WORLD CUP: America on the up as they draw 2-2 with Portugal

GROUP G

UNITED STATES 2-2 PORTUGAL

SUNDAY 22ND JUNE – MANUAS

Two-Two, that’s 2-2 against Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, think of that America. It wasn’t too long ago that we were doubting that the Americans would get anything out of the so called “Group of Death”.

Also mention that USA has more points, and more goals Spain and England, which are two countries the footballing communities in the States are told to be following. Tide turning in the States? Think of it this way, some of the biggest, most well known countries in the sport are on their flight home. While this group hasn’t been decided yet, any result other than a loss against Germany gets them through!

The two goals in the match were because of the same thing that always gets the United States, the defense. Also, we have to point out the weather, and the pitch problems that have been so talked about during this World Cup. Matt Beisler once again came up with a gimpy hammy, and the States are already down a player with a bad hammy. Two goals against a weakened Portugal side, isn’t that good folks, Tim Howard is an amazing goalie, but he can’t play out of his mind every match. Geoff Cameron is like the rest of the defense, is as touchy as a Jenga tower, one small touch and BOOOOOOMwe go. DaMarcus Beasley is an older player and isn’t a LB. You had to put on Omar Gonzalez, who isn’t that good of a defender anymore, and he’s young. Portugal had it’s chances and got shots on goal, and couldn’t really ask for more, had Tim Howard been a worse goalie, it would be horrible. Michael Bradley has had two horrible matches and once again he’s got to play better since he’s USA soccer royality. He’s got to cut the mistakes because Germany will pounce and knock the nation out.

What was good about the match? Jermaine Jones. He’s playing in his first World Cup, and dictated play, played hard, and scored the first goal. It was a good way for him to look at his detractors to say, watch me get the points the home nation needs to win. Jermaine Jones is used to beating players like this playing in Germany and Turkey. Fabian Johnson has had an eye opening great tournament, he’s one of the most reliable players in the midfield. Keeping it a 4-2-3-1 would be perfect, Dempsey up top is always going to will the team to win. Playing with a broken nose, he just wants the second round.

Goals by Jermaine Jones and the Captain Clint Dempsey gave the fans what they wanted. Of course going into the final dying minutes it looked like the United States had progressed to the knockout round. And then the defense fell apart again, allowing Christiano to float a cross in, that was as world class as him.

Once again, Dempsey and Kyle Beckerman played out of their minds, like we’ve come to expect out of them for each match. Tim Howard shows his breathtaking skill at great times. This World Cup is about rallying around that one chance to win the match. It’s an opportunistic type of tournament, one that with another match for the United States against Germany could set the nation on a plateau that we’ve never been at. Ok, breathe out United States Soccer fans, we’ve made it to one more match day.