Win and advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup. It is that simple for team USA.
Hmm, seems like Deja Vu all over again doesn't it? Well, your right. In 2006, Team USA was in the same situation. With only 1 point in the group stages after two games, coming from a miraculous draw against Italy, their soccer destiny was in their own hands. A win against Ghana would have given them 4 points and a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup. But it was not to be. A crushing 2-1 loss sent us Yanks packing, frustrated, disappointed, and all we were left was with another story of what could have been.
After a draw against England and an amazing comeback draw against Slovenia, which could have actually been a win if not for that phantom foul call that disallowed Maurice Edu's goal, it seems like lady luck is on our side this time. In a short tournament like the World Cup, sometimes a little luck is all you need to get through to the next round. But I surely hope, that this team, which is comprised of World Cup veterans such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Tim Howard, have learned from 2006, and go into the final match with the same sense of urgency that they showed in the second-half of the Slovenia match.
The second half showed a team that played faster, made accurate and decisive passes, and played with a sense of purpose. You could see the sense of urgency on the players faces. If we are to win against Algeria this Wednesday, we have to play at that same level. Playing Algeria does not necessarily guarantee a win. Every team in this World Cup is a quality team. Go ask Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, who are considered the superpowers of futbol, but have had disastrous losses in the group stages.
So its win or go home for Team USA. I think we'll know within the first five minutes of the match which team has shown up to play, and lets hope that we see that fiery and fierce team that played in the second half of the Slovenia match.
Tomorrow: Breakdown of the USA vs. Algeria Match
Hmm, seems like Deja Vu all over again doesn't it? Well, your right. In 2006, Team USA was in the same situation. With only 1 point in the group stages after two games, coming from a miraculous draw against Italy, their soccer destiny was in their own hands. A win against Ghana would have given them 4 points and a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup. But it was not to be. A crushing 2-1 loss sent us Yanks packing, frustrated, disappointed, and all we were left was with another story of what could have been.
After a draw against England and an amazing comeback draw against Slovenia, which could have actually been a win if not for that phantom foul call that disallowed Maurice Edu's goal, it seems like lady luck is on our side this time. In a short tournament like the World Cup, sometimes a little luck is all you need to get through to the next round. But I surely hope, that this team, which is comprised of World Cup veterans such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Tim Howard, have learned from 2006, and go into the final match with the same sense of urgency that they showed in the second-half of the Slovenia match.
The second half showed a team that played faster, made accurate and decisive passes, and played with a sense of purpose. You could see the sense of urgency on the players faces. If we are to win against Algeria this Wednesday, we have to play at that same level. Playing Algeria does not necessarily guarantee a win. Every team in this World Cup is a quality team. Go ask Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, who are considered the superpowers of futbol, but have had disastrous losses in the group stages.
So its win or go home for Team USA. I think we'll know within the first five minutes of the match which team has shown up to play, and lets hope that we see that fiery and fierce team that played in the second half of the Slovenia match.
Tomorrow: Breakdown of the USA vs. Algeria Match
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