2014 FIFA World Cup: USA Wins Despite Loss

No power in hell, let alone death can stop the U.S. men’s national team. Even with a 1-0 loss to Germany, the United States managed to advance out of the group of death despite expectations that they would finish last. Thanks to Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Ghana, the Americans have progressed to the knockout stages with a 1-1-1 record by goal differentials. It wasn’t pretty, but the USA will take it.

Jun 26, 2014; Recife, BRAZIL; United States fans celebrate with the team after finding out they had advanced past the group stage with their 1-0 loss to Germany at Arena Pernambuco. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Great Escape from the group of death should rank amongst the greatest sports moments in US history, placed higher than the U.S Men’s Hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Hockey fanatics, you can curse me all you want, but I stand firm in my belief.

Of course the Yankees cannot settle with just advancing to the group stage. At this stage they cannot afford to lose (or risk drawing) a match; they have to push to a 5-0 record from here on out team to win the cup. The celebration has to be cut short, USA still has work to do.

USA looked unsettled in the first couple minutes as Germany launched some perfect crosses into the box that came close to adding to the scoreline. Playing under the pouring rain, the United States got pretty chippy, getting away with hard tackles that could have resulted in a booking.

June 26, 2014; Recife, BRAZIL; United States forward Clint Dempsey (8) goes after the ball against Germany defender Mats Hummels (5) during the first half of the match during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Pernambuco. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports

A perfect chance at goal came for the USA in the 22nd minute during the counter attack as Michael Bradley strung a combination of passes from left and right, exposing Germany’s poor fullbacks. He found Graham Zusi at the left of the box, who then launched a screaming shot that went over the bar.

Germany had chance in the 36th minute when Mesut Ozil got passed Omar Gonzalez and faced off against Tim Howard. Unfortunately, his shot was easily blocked by the Everton keeper.

June 26, 2014; Recife, BRAZIL; Germany midfielder Thomas Muller (13) scores against the United States during the second half of the match during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Pernambuco. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports

In the 52nd minute, Miroslav Klose almost opened up the scoresheet for Germany when his header off Phillip Lahm’s pass went wide of the post. Three minutes later, the Germans got up. Per Mertesacker connected on a header off of Ozil’s corner, but the shot was easily deflected by Tim Howard. However, Howard saw his effort go in vain as the deflection landed on Thomas Muller’s foot, who then launched a shot that left Howard helpless.

Meanwhile Ghana was tied with Portugal 1-1 and needed a goal to advance past the United States and enter the round of 16. As USA fought to find the back of the net, they finally got the goal that secured their spot in the round of 16 thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s right, Ronaldo. In the 80th minute, Ronaldo received the ball in the box off a poor clearance from Ghana’s goal keeper and took a simple shot with his left foot to the bottom right corner of goal to make it 2-1 for Portugal.

USA held onto the result until the final whistle, securing their spot in the round of 16 where they’ll likely meet Belgium in the first round.

The United States will play against the Red Devils next Tuesday.

Man of the Match

Thomas Muller deserves the award for scoring in such Muller fashion. He isn’t a fast player nor a gifted dribbler. His finishing is clinical but not world class. But he always happens to the be in the right place at the right time, and today he demonstrated his A-plus awareness by receiving the ball off Howard’s deflection and blasting it back into the net. Compared to his teammates, his skills may pale in several aspects, but he knows how to get those goals.

Player Ratings

USA

Tim Howard 7.5 – Showed great hands in such slippery conditions. Couldn’t do anything on that Muller goal.

F. Johnson 7.0 – Had few attacking chances since he was occupied with marking Podolski. Did a great job defending him.

Gonzalez 7.5 – Made some key timely tackles that saved U.S’s rear end.

Besler 7.0 – Got the job done

Beasley 7.0 – Stepped up on the defensive end and proved to be dangerous on the attack. Unfortunately, his runs produced nothing.

Zusi 6.5 – Aside from that missed shot, Zusi played unusually sloppy today.

Beckerman 7.0 – Proved to be the steel curtain for USA’s defense. Got the job done despite yellow card.

Davis 5.0 – Didn’t really affect the match. Skills are not good enough for the international game.

Jones 7.5 – Again proved to be the best player on the pitch, throwing body in the line of defense and playing a spark in USA’s counter attack.

Bradley 7.0 – An improvement compared to the last two matches, but he can still do better.

Dempsey 6.0 – Invisible for most of the match. Couldn’t contribute much

Substitutes

Yedlin 7.0 – Flashed his pace and energy on the pitch. Was involved in one attack and proved to be dangerous enough to be taken seriously by the Germans.

Bedoya 6.5 – Worked hard and ran a lot, but that was not enough to improve USA’s attack.

Germany

Neuer 7.5 – Rarely tested, but showed in brief glimpses why he’s the best keeper in the game.

Hummels 7.0 -Like Neuer, he was hardly tested

Howedes 7.0 – Looked exposed on the defensive end, given that he’s a natural center back.

Mertesacker 7.0 – His deflected header led to Muller’s goal.

Boateng 6.5 – Fortunate that Zusi isn’t a world class player. He looked lost at the left-back position.

Lahm 8.0 – Broke up USA’s attack masterfully and came up big when he blocked USA’s shot in the box.

Schweinsteiger 7.5 – Leadership and contributions to attack and defense proved crucial.

Kroos 7.0 – Connected some solid passes and partnered with Schweinsteiger well, but didn’t offer anything amazing.

Ozil 7.0 – Caused some problems to USA’s defense but lacked finishing product

Muller 8.0 – Great awareness led to goal

Podolski 6.0 – Kept at bay by Johnson all match.

Substitutes

Gotze 6.0 – Not much impact

Schurrle NA

Klose 7.0 – Presence in the box opened up USA’s defense. Enough to give Muller breathing room for shot.

Tweets of the Match