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Netherlands really surprised me! Destroyed Spain, would've liked to to see Van Der Vaart, Kuyt, and Huntelaar come in!

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It's almost here. Tomorrow is a BIG day for the USA. :usa

In the early match, Germany vs Portugal, We want to see a 0-0 draw. If not 0-0, then 1-1. If not 1-1, then 2-2. Whatever. As long as it's a draw.

In the main event, USA vs Ghana, the United States must collect all three points. There's just no two ways about it. With our group being as tough as it is, and our previous World Cup difficulties versus Ghana, we need to beat them soundly to boost our confidence and give us our best chance, perhaps our only chance, of advancing.

How do you see this one going?

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Agreed. I do believe the USA will win.

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You hit the nail on the head, David.
As long as we're wishing, a red card for Ronaldo would be nice, too. That way, he'd miss the game against us. ;)

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:banger

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Well, you were close. Pepe out with a red card is a nice consolation. Also, the fact that Germany racked up such a large win could possibly help the USA.

Germany did their job. Now, the USA needs to do theirs.

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Safe to discuss USA vs GHA, pnoon?

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Yep.

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32 seconds. Gotta love it.

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I was loving it big time. My friend was trying to use this game as an example of why soccer is stupid, because of the 80 scoreless minutes in the middle. I disagree with him completely :tu

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Couldn't agree more. it was frustrating to watch the US go into their defensive mode, but it kept me watching to see if Ghana could score. When they did, then it was to keep watching to see if they would pour it on, knowing the momentum had turned. But to see the US come back like that and finally control the ball at the end. And the beautiful corner kick and header. I was out of my chair yelling.

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Disappointed with USA play. Ghana deserved the goal, and wonderful that we did end up winning. But that kind of play vs Germany or Portugal will get us destroyed! Hopefully we pick up the pace and don't copy the Italian catenacchio style of play.

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Agreed!

Their lack of ball control was pretty stunning. They are better than that. It was nice to hear, in post game interviews, the players and coach comment on that.

Sunday can't get here fast enough.

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This is a snippet of what Roger Bennett of ESPNFC had to say of the USA's performance against Ghana:

This is what we are made of then: A tenacious victory in which the back line made 45 clearances, most by a team in any World Cup match since 1966. The attackers conjured two touches within 20 yards of Ghana's goal (one was Brooks' goal) after Jozy Altidore departed. And a total 90 minutes in which goalkeeper Tim Howard led the team with 61 touches.

Yet still win.

And what could be more American than that?

I think that was pretty well said. :usa

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Thanks for sharing that, Dave. Fantastic.

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Anyone heard anything about the injuries to Portugal and if Pepe's red card will be more than a one game suspension?

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This comes from the FIFA website. It's the best I could find regarding Portugal's injuries. It was, however, published on Monday...

Striker Hugo Almeida and defender Fábio Coentrão are major injury doubts for Portugal coach Paulo Bento in the wake of their 4-0 drubbing by Germany at the FIFA World Cup™.

Portuguese media report Real Madrid's Coentrão is out for a minimum of ten days with a leg injury despite managing to finish the Group G match. Almeida is also rated doubtful for Portugal's next clash against the USA on 22 June after pulling up with a muscle injury in the first-half against Germany.

"The outlook isn't the best, they are two muscular injuries and will take time to heal," said Bento. "We'll have to see how bad they are, but the signs are not encouraging."

Bento is definitely without centre-back Pepe for the USA game after his first-half dismissal against Germany for head-butting Thomas Müller, who claimed a hat-trick. "We have to come up with the best solutions to any absences now," said Bento.

"We have to fight for our objectives and goals. We'll be under a lot of pressure, regardless of the result of Ghana verses the USA. Our goal remains to qualify. We're not happy, starting a tournament with a result like this makes it complicated. Now we'll find out who we are and we'll see our capacity to fight for our goals."

Sunday USA vs POR is going to be epic. :po

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No doubt.
Wondering about the injuries to Altidore and Besler, too.

Just finished watching Brazil/Mexico. Very intense match.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C058wv48oms


too funny not to post.