The More You Know

June 2nd, 2006 | by: Daryl |

Not to put any added pressure on the boys for June 12th, but Soccer America are pointing out that over the last two World Cups only one team has lost it’s opening game and still made it out of group play. (Turkey, since you ask)

Gloomy thinking from Soccer America, but good knowledge.

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Stuart

Kinda like in baseball, it’s far easier to win a 3-game series if you take the opener. Should be a good match, as I suspect both teams are wanting a win ahead of facing Italy (not to overlook Ghana or anything, there are no gimme’s in this group, or for the US in general for that matter).
Rick

Well, (about the article) I was going to say, “Brilliant observation”, but it IS interesting to see that a draw means a 61% chance of advancing. That very likely will be Team USA’s strategy.

One thing that immediately came to mind for me: the Portugal victory and an ultimate quarterfinals berth in 2002 has put us a no-win situation in terms of impressing mainstream American media.

Whatever.

I’d still be happy accepting a draw with the Czechs and then taking my chances with Ghana, as there’s a very good chance Italy will win out in the group stage.

And a tie with the Italians would make me ecstatic. Funny that such a thing would be HUGE, but ESPN would hardly notice it.
Bidemi

USA drawing with Italy isn’t farfetched at all. I seriously believe that we can draw, and possibly even beat them. No team is unbeatable.
littleguy

It’s absolutely true, we have to beat CR in the first game. The only strategy for us will the to “Portugalize” them with a couple of very fast goals. Unfortunately, the last month of play we look more like the Steve Sampson team of 1998, can’t finish, easy to counter, slow to get back, disorganized on the back line, then the Bruce Arena team of 2002. I hope Bruce is bringing his “A” game because that’s the only real wild card in the WC, Bruce’s ability to get our guys up to the CR match as it is the most important match of the our WC.
rick

Another draw for Italy (scoreless against Ukraine) cannot be encouraging for Italy. They definetely look beatable. USA could possibly finish on top of that group.
Steve C

I actually have (potentially foolish) faith that the US will beat the CR and at least tie the italians and beat ghana… the next aspect will be that Italy will HAVE to win against CR in their last game and thus, I believe that the US could and most likely will come out on top of the group of death… however, I do believe that the Italians will probably win the WC and they will play and beat brazil in the second round… if US doesnt win their group you can essentially kiss and “run” good-bye because I cannot see anyone besides Italy (they just seem to have this for some reason) beating Brazil this year?