USA World Cup Preview

The USA has a solid squad and a good midfield, but can they get out of the Group of Death. Not only are they in the toughest group this summer, but also have to face Ghana in group play, which is a team that has ousted the Americans in the last two World Cups. They have not looked good in World Cup tune-ups with their only wins coming only coming on American soil. They have the 3^rd worst odds to win their group and while they have slightly better betting odds to win the group than Ghana they have the best betting odds to finish in the bottom of the group.

Group Preview

The Americans are in Group G along with Germany, who have the 3^rd best odds to win the World Cup overall, Portugal, and Ghana. Their first match is facing Ghana and if they do not take away 3 points from that one they have a major uphill battle to advance to the last 16. They face Portugal in their next match and their defense must play well against a great attack. Germany is their last match and they are a stacked squad that has no glaring weaknesses.

BETTING ODDS

Odds to win World Cup: +22500

Odds to win Group: +1100

Odds to finish bottom of group: +110

 

Best World Cup Finish: Third Place (1930)

 

World Cup Match Schedule

 

16/06/14 Ghana vs. United States – Estadio das Dunas

22/06/14 United States vs. Portugal – Arena Amazonia

26/06/14 United States vs. Germany – Arena Pernambuco

 

Qualifying

The Americans did not have the best start to qualifying with a loss and a draw in their first 3 matches, but after that they won 6 and only lost 1. Their toughest match up in CONCACAF qualifying was facing Mexico, who is also playing this summer in Brazil, and they played to a draw on the road and won at home. In 3 of their last 5 qualifying matches the defense played well with 3 clean sheets and their offense was solid at the end of the process scoring 7 goals in their last 3 matches. Overall, the USA had a qualifying record of 7-2-1.

Strengths and Weaknesses

AS Roma’s Michael Bradley leads the strength of the Americans, which is their midfield and they are also a good team when it comes to close range shots. Jozy Altidore from Sunderland is the main scoring threat, but he has really been in a drought this year and in the EPL this season he only had a grand total 1 goal. Everton GK Tim Howard is, once again, the leader of a defense, which is a go

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