Word Cup Today -- Day 15

Here we are, it has come to this. Back when the groups were drawn back in December, everyone looked at the USA draw in Group G, the "Group of Death" and said the ONLY way the USA gets out is with a win over Ghana (got that) a tie with Portugal (got that) and hold onto your ass vs. Germany. The ass holding begins at noon.

So, here's the long and the short of it. Johnny's not going into long winded tactical discussions because the Germans win most of those. The USA and Germany are tied on 4 points (Germany win any tie in the group currently on goal differential) while Ghana and Portugal each have 1. Best scenarios for the USA?

1) Beat Germany win group
2) Tie Germany come in second in group
3) Have Portugal and Ghana tie, move through
4) Have Portugal beat Ghana because the USA has a +2 goal differential on Ghana but a +7 vs. Portugal

Worst things? Ghana starts kicking the hell out of an uninterested Portugal. Germany starts crushing the USA. That's when our +2 goal difference might go astray. Still the USA has a 74.6% chance to advance according to number crunchers.

BREAKING NEWS!!! -- Ghana has sent home TWO top players from their team, from ESPN:

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari have been suspended "indefinitely" and sent home from Ghana's World Cup camp following alleged rows with their coach and and an official.

As Syrio Forel said to Arya Stark, "There is only one Group G, and its name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: 'Not today'.”

There are two other matches today, at 4pm if you're either hiding under blankets in a huge funk or so excited and happy you just want to watch all the soccer today.

Algeria and Russia will play to see who follows Belgium out of their group. This is the group by the way that the USA's Group G will start against in elimination rounds.  The second place team in Group G will play Belgium while the winner in Group G will get either Algeria or Russia. The Desert Foxes of Algeria impressed last time out with a massive three goal surge. Fabio Capella was paid a LOT of do-re-mi by the Russian Soccer Federation to get into the knockout stages. Let's go Algeria!

USA vs Germany noon
Ghana vs Portugal noon

Belgium vs South Korea 4pm
Russia vs Algeria 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 11

Thanks but no thanks Germany. If Germany hadn't gone to sleep after they scored first yesterday and let Ghana escape with a 2-2 tie the USA could have advanced with said tie today. But alas, they'll have to do it themselves. More on this epic USA match later.

The day starts out with Belgium and Russia at noon. A great mix of styles in this one as Belgium looks to rebound from a dicey start (albeit a win) and prove they are indeed a pre-tourney favorite. The second game today is the Desert Foxes of Algeria against South Korea. S. Korea had a rather dull 0-0 tie with Russia starting their tournament and need a win vs Algeria, who play everyone tough yet usually end up losing late. Tonight's dinnertime matchup is the "Big One" if you're an American. Here's the story as of press time. If the USA beats the depleted Portugal side (and Portugal is ranked #3 in the FIFA world rankings) they go through to the knockout rounds, an amazing feat for the lightly considered USA in this "Group of Death." If they tie and have 4 points they would be tied with Germany while Ghana and Portugal would have 1 point each with a game against each other left this upcoming week. The USA plays Germany (#2 in FIFA world rankings) this week in their final group game. Germany cannot advance from any USA vs. Portugal result today so that means against the USA, Germany will be forced to play their best players and perhaps get some points off the USA to advance themselves. That's a SCARY thought. The USA can end all speculation and all hand-wringing with one win. One game, 90 minutes of hell in the Amazon to become heroes. Ronaldo, Portugal's elite as elite comes striker is hobbled. Their top defensive payer, Pepe is supended. One of their top midfielders who plays for Real Madrid (as Ronaldo and Pepe do) Fabio Coentrau will not play. Other Portugal midfielders Hugo Almeida and Bruno Alves are not expected to play. So here's the thing, if the USA does not seize the opportunity before them today they may well regret it forever. Getting points off of Germany is certainly so sure thing. Win today and this World Cup will have been a HUGE success and the knockout rounds merely frosting on a red white and blue cake.

The USA seem confident going in. They are far more used to playing in the tremendous heat and humidity of the Rainforest site in Manaus. All the USA's MLS players play in that weather as they play through the summer, not the winter like European sides. While Ronaldo vacations the American players play in 110º heat at places like Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City.

So here we go America, this is OUR day and OUR time. The United States Men's National Team WILL win tonight and they WILL make us proud.

USA 2 Ronaldo 1

Russia vs Belgium noon
Algeria vs South Korea 3pm
USA vs Portugal 6pm

You can never have too much America on days like this!

World Cup Today -- Day 10

Now we're really getting into the meat of this tournament. Some teams are booking passage into the knockout rounds while some teams are gonna play a pretty meaningless game next week. We are just giddy watching the #CONCACAFFED hashtag come out during the afternoon on the Twitter. But for Honduras it's been a great ride for our local soccer orbit. Costa Rica has absolutely captured the fancy of many.

