FIFA World Cup Draw

The USA definitely doesn't look like it is making it out of the group stage if it has to contend with Germany and Portugal. Spain will open against the Netherlands, the last World Cup's respective winner and runner-up. Group D looks like this World Cup's Group of Death with Uruguay, Costa Rica, Italy and England. What does everyone think?

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1639444/fifa-sets-groups-2014-world-c…

 

Everyone on my Facebook is complaining about how their team is in the group of death. In reality, there is three very good groups and the competition is just closer this year. I like how you omit Ghana from the group too, they are just as much contenders as Portugal, Germany, and the US.

B, D, G are all "groups of death"

Portugal, represent.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

True, they were the ones to send the USA home in the last 2 World Cups, but I think the USA has gotten better under Jürgen Klinsmann and America has reached the next tier in terms of skill and talent (Klinsmann even said so himself, but he's obviously biased). Germany is elite and Portugal is always a contender. I don't think Ghana will be competitive this time in terms of getting out of the group stage, but they can easily upend the Americans in the group standings and get 3rd, knocking the USA down to last.

 
above_and_beyond:

Group of death is definitely the group D in my opinion. Italy, England, and Uruguay, that's though. I'm pretty pleased with our group, Portugal, Ghana, and the USA are all beatable. There are easier groups though. Group C is a joke.

No way, the English are the English and will fuck it up like they always do. Italy and and Uruguay are head and shoulders above England.

Australia is a joke, but Group B is my group of death - Chile is better than everyone is giving them credit for.

Despite improving under Klinsmann, I think the USA is screwed and we will finish last in the group.

 

Please tell me who isn't beatable for the Germans? Recent loss to Italy in Euros aside, Germany are possibly one of the most stacked teams in history.

I don't think that there is a clear cut GoD, as in each group (even good ones) there is a weak squad. No matter how good Ghana is, they won't stand, nor the US (I think US will actually get crushed this year).

@Going Concern ; App called LiveScore that tracks matches live and brings up scores.

Also, seeing as I'm sure 90% of this board has little to no merit in saying "Go XYZ", (except for USA) myself included, I'm curious to know who each person is going for?

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 
Anihilist:

Also, seeing as I'm sure 90% of this board has little to no merit in saying "Go XYZ", (except for USA) myself included, I'm curious to know who each person is going for?

I don't understand this comment. You mean 90% of this board isn't permitted to cheer for a team other than the USA?

I do agree with your other assessment, although it is quite clear that there are some really strong groups and some relatively weak groups.

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Anihilist:

Please tell me who isn't beatable for the Germans? Recent loss to Italy in Euros aside, Germany are possibly one of the most stacked teams in history.

As a German I am naturally a little bit more cautious. True, the team is incredible and the talent that is waiting for their chance is even more technically versed (Goetze, Reus, Gündogan, Draxler, etc.). However, we always had a hard time playing against Italy in a big tournament and I really hope we don't face them in the finals. Also, Germany - Italy is always very special for and the Italians just know how to play us. Furthermore, Spain is always a strong competitor and Brasil as the host of the World Cup is on my list as well.

 

This is a stupid question but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: what are some good ways to follow the world cup, both in terms of actually watching matches and just staying abreast of what's going on? Soccer is pretty much the only sport I have interest in (since I grew up playing it a lot) but I haven't put enough effort to following it, but I want to, especially for world cup.

 

ABC and ESPN will be televising it. My go to for out of market streams is wiziwig.tv. They do every major sport so you'll be able to watch every world cup game if you wanted. Good thing about it being in Brazil is the time difference isn't a big deal so the games will be at fairly normal hours of the day.

A good place to follow it would be fifa.com espn.com and probably a forum or two.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

You will find watching the World Cup even more enjoyable if you find time to watch a bunch of premiere league, serie a, la liga, bundesliga, etc. matches. I began rooting for Uruguay because Forlan is one of my favorite players and same deal with Germany (long time Bayern fan). I don't see how the US gets out of the group unless Ronaldo is injured or Howard plays out of his mind (which is possible).

 

How the fuck are you going to leave out Ghana when they've knocked us out for the last two consecutive world cups?

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgee:

How the fuck are you going to leave out Ghana when they've knocked us out for the last two consecutive world cups?

