FIFA World Cup 2014

[Amonkey]

I think if US can move on to the next stage, that would be a huuuuuge accomplishment. Theyre playing some really tough countries. I think on their advantage is ghe schedule. If thay beat Ghana, maybe they can play their A game and hope for a point, whether by winning or tieing. Then hopefully, Germany will rest their starters by then and hope for a tie with them.

[Celtics18]

Someone remind me of the point system for the group stage.  Is it three points for a win and one point for a tie? 

[Fafnir]

Someone remind me of the point system for the group stage.  Is it three points for a win and one point for a tie?

That's correct.

Also goal differential is the tie-breaker, with goals scored being the secondary tie-breaker.

[D.o.s.]

Guys, Blache is playing.

[Sixth Man]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gyWVia7hzGs

Keep dreaming, Rondo. 

Btw, considering all the injuries to the german team, they'll either crash out early or win it all. My money's on "win it all". They have to, otherwise the mob will demand Jogi's head and probably destroy everything they've built over the last years, which would be a shame.

The mob has been demanding Jogi's head for at least two years now...!  No way Germany comes close to winning this time.  The Rolls is parked in the garage and the only striker on the roster is a formerly great player who just celebrated his THIRTY-FIFTH birthday.  It seems a bit much to expect G?tze to find success playing as a striker.

[AngryAndIrritable]

It's amazing that Germany seem destined to underachieve with so much potential yet again. They remind me of England about 10-15 years ago, filled with great midfielders and defenders but absolutely no clinical edge up front.

[Amonkey]

Gotta give credit to espn for some good preview and documentary style reporting. The preview on Brasil was an awesome. I am so pumped!

[ederson]

The mob has been demanding Jogi's head for at least two years now...!  No way Germany comes close to winning this time.  The Rolls is parked in the garage and the only striker on the roster is a formerly great player who just celebrated his THIRTY-FIFTH birthday.  It seems a bit much to expect G?tze to find success playing as a striker.

He may be 35y.o. but he is still in good condition and he has the extra motivation to become the first all time world cup scorer. But i agree with you ... Germany should have better strikers

[Adelaide Celt]

Hopefully Blatter is on his way out.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/michel-platini-on-sepp-blatter-i-am-supporting-him-no-longer-9532387.html

[Adelaide Celt]

I hope this reaches #1 on iTunes. In memory of my hero the late Rik Mayall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMAFme1hBH0

[Celtics18]

Lineup prediction against Ghana:

                           Howard

Johnson         Besler         Cameron       Beasley


Jones            Bradley        Bedoya          Beckerman


                   Dempsey         Altidore

[Aymanelgowainy]

Lineup prediction against Ghana:

                           Howard

Johnson         Besler         Cameron       Beasley


Jones            Bradley        Bedoya          Beckerman


                   Dempsey         Altidore

Still p---ed at Klinsmann for not picking Donovan!!

[Aymanelgowainy]

I think Portugal have a good chance at making a deep run in this tournament... If they make it out of the group stage their side of the draw is considerably easier than the other side.. And Ronaldo can always change a game on his own!!

[Casperian]

It's amazing that Germany seem destined to underachieve with so much potential yet again. They remind me of England about 10-15 years ago, filled with great midfielders and defenders but absolutely no clinical edge up front.

When did Germany underachieve? 2004?

2002 finals, 2006 semis, 2008 finals, all with relatively weak teams. 2010 semis with the youngest squad in the tourney, lost to Spain, one of the best sides in the history of the game. 2012 semis, still with a young team, lost to Italy, which is no shame at all. If anything, Germany overachieved.

[D.o.s.]

Obviously they underachieved in 2006.