Jurgen Klinsmann’s success story as USA manager faces the ultimate test tomorrow, against his own nation, for whom he scored 38 goals as a player and even won the World Cup in 1990. His Americans go into the game needing a result, an eventuality few saw possible when the opposition in this group was originally drawn.
Thanks to two excellent performances of pure guts and dedication, the USA now have the ability to progress to the knockout rounds with a draw against the Germans, who also have the same qualification requirements.
Collusion between the teams
There will of course be the cynics who predict a conspiracy theory, saying these two teams will play out a draw purposefully. To make that claim would be to hugely misunderstand the fight in the bellies of this US side though.
USA Team News:
Possible XI: (4-2-3-1): Howard, Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley, Beckerman, Jones, Bedoya, Bradley, Zusi, Dempsey
Jozy Altidore will remain on the sidelines for this one, with Klinsmann likely to stick with the midfield formation of Jones and Beckerman behind Bradley. Dempsey will begin alone up front, supported on the wings by Bedoya and Zusi.
Germany Team News:
Possible XI: (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Mertesacker, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Özil, Kroos, Götze, Müller
The Germans have no end of firepower in their squad, hitting 4 past Portugal in the opening game. The dominance of that game didn’t resurface against Ghana, but expect to see its return tomorrow.
Soccerlens prediction: USA 1-2 Germany
I don’t see the US being able to hold off Germany now that their survival isn’t guaranteed. Klinsmann would have loved to come into this game with Germany already qualified, in which scenario they could’ve stolen a draw but I don’t see the Germans allowing another team to hold them like Ghana did and will be at full throttle for the remainder of the tournament. For America it will come down to Ghana and Portugal playing out a draw
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