These are my predictions as to what will happen for the USA to get into the WC Finals and this is the road that I think they would face if we can win our group. They have to win the group to get to the finals or they're out to Brazil as is most every other team in the world WA - Germany RB - Engalnd ------ Germany ---------------------------------Germany WC - Argentina RD - Portugal ------- Argentina ----------------------------------------------USA WE - USA RF - Japan ---------- USA ---------------------------------USA WG - France RH - Spain ---------- Spain WB - Sweden RA - Poland --------- Sweden -------------------------------- Holland WD - Mexico ----------------------------------------------Brazil RC - Holland -------- Holland WF - Brazil RE - Czech Rep ------ Brazil -------------------------------- Brazil WH - Ukraine RG - Switzerland ----- Ukraine I know what some of you are thinking but this are just my predictions as to what I want to happen for us but you know how that goes... Good luck USA! Any other predictions on outcomes you're more than welcome to participate!
I vote 2nd round/Round of 16, except it isn't an option. We'll get second in the group (at the expense of the Czechs) and lose to Brazil.
As long as we're at it, we should have them beating Brazil in the final, no? It all comes down to beating Italy and CzR, I suppose.
Last i check, this cannot happen. USA cannot play Brazil in the final, because of the way that the bracket is structured. Groups A-D or on the "top" and E-H are on the bottom. It goes alphabetical order, A-H From top to bottom on each side. Check it out. http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/bracket.html
I think there's room between killed in group stages in quarters. Aside from 16, there's also plays well but fails to advance. this has happened to much, much better teams than the US (last time, for example, with a very well regarded Argentina, and the defending France). As Arena noted getting out of group is the goal, after than anything can happen in one-offs.
I believe you're wrong. Winner E is on one side. Winner F is on the other. Thus, they meet in the final. If they can win the group, they have their best chance at making the finals. Otherwise, they're out in round two... oddly enough, to the same opponent.
I'm sorry if I left out an option on the poll...maybe the mods can help out on that one. I kind of did it in a rush Anyway, if we can win the group than I think this is going to be one of the best shots at making it to the Finals and winning it isn't too far fetched (injuries to players, card accumulations, you never know) after all it's the World Cup anything can happen. Winning the group should be the objective so we can avoid Brazil till the Finals at least. Holland/Ukraine can be taken out by Brazil and the others England/Argentina/France/Portugal/Sweden will take each other out. Spain, Czechs, Germany, Japan and Brazil are teams that we'd have to take it to like mad men to win the Cup. I honestly think we can take Italy and if we can get by the Czechs then we're through to the quarters for the 2nd straight time with a win over Japan. I'd love to see us at least reach the quarters again but against Spain I think we can get past them but then "bltleo's country" Germany would be in our way in the semi finals...so...it's just my view on it...
Why is everyone so dead certain that Italy will win our group, forcing us to face Brazil? Out of the last three World Cups, Italy has only won their group once. Last time, they finished second to .... Mexico. Are we so insecure that we are not able to do as well as Mexico?
Insecurity has nothing to do with it. I think we'll beat the Czechs and so will the Italians, while we won't beat the Italians. They get first and we get second. That's my thinking. I bet we lose 1-0 to the Italians. In that scenario we get Brazil. We could beat them, too. I just highly doubt it. Of course, I could be wrong...
Italy has never beaten the US outside of Italy. I'm convinced that record will stand through the summer.
I'm not dead certain Italy will win our group. Same way as I'm not writing off Ghana and Czech Republic. People continually overlook them. No game will be easy, however, I think we'll make it to the round of 16 at best. How many wins do we have on European soil under Bruce? Until he can prove otherwise, I don't hold our hopes high of winning the whole thing. Anyone with that delusion really needs to get their head examined. Now I'm not denying we have a very good team, but so does the other 3 countries in our group. It will be far from easy.
Italy will not win the group. They will lose to the Czechs 2-1 with their 1 goal coming in the 2nd half 10 minutes till the end of the match. I'm hoping at least. Seriously though....I really can't see a dysfunctional team like Italy putting together a win against either US or Czech Republic mostly because they will implode. There are just far too many personalities that will be doing for themselves instead of doing for the team. The younger generation of Italians (the ones at the WYC this year) however, will be another issue. Although we can still beat them with our mini Nats I just wouldn't be as confident. Besides, Ghana gets Italy before we do and I just can't see Italy getting through unscathed (player injuries) so that will have something else to do with our victory I'm sure. I think we can beat Czech Republic mostly because with our best Starting XI on the field and in top form I just can't see that squad losing to the Czech Republic. By the time we hit Ghana they will have at least 1 starter red carded and missing because of multiple offenses and they will not have their full strength squad anyway. So, I can actually see us winning the group. I was speaking with my Uncle last night over a couple of beers and told him my view of the World Cup outcome and he said I was smoking crack But of course he's still upset about the 2-0 loss in Columbus that US gave Mexico. LOL!! Everytime I see him I greet him with a nice "2-0 Baby" as he tells me to fvck off...
I think we will also face Brazil... at the start of the knock-out stages. i see us advancing from group play, but 'm not yet sure if we will finish first in the group. i see as #2 behind italy. i figure we tie italy, and beat ghana and the czech republic...
I think we will come out and beat the czechs like we did to Portugal in 2002. The rest of our group is already underestimating us , which is great. I think we can match up well against Italy, and a win would be great, but so would a draw. Ghana is a must win match ( so are the rest ) but we are kind of overlooking Ghana right now , and they are a very strong team physically and technically.
I think we will finish 2nd in the groups and then promptly lose to Brazil but wow the road to the finals looks some what easy if we somehow win the group.
You all are forgetting the likely scenario that Brasil will intentionally drop their last game to avoid the US in the second round if we finish second in the group.