World Cup Preview - Group G - USA

Nickname: “Sam’s Army.”

Absurd FIFA ranking: 13th

Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

Game Schedule:
June 16 – U.S.A. vs. Ghana (Natal, 6:00 p.m. EST, ESPN)
June 22 – U.S.A. vs. Portugal (Manaus, 6:00 p.m., ESPN)
June 26 – U.S.A. vs. Germany (Recife, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)

Prospects: The US ended up top of CONCACAF qualifying but that result flattered what was an up and down series with the US benefiting from indifferent form on the part of Mexico. Their reward is being included in the Group of Death. This gives them the chance to exact revenge on Ghana for defeats in both 2006 and 2010. Beyond that, though, the US are on a hiding to nothing in Brazil this summer. Any points at all against Germany or Portugal or a victory against Ghana might be considered a reasonable return but the US could quite easily go 0-3 and return early with one of the worst records in the tournament.

Key Player: Toronto FC's Michael Bradley is a box-to-box midfielder who can keep things tight against the better sides and contribute to the attack. He'll have to be at his very best this summer in order to for the US to even survive.

Youngster to watch: 23 year-old Rosenberg midfielder Mikkel Diskerud is one of the brightest young stars for the US side. A very cultured schemer.

Who Will Get the Goals: Clint Dempsey has always shown a nose for goals wherever he's played in the MLS or in England. With Landon Donovan cut from the squad, Dempsey is the US squad's top goalscorer with 37.

Who Will Get the Cards: Sporting Kansas City center back Matt Besler will be under tremendous pressure in all three fixtures with the likes of Kevin Prince Boateng, Cristiano Ronaldo and Thomas Muller running at him.

Prediction: The US tend see-saw back and forth between miserable group stage exits and glorious knock-out round performances. This one promises to be the former rather than the latter. Bottom of Group G, sadly.