Author: Matthew Groff

It was close to being very “Unlucky #13” today – Team USA was inches away from being eliminated from the Group Stage. Portugal almost had this match, and Team USA looks beatable. There is no sense dancing around it, that target on their backs is very big and very heavy. If it turns out that Sweden is the team that USA faces in the Round of 16, then this could be the end of the Tournament for America.

I am often wrong when it comes to football, and my predictions are wildly off base. Yet, Team USA did a very slow, grinding slide in their Group Stage. The win against Vietnam was the best match that they played, and even in that, they didn’t seem very aggressive. Everyone knew the Netherlands was going to play them hard, so no one was surprised at the draw. But Portugal should have been a win, and if nothing else, they should have at least got one ball in the back of the net. I’ve watched many big teams in big tournament struggle in the group stage. From what I’ve seen, to be successful in the Knockout Stage, you needed to have corrected your issues in the Group Stage. Hoping that the Group Stage “sacred you straight” never materializes. You need to leave the Group confident, not wounded. Team USA is wounded. And they won’t have Rose Lavelle in the next match due to yellow cards, so that just makes it more challenging.

That having been said… I’m keeping my eye on Japan and England. They are playing hard, take no prisoners football, and they want it. I’m not giving up on Team USA, but if they do get past Sweden, then they most likely will have to play Japan. So… If I can have a Plan B wish for this Cup; an England Japan final would be pretty cool. Just throwing that out there.

Anyway, see you on Sunday at 5am.