Can the USA make it past the first round FIFA Germany 2006?
477581
It's tough to say.  I would say no.  Italy, Czech Republic and Ghana are tough teams and will have stronger fan support than the Americans.  Additionally, the US seem a little overconfident because of their strong performance in the last World Cup.  The only way the US will make it past the first round is if one or two of the other teams play poorly.
1134484
after the US's gr8 showing in the last world cup (knocked out by germany in the quarters, possibly due to a dodgy handballed german goal), I'm suprised it hasn't taken off more than it has.\n\nI think it's a case of what you grow up with. From what I gather, it's only recently that US tv has started to provide decent coverage of soccer - until now all americans have had is all american sports like american football & baseball.\n\nI think it will take off pretty soon if the US team can maintain or improve their form. You've drawn a tricky group this year, but if you can get through that, I wouldn't be suprised to see you make the semifinals - and the US become as football crazy as England! \n\nBest of luck!\n\nEDIT: Can I just take this opportunity to call the previous respondent (badal) an idiot! If the US didn't make the top 32, how come they're still in the tourney?
399147
I think it would be too hard to bet against Germany in their own country.  However, aside from them beating a "B" US squad on their own turf, they haven't faired too well recently.  Note: 4-1 loss to Italy, in Italy, just prior to the US game.\n\nI think this is the most wide-open Cup I've seen in a while, and wouldn't be surprised to see a country like Portugal (who is well deserving) find its way to the top.\n\ncamricha
1121567
In my opinion USA can't show good performance in the fortcoming fifa worldcup as it has to win the great power block like italy and czech republic in its first round. both of its great rivals are going germany with great hope of wining. but dont give up hope USA fan it is football anything can happen as croatia did in wc '98.
387649
'USA vs GER' just can 'happen' in SemiFinals or third-fourth placing match.
470998
Mate, you're mad.  Brazil could send a third choice squad and still finish in the top eight.  Their starting line up will be Ronaldo, Adriano, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Juninho, and Emerson.  Please, they can break down any defense at will.\n\nIf you want to argue that they won't win because they have a suspect defense, I will entertain that arguement.  Out of Croatia, Japan, and Australia which team is beating them?   None.\n\nWhen they win group F, they will play the runner-up in Group E -- probably the US (the latest rumor is that Nedved is retiring and Koller will not be fit --which I think puts the US ahead of the Czechs).  You think the US is beating Brazil???  I'd love to see it, but I am still connected to reality.
357914
I think he meant the semifinals.  The US did make it last time 'round, but then again so did Senegal, Turkey and South Korea.  I personally do not think they will pass the first round this time.  The team is getting a little boastful because of their strong showing in '02, and it shows in the media and the fans.  Facing extremely strong teams such as Italy, Czech Republic and even Ghana (watch out for them US fans, they are stronger than many think) in round one, it will take a very strong tournament for them to make it to the Round of 16.  Plus I don't think teams will underestimate them again (Mexico's big mistake in 2002).  All things being equal, if all four teams play strong this year, US will be 3rd maybe even 4th, with many draws and close games, but I think the US doesn't have the skill to play tight games with strong teams as of now.\n\nAs for the round of 4, they might make it in the next decade.  It doesn't mean the US are a bad team, just not the top four in the world.  (Coca Cola/ FIFA rankings don't mean anything, its a wacky system that few take seriously)
1031054
FIFA and Media combined to make this mess. How the US is(was) ranked #5 in the world is beyond me. US was exposed in this world cup. Decent players, but they really are not that good.
642977
Good question. I saw them play U.S. recently. And although U.S. was missing many stars due to league obligations, Germany won convincingly. Strong team. Good defense. Good tacklers. Never count Germany out. Often, folks count them out and almost every year they go far. Sometimes to the finals. I would say that they have an outside shot. I'd put them in the top ten somewhere. Netherlands, Czech republic, and others would probably rank above them. But I would put my money on Brazil.
1165060
not possible. US only has one whereas Ghana has three. only one of the will get up to three points next game. Italy already has 4, and Czechs have 3, and one of them will get at least one point. so they'll move on.
393069
Given that there are many Americans using this site, I know the "popular" answer will be they can do well, or even win the tournament. However, the realistic answer is that they are underdogs, and will struggle to compete with the top teams.\n\nOf course, in a game of football anything can happen and sometimes unfancied teams can do well - Greece won the European Championships against all the odds, for example.\n\nThey have a tough group to qualify from - Italy have a strong team, and the Czech Republic are no pushovers. Ghana are obviously the weakest of the 4 teams, but as they play them last the pressure will probably be well and truly on for that match.\n\nBasically, they need to get a win from their opening game against the Czechs, because the chances are Italy will be too strong for them to get anything from that game. This will mean they go into the game against Ghana pretty much knowing a win should take them through to the knockout stages. Should they fail in their opening game, by the time they face Ghana they will probably be playing only for pride.\n\nPresuming they reach the qualifying rounds, there is a very good chance they will have to play Brazil next (the runners up in group E play the winners of group F). \n\nTherefore, I would suggest that if USA manage to get to the last 16, and are then beaten by Brazil, they will have had a very good tournament and done as well as you can hope for. Anything over that will be a massive achievement for the team.
986976
Not until the USA makes it into the final round of play.
479093
The US is arguably in one the toughest groups of the world cup. They will have to be playing Italy, the Czech Republic, and Ghana. I figure they should be getting past Ghana. They will have to at least beat either Italy or the Czech Republic (or tie each of these teams). I think that they have a good chance of advancing out of their group. If they do they will probably be the second place team in their group. In this case, they will play the winner of group F. This will most likely be Brazil that is where their world cup trip ends. So, their only hope is to be the team with the most points in their group. In this case, they will have to play most likely Japan. From their they will go on to the quarterfinals where I don't think they will be able to win. They will probably have a good run, either way.
20955
I think they have a shot to get to the next round. Italy is tough to beat, but they may win to Ghana and Czech Republic. As long as they know how to distribute their energy Ghana will be easy to beat, and the Czech Republic is a similar team but USA can outrun them.
1036000
Germany!!! if they can pass the first round
1094520
As long as the Czech's win it should go someway towards Fifa correcting that hugely false position the US hold in the world rankings. 3-0 or so i reckon
1064836
I agree, USA ranked fifth on the world is a joke, who have they beat? and the championship that US organized, they end up inviting teams that are barely able to make it to the world cup.