Agreed.

No matter what, it will be difficult. Although I'm really interested to see what happens. World Cup is going to be very good this year.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 
design:

ESPN’s Soccer Power Index Rankings for Group G: Germany (4), Portugal (16), United States (17), Ghana (24).

So I'm not the only one thinking that the USA is stronger than Ghana this time around. We'll see what happens.

Those power rankings mean absolutely fuckall. France barely qualified and are ranked ahead of the Netherlands and Italy? Give me a break.

Spain should be #1 based on their performance in the last 3 major tournaments.

 

My comment had nothing to do with perceived strength. To say that Ghanan being in our group doesnt make it incrementally more difficult is ridiculouis.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

Group G is not the universal group of death, but it certainly is the group of death for the USA. As mentioned above, Germany and Portugal are both serious contenders while Ghana is the one "weaker" team that just seems to have the USA's number. However, if you take a universal approach (which group has the all-around toughest players), I'm sure that anyone in Group B would happily change places with Germany or Portugal. Another way to think about it: If you could join to join any of the groups as a 5th team, which would you LEAST likely desire to join? My belief is that Groups B and D are far more menacing than Group G.

Forza Azzurri!

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
Best Response

I think people knock the US team far too much. Yes they have some serious depth issues - specifically when looking at the defense, but as a whole the team is actually quite decent. It is no longer Dempsey + Donovan = Win. It's more of a Dempsey + Donovan + Altidore + Bradley + Jones + InsertTopDivisionPlayerHere = Potential to win ANY game.

There is a ton of hidden talent in the team and names who want to cement their place / earn a spot abroad or a new contract. If they play the way that the US team can, hopefully we can take Germany on like we did in 2002 except walk away with the win this time.

Germany and Brazil are my favorites to be in the final. The Germans have amazing talent right now, and on top of that their average age is around 25-26 or right now I think. All these guys are hitting their prime right now, so they will be tough for anyone to beat. Brazil on the other hand has the home advantage and a solid mix of new guys and veterans, they also play some great soccer when they get their flow going.

As for Ghana, they deserve a ton of respect - especially with guys like Essien and Boateng leading their ranks. Solid midfield that will be hard to break down, that's for sure. Do I see them advancing? No, but then again anything can happen in this game and I feel the same way for the USA.

Until the tournament comes around, all we can do is look at players like Essien, Ronaldo, and Schweinsteiger and believe they are equals so that the morale is up when we play through the group stage.

...
 
BreakingRich:

I think people knock the US team far too much. Yes they have some serious depth issues - specifically when looking at the defense, but as a whole the team is actually quite decent. It is no longer Dempsey + Donovan = Win. It's more of a Dempsey + Donovan + Altidore + Bradley + Jones + InsertTopDivisionPlayerHere = Potential to win ANY game.

There is a ton of hidden talent in the team and names who want to cement their place / earn a spot abroad or a new contract. If they play the way that the US team can, hopefully we can take Germany on like we did in 2002 except walk away with the win this time.

In its last two games, this core group of players couldn't beat Scotland and lost to Austria - two non World Cup teams. The fact of the matter is, for all the individual talents we have, we are not very good as a team. Maybe (hopefully) Klinsmann can make the right tweaks to our personnel/playing style, but I just don't see it happening.

 

But at the same time we were able to beat a fully loaded Bosnia, not saying they're the top of the top - but they were definitely playing some great ball at the time of the game.

Also, the friendlies like those are almost irrelevant. I didn't see the Austria game and only saw highlights against Scotland.

...
 

College soccer is comprised of mediocre middle class soccer players. MLS drafts these mediocre middle class soccer players. The same mediocre middle class player is called up for the US national team. Then comes the world cup and players like Hulk, Neymar, Messi and CR7 embarrass these fools.

Why do college basketball coaches go to inner cities to recruit? That's where the talent it. Same thing applies to soccer... Target kids who come from modest circumstances and I promise you that the quality of soccer improves in this country.

 

Most of the ODP and Academy programs do this. That's because they can offer the kids full scholarships into their program and cover just about everything the kid needs to develop his potential. - Got this info directly from a head of youth development at a MLS Academy team

...
 

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