This is a HUGE game, which deserves its own thread! Not entirely OT either, it's the national team for chrissakes, so soccer haters lay off!
Portugal needs to win this game, [U]badly[/U], after having gotten thrashed 4-0 by Germany, they're going to lose the tie-breakers on goal differentials vs the US if they tie today and beat Ghana by a small margin (even this is not a given). The US would definitely qualify with two ties, or even possibly with one tie and a close loss (unless Ghana crushes Portugal, not likely).
I think the US has a good chance today, Portugal is very talented, but it's an undisciplined team playing without many key starters (Pepe, Coentrao, Almeda), and Ronaldo not 100%. The game is in steamy Manaus (Portugal's weather is very similar to coastal California's, warm and dry with cool eves, not hot and steamy like it gets all summer in the eastern half of the US).
Ronaldo is outstanding, but he does most of his damage when he has some space and at high pace, unlike Messi he doesn't create his own goals by beating a handful of opponents in tight spaces. I don't think he's going to get that space tonight...
Also, mentally, Ronaldo is not all that football smart, unlike say Suarez (arguably the best player in the world right now) who is a cunning genius and works brilliantly with his teammates, often unselfishly. Though he's gotten a lot better in this field in recent years, CR might still try to take the game upon his shoulders and in the process squander a lot of chances for his team and become increasingly frustrated. He and his team carry the weight of their country and huge expectations, while the US is an underdog (see Costa Rica).
Messi's win yesterday has an impact on today's game. There is a huge personal rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi, it seems like CR, who has a huge ego, is always chasing Messi. I feel that Ronaldo is going to try to win the game all by himself, just like Messi did. He's not as good as Messi though in beating several opponents in close spaces, he needs more space to work his magic, and he's not going to get much of that tonight.
If Klinsi's boys manage to avoid conceding an early goal, the US will be in good shape. If Portugal manages to score in the first half though, all bets are off, Ronaldo on counters and a confident Portuguese team are going to be hard to overcome.
The US needs to play a very disciplined game, disrupting buildups and closing down spaces, a bit like Iran did yesterday. Play for the draw, that actually is a good way to end up with the win in the later stages of the game. If the ref calls a tight game, with early yellows, it will benefit the US, Portugal could easily play a man down.
Go USA!!!
Portugal needs to win this game, [U]badly[/U], after having gotten thrashed 4-0 by Germany, they're going to lose the tie-breakers on goal differentials vs the US if they tie today and beat Ghana by a small margin (even this is not a given). The US would definitely qualify with two ties, or even possibly with one tie and a close loss (unless Ghana crushes Portugal, not likely).
I think the US has a good chance today, Portugal is very talented, but it's an undisciplined team playing without many key starters (Pepe, Coentrao, Almeda), and Ronaldo not 100%. The game is in steamy Manaus (Portugal's weather is very similar to coastal California's, warm and dry with cool eves, not hot and steamy like it gets all summer in the eastern half of the US).
Ronaldo is outstanding, but he does most of his damage when he has some space and at high pace, unlike Messi he doesn't create his own goals by beating a handful of opponents in tight spaces. I don't think he's going to get that space tonight...
Also, mentally, Ronaldo is not all that football smart, unlike say Suarez (arguably the best player in the world right now) who is a cunning genius and works brilliantly with his teammates, often unselfishly. Though he's gotten a lot better in this field in recent years, CR might still try to take the game upon his shoulders and in the process squander a lot of chances for his team and become increasingly frustrated. He and his team carry the weight of their country and huge expectations, while the US is an underdog (see Costa Rica).
Messi's win yesterday has an impact on today's game. There is a huge personal rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi, it seems like CR, who has a huge ego, is always chasing Messi. I feel that Ronaldo is going to try to win the game all by himself, just like Messi did. He's not as good as Messi though in beating several opponents in close spaces, he needs more space to work his magic, and he's not going to get much of that tonight.
If Klinsi's boys manage to avoid conceding an early goal, the US will be in good shape. If Portugal manages to score in the first half though, all bets are off, Ronaldo on counters and a confident Portuguese team are going to be hard to overcome.
The US needs to play a very disciplined game, disrupting buildups and closing down spaces, a bit like Iran did yesterday. Play for the draw, that actually is a good way to end up with the win in the later stages of the game. If the ref calls a tight game, with early yellows, it will benefit the US, Portugal could easily play a man down.
Go USA!!!