04/23/24
June 25, 2010
World Cup's Group of 16 Set: The group of 16 for the 2010 World Cup has been set. Surprises include the absence of 2006 champion Italy and runner up France, the presence of five South American teams for the first time ever, and a path for the U.S. that's "about as favorable as possible," writes Dan Wetzel. If the U.S. can defeat Ghana, it faces the winner of Uruguay/Mexico. "The idea that a road to the semifinals could be this 'easy' is a stunning development."
Altidore may be talking big but when you look at their path, it's not a completely insane thought: Ghana, Uraguay/S.Korea, Brazil/Netherlands. Sure they'd be deep underdogs in that last game but they did have a 2-0 lead on Brazil in the Confed Cup before losing 3-2 and it is one game.
That said, I'll be happy if they make the semis.
Also, is there a SpoFi pickem?
posted by kokaku at 06:13 PM on June 25, 2010
Kinda wondering what things are like on the Spain/Portugal border for the next couple of days?
posted by Demophon at 08:30 PM on June 25, 2010
"Easy," of course, is relative. There's not a gimme in the bunch there. I suspect the US team would be the first to admit that Ghana isn't going to just roll over - indeed, one could argue that Ghana has a similarly "easy" road to the semi-finals.
That said, it is sure easier to imagine the US team beating Ghana than it is to imagine them beating Germany.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:32 PM on June 25, 2010
My hope for the U.S. this World Cup was to get out of the group stage and win a knockout game to advance to the final eight. At this point, given the fact that we're favored against Ghana, I think to do anything less would be a disappointment.
I love Jozy Altidore saying this: "We're playing to play in the final." We're getting closer to the day when such a statement from an American soccer player would not be met with snickering.