12/18/24
June 26, 2014
U.S. Escapes Group of Death, Advances Despite Loss: The U.S. men's soccer team lost to Germany 1-0 but advanced to the next round of the World Cup with Portugal's 2-1 victory over Ghana, winning the goal differential tiebreaker over Portugal. Thomas Mueller scored for Germany in the second half. This is the first time the Americans have advanced out of the group round in two successive World Cup tournaments.
The death of me in the confidence pool was gambling that the African nations would do well in the Brazilian heat.
posted by grum@work at 11:01 AM on June 26, 2014
Jermaine Jones ran into the referee, kicked the ball into his own face and ran head first into his own teammate.
Quite the hattrick.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 03:02 PM on June 26, 2014
Amidst the delight of going through, there's a troubling concern: is the US now obliged to enshrine Ronaldo as Mexico has enshrined Zusi?
posted by beaverboard at 04:52 PM on June 26, 2014
Considering that The US would have still advanced if Ronaldo hadn't scored the late goal, I'd say no, but you can remember it however you'd like. Speaking of that Ronaldo goal, though, he was not the least bit excited, and the look on his face could only be interpreted as, "Yeah, I should have scored my first goal in this World Cup a lot earlier than now."
posted by bender at 05:36 PM on June 26, 2014
is the US now obliged to enshrine Ronaldo as Mexico has enshrined Zusi?
Their primary debt is to Thomas Müller for the hat-trick that had Portugal starting their final match with a goal difference of -4. Giving him an extra one in the competition for the Golden Boot was partial repayment.
posted by etagloh at 06:09 PM on June 26, 2014
The confidence pool is up-to-date. My strategy of "like Nate Silver, but with more love of South America" is working out nicely.