronaldo and I might say it was pure luck.  If you want to be royally pissed, look to the first goal Portugal scored.  That was just sloppy defense.

In the Uruguay vs. Italy game today, Luis Suarez (Uruguay) is accused of biting an opponent.

 

 

Here is an image of Italy's Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder after the incident:

 

Also, this isn't his first time biting an opponent.

Oh wow. I only heard about it online. But that looks pretty conclusive.

Everyone loves Italian

 

 

- I wish I'd posted this before the Suarez biting incident (weird stuff), but I wanted to share the Daily Show and Colbert Report's comedic takes on the U.S./Portugal game.  The Daily Show worked the game into Monday night’s Iraq/Cheney “Mess O'Potamia - 300” segment, when Jon Stewart said:

 

Stewart: “Here’s what so upsetting about this guy (Cheney).  He acts like we were 20 seconds away from total victory in Iraq, when suddenly Obama just gives it away at midfield!  And then Osama Bin Laden crosses it and then ISIS heads it home!  GOD!!!  How did we blow that game!?!?!”

 

- But leave it to the greatest American patriot Stephen Colbert (just ask him) to sum the USMNT situation at http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/7bqhfd/team-usa-s-tragic-tie-with-portugal --- After recapping how the match ended, Colbert "chants" the situation still remaining for Team USA in the group stage:

 

Colbert: "We're No. 1!  As long as we beat Germany!  Also, we could tie them!  We'd still get through on points!  And we could even lose!  But then it comes down to math!  If Portugal beats Ghana!  By less than five goals!  Or Ghana beats Portugal!  By only one goal!  Then we'd advance!  On goal differential!  They could even tie!  That could still work!"

FIFA suspends striker Luis Suarez

 

Luis Suarez has been kicked out of the 2014 World Cup for his biting of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on June 24.

 

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Thursday morning suspended the Uruguay striker for nine official national team matches and also banned him from any soccer-related activities for four months, including prohibiting him from entering any soccer stadium.

 

And on top of all that, he was also fined a little more than $111,000.

 

Also,

 

Torrential rains in Recife, but FIFA says USMNT decider vs. Germany will go on

 

Flooding caused by torrential rains in Recife, Brazil, is threatening Thursday's decisive World Cup Group G match between the United States and Germany.

 

Constant rain overnight has led to widespread flooding and is seriously impacting fans' ability to get to Arena Pernambuco (pictured), located well outside of Recife.

 

Coming from the "Group of Death", Team USA is ... very much alive!

 

Advanced to the Sweet 16 (or Group of 16 if you prefer)

I got to watch most of the game with the Cleveland Outlaws at Merry Arts in Lakewood. It was boisterous crowd for a noon weekday game. Both bars were elbow to elbow, and the patio was mostly full.

 

They had both games on. A lot of guys saying, "I can't believe I am rooting for that F*** Ronaldo!".

 

Rhinehaus in Cincinnati was also packed. It reached capacity and had a one-out-one-in policy. Great to see the energy there.

Everybody remember "Freedom Fries"?  I had Patriot Waffles this morning.