U.S. Loses to Germany but Still Advances in World Cup

4 minute read

Unattractive, maybe, but not undeserved. The U.S. national men’s soccer team advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup on Thursday despite losing to Germany. The U.S. withstood a German onslaught that yielded just one goal — Thomas Mueller’s perfectly placed shot from 18 yards in the 55th minute.

The 1-0 loss, combined with Portugal’s 2-1 win over a dissent-wracked Ghana team, means that the U.S. advances based on goal differential. The U.S. will most likely play Belgium, a team that is loaded with talent.

Continuing his penchant for surprises, U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann made two changes to the lineup that played against Portugal. Central defender Omar Gonzales, who had lost favor going into the tournament, was called in to replace Geoff Cameron, whose mistakes had cost the team the win over Portugal. He also dropped Alejandro Bedoya for Brad Davis in midfield. The choice of the 6-ft. 4-in. Gonzales proved another good one, as his ability in the air was critical to keeping Germany off the scoreboard in the first
half.

“It really kick-started his tournament,” Klinsmann said. “He was ready for it.”

The game was played in a soaking rainstorm, and the sodden pitch may have slowed down a U.S. team already heavy-legged from playing in Manaus. Germany dominated ball possession, 60% to 40% in the first half, as the U.S. continued to give away passes. Midfielders Jermaine Jones, who put in another monster performance, and Kyle Beckerman were forced to work overtime to recover lost balls.

The first U.S. shot of any significance didn’t come until 22 minutes into the game when Graham Zusi’s blast from the left side of the box fizzed over. But those opportunities were few because of the lack of possession.

The U.S. would pay the price in the 55th minute when Germany, after working a short corner kick play, launched a cross into the box that was headed on goal by Benedikt Hoewedes, and parried by U.S. goalie Tim Howard. Mueller collected that rebound, loaded and fired. For just a few minutes, the U.S. looked like it was going to fall apart.

But in Brasília, where Ghana played Portugal, the weather was better and the news brighter. Ghana had given up an own goal to Portugal, and in the crazy calculations that determine which teams advance in case they are tied on points, Portugal would have to score four more to get past the U.S. if the Americans had a one-goal loss. Ghana knotted that game at 1-1 in the 57th minute — more good news because in case of the draw the U.S. advanced too. And when Portugal went ahead in the 80th minute, courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo, all looked good for the U.S. cause.

Klinsmann and his staff had been monitoring that match and could sense that Portugal wasn’t going to be able to add to its total. “It kind of calmed me down in the last five minutes,” he said.

Indeed, the U.S. almost grabbed a late equalizer when Bedoya’s goalward header was blocked by Thomas Lahm in the dying seconds. It would have been a just reward for the U.S. effort through the first round. Instead, the reward will be a match against a Belgium team that is loaded with starts such as Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany. There can be no winning-by-losing this time.

“It’s a knockout,” noted Klinsmann. “You gotta win the game, no matter how.”

U.S. and Germany Battle it Out in Group of Death

U.S. fans cheer before the start of the 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match against German at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 26, 2014.
U.S. fans cheer before the start of the 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match against German at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 26, 2014.Tony Gentile—Reuters
Germany's Thomas Mueller challenges goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
Germany's Thomas Mueller challenges goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014. Ruben Sprich—Reuters
An United States fan looks on in the rain prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil group G match between the United States and Germany at Arena Pernambuco on June 26, 2014 in Recife, Brazil.
An United States fan looks on in the rain prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil group G match between the United States and Germany at Arena Pernambuco on June 26, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. Martin Rose—Getty Images
Germany's Thomas Mueller falls over Omar Gonzalez of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
Germany's Thomas Mueller falls over Omar Gonzalez of the U.S. during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014. Ruben Sprich—Reuters
Michael Bradley of the U.S. falls over Germany's Lukas Podolski during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
Michael Bradley of the U.S. falls over Germany's Lukas Podolski during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014. Ruben Sprich—Reuters
Alex Dubin reacts with other United States fans while watching the 2014 World Cup soccer match between the United States and Germany at a public viewing party in San Francisco on June 26, 2014.
Alex Dubin reacts with other United States fans while watching the 2014 World Cup soccer match between the United States and Germany at a public viewing party in San Francisco on June 26, 2014. Jeff Chiu—AP
Meanwhile in the Portugal match...good news for the US...(R) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo watches the ball after Ghana's goalkeeper Fatau Dauda made a save. (L) Ghana's John Boye scores an own goal during the Group G match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia Brazil on June 26, 2014.
Meanwhile in the Ghana vs. Portugal match...(R) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo watches the ball after Ghana's goalkeeper Fatau Dauda made a save. (L) Ghana's John Boye scores an own goal during the Group G match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia Brazil on June 26, 2014. Photos by David Gray—Reuters
Germany's Thomas Mueller scores past goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 26, 2014.
Germany's Thomas Mueller scores past goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 26, 2014. Brian Snyder—Reuters
Germany's players celebrate for Thomas Muller's goal at the Arena Pernambuco Stadium in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014.
Germany's players celebrate for Thomas Muller's goal at the Arena Pernambuco Stadium in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014.Xinhua/Sipa USA
German fans watch as their team play against the U.S. at the Fanmeile public viewing arena in Berlin on June 26, 2014.
German fans watch as their team play against the U.S. at the Fanmeile public viewing arena in Berlin on June 26, 2014. Thomas Peter—Reuters
(L) Ghana's Asamoah Gyan scores past Portugal's goalkeeper Bet. (R) Asamoah Gyan celebrates scoring a goal with teammate John Boye during their match against Portugal at the Brasilia National Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
(L) Ghana's Asamoah Gyan scores past Portugal's goalkeeper Bet. (R) Asamoah Gyan celebrates scoring a goal with teammate John Boye during their match against Portugal at the Brasilia National Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil on June 26, 2014.Jorge Silva—Reuters; Ueslei Marceino—Reuters
United States' Jermaine Jones, foreground, and United States' Alejandro Bedoya lie injured after colliding with each other at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
United States' Jermaine Jones, foreground, and United States' Alejandro Bedoya lie injured after colliding with each other at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.Hassan Ammar—AP
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a chance to score during the group G World Cup soccer match between Portugal and Ghana at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a chance to score during the match between Portugal and Ghana at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil on June 26, 2014.Dolores Ochoa—AP; David Gray—Reuters
Fans watch USA play Germany in a World Cup soccer match on one of two large screens placed for fans in Grant Park on June 26, 2014 in Chicago.
Fans watch USA play Germany in a World Cup soccer match on one of two large screens placed for fans in Grant Park on June 26, 2014 in Chicago.Scott Olson—Getty Images
U.S. players acknowledge supporters at the end of their match against Germany at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.
U.S. players acknowledge supporters at the end of their match against Germany at the Pernambuco arena in Recife, Brazil on June 26, 2014.Lazlo Balogh—Reuters
Soccer Fans Gather To Watch US v Germany World Cup Match
Thousands of soccer fans gather in Dupont Circle park to watch the US v Germany World Cup match on June 26, 2014 in Washington.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images

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