Alright, I don't know jack about soccer, but from reading around, this is the impression that I get.

The FIFA rankings mean almost nothing.

Italy is the best team in our group, but they have a reputation of collapsing in big games. The US definately has a chance of beating them, but is expected to lose. If this were a college football game, Italy would be favored by 13.

The Czech Republic is only slightly better than the US, but they have some injuries, so this game is pretty much a tossup. Using college football again, the CR is favored by 3 due to home continent advantage.

Ghana is clearly the worst team of the group, but is capable of beating the US. They aren't bad. In college football, the US would be favored by 16.

Am I close?

Good, but I'd say Italy would have been favored by 7 pre-scandal, maybe less now.

What is the scandal?

Allegations of match fixing, gambling, and manipulation of referee assignments by a number of key figures in the Italian league.

US v Italy (Italy -5 CFB)

US v Czech Repub (US -2.5 CFB)

US v Ghana (US -9.5 CFB)

even if you dont like soccer, it will be worth it to tune in to the Czech vs US match if for nothing else see Ogochi Onyewu (called Gooch) on the US team who is 6-4 210 pounds and mean (in a good way, like a linebacker really) match up against Jan Koller who is 6-8 striker

I'd say that's pretty close although I think the CR would have been a contender to win it all had they not had so many injuries. Nonetheless, they will still be a very good team and a difficult game.

So it's not completely out of the question that the US could win the group?

Who would they most likely play in the next round if they did win the group?

[This message has been edited by Seven Costanza (edited 6/8/2006 2:02p).]

1A v 2B
1C v 2D
1B v 2A
1D v 2C
1E v 2F
1G v 2H
1F v 2E
1H v 2G

Here's what it looks like after group play. I started following soccer last week, so I don't know much about it either.

USA is in group E. So it looks like if they make it, we will play 1 or 2 from F

Group F includes:
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan


I would assume Brazil would finish as 1F.
Don't know about 2.

If we win the group we paly the 2nd team out of Group F most likely Australia. 2nd place in our group gets Brazil

the US can definatly get out of the group and maybe even win it. which would be good, because if we come in second, then we most likely face brazil. who have the #1 ranking right now, and that ranking is for real!

[This message has been edited by irishaggie97 (edited 6/8/2006 2:07p).]

Don't sleep on Croatia and Japan. I could see any of those teams snagging second to be honest. Fortunately, I think the US at the very least on par with all of those teams.

To be honest, just getting out of the group would be great, even if we do have to play Brazil in the second round. The US would have nothing to lose in that situation. No one (including Brazil) would give them a chance to win and even if they lose, the tournament would be considered a success as a result of getting out of the group.

2F would probably be a tossup between Croatia or Japan...

Yeah, I don't see Australia with any chance of finishing better than fourth in their group.

Off the top of my head, because I have never seen Australia play, I would guess that Croatia or Japan are better than Australia. But the Aussies have a great coach. And to me..knowing what a difference Arena makes for the US..that is a distinct advantage for the Aussies. Still..my bet is on Croatia advancing due to only the fact the WC is in Europe this year. Not much to bet on.

Wasn't someone on here predicting that Australia would make it a few rounds deep?

Honestly, I'd rather the US face Brazil as early as possible. Everybody knows that Brazil is in a league of their own when they are clicking, but I think we have a better chance (though still a long shot) to catch them off guard earlier in the tournament.

But right now, I know the team is focused on Czech and Italy. Take care of business there and anything is possible.

Australia wont make it out of their group. They have a good coach, and one or two players who are good, but no outstanding players. I really think that croatia will come in second. My current prediction has czech coming in second to italy in our bracket after a tie with us and them leading in goal differential. I could definitely see CR knocking out brazil in the 2nd round on a very, very close game.

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Don't sleep on Croatia and Japan. I could see any of those teams snagging second to be honest. Fortunately, I think the US at the very least on par with all of those teams.

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Croatia, yes. Japan, no. Japan will come in last in the group, IMO. I think the Aussies will make it to the second round with Hiddink as coach. Look what he did with S. Korea in the last WC with far less talent.

i dont know if you can say korea had/has far less talent than australia. in fact, i think thats easily debatable.

regardless, hiddink is awesome and i wouldnt be surprised in the least if australia advanced

I think for the US groups, the rankings are in order.

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Alright, I don't know jack about soccer,

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all you need to know is Brazil is one bad mutha!!! i LOVE watching them play. truly greatness.

Some of you are smoking some serious stuff!!

Rankings mean crap..................

Italy and Czech Republic are still the favorites in this group. These are European teams playing basically at home, the US won't sneak on anybody.

The one thing the US has going for them, is the number of players playing in Europe..........but this isn't club, this is flag and country.............advantage European nations.

Don't believe me, just ask Brasil.