Today brings the Great Illusionist Messini and his Argentine Band of Merry Men in one of those matchups that yeah, let's just say can get out of hand and make for some bad feelings. Argentina vs. Iran, which is sure to be an all-star type game of score-o for La Albiceleste. The meat of our soccer sammich today is of great interest to USA fans. Germany is playing Ghana and if you're a casual fan and might not know about  group stage scoring USA fans want Germany to beat Ghana into next week. Every time Germany scores drink a stein of beer. If Ghana loses they'd have zero points which means the USA would clinch a spot in the knockout rounds with a win OR tie tomorrow vs. Portugal. The trouble with this is that Ghana will not go down quietly. The makings of a great match. The dinner selection is a bit weaker, we'll be honest here. An early dinner out or a movie are not out of the question if you've been a good soccer fan and watched your fill. Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Nigeria is by no means a classic matchup but both sides will be desperate and that can make for a great couple of hours.

Know what else is great about he World Cup games and soccer in general? There's no, "This corner kick brought to you by Chevrolet because America loves a recall." This goal kick sponsored by Tampax, "We're not number one but we're up there." Just good announcing or sounds from the pitch. Surely within ten years this will change if soccer catches on even more in the USA.

Argentina vs Iran noon
Germany vs Ghana 3pm
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Nigeria 6pm

World Cup Today -- Day 5

Finally it's here, the USA plays today! First off though we have a real barn shaker of a matchup in the USA's own "Group of Death." Germany's might vs the great Ronaldo and Portugal. The Ironbound area of Newark has to just be uncorked today. Next up it's a game on teevee while Johnny does actual business things and makes actual real money as Nigeria and Iran drones on in the background. We hope the people of Iran and Nigeria really enjoy this match. Then, 6pm the time of reckoning is here. Ghana has dumped the USA out of the last two World Cups, that's eight years to stew over just one country. The USA could be a better side today on sheer willpower. When challenged by head man Jurgen Klinsmann they have stepped up over the last 18 months. Klinsmann said this game is everything and they are putting everything into getting the tree possible points from it. The USA's hopes for this World Cup will rise or fall between 6 and 8pm EDT today.

How about an early goal from Jozy Altidore and a late one from Mix Diskerud get the USA a 2-1 victory. You got a problem with that?

Germany vs Portugal noon
Iran vs Nigeria 3pm
USA vs Ghana 6pm

World Cup Today: The group picks

Never one to run from a prediction, here are Johnny's picks to come out of their groups and play in the single-game eliminations. Remember the top two sides in a group advance.

Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
Johnny is picking the two teams who play each other this afternoon. Croatia has just enough to stay ahead of Mexico who have been an utter mess in qualifiers.

Group B
Spain
Chile
Netherlands
Australia
So Johnny you're really leaving out the Netherlands who played Spain in that magnificent 1-0 title match in S. Africa? Yep, unless Van Persie carries this side, Chile with Alexis Sanchez and magnificent midfielder Arturo Vidal will keep Chile a nose in front.

Group C
Columbia
Ivory Coast
Japan
Greece
Columbia without superstar Rafael Falcao is still the class in this weak group. So weak in fact Johnny has the Cote' D'Ivorie side sneaking into the second slot ahead of Japan.

Group D
Italy
England
Uruguay
Costa Rica
Two things about this very tough (in name anyways) group. Has Italy put the 2010 debacle behind them and how fit is Luis "Bitey" Suarez, top scorer in the English Premiere League who plays for Uruguay. It's our guess that Bitey isn't in good health and England will grab the second slot. Oddly, the "Ticas" of Coasta Rica who aren't that in over their heads could decide this group depending on how other teams get results, or don't, against Costa Rica.

Group E
France
Ecuador
Switzerland
Honduras
Like Italy before them has France put the 2010 debacle behind them? They embarrassed their nation more than the Italians in S. Africa. We like them in this group and as a dark horse. Ecuador playing close to home noses out Switzerland.

Group F
Argentina
Bosnia-Herzegovia
Nigeria
Iran
The battle here is for second between the Bosnians and Nigerians. No team with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel DiMaria and Sergio Arguero is going out in the group stage.

Group G
Germany
USA
Portugal
Ghana
Yes, Johnny is being a homer and going against all common sense picks that have Portugal and the Great Ronaldo grabbing second. Germany is going to win the group unless their goalkeeper Neuer can't handle the German high defensive lines. Doubtful. So Ghana who has knocked the USA out of the last two World Cups (but are not as good of a side as they have been FYI) and Portugal the #3 ranked FIFA team that when pressed into the middle can have their offense stultified. If you're betting money take Portugal as the second in group, if you're posting on a blog for fun pick the USA.

Group H
Belgium
South Korea
Russia
Algeria
Belgium is the best side you've never heard of. Unspectacular but they just do all the little things better than your nation. That second slot is very hard. Russia has some go-go juice but the South Koreans have greatly improved their international game. Putin's an ass so it's South Korea.

There you have it. Johnny and the staff would love to hear your opinions and wants to hear where You think he went wrong.