March 28, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

United States Backs Into World Cup Knockout Stage

United States
The United States has advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup. (Thinkstock)

The man who prevented United States Soccer from advancing to the World Cup Knockout Stage a few days ago is the same man who helped propel the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) to the second round of soccer’s greatest event.

Despite the United States losing 1-0 to Germany in the final game of Group G play on June 26 at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, a goal late by Ronald gave Portugal a 2-1 victory over Ghana, allowing the USMNT to advance to the Knockout Stage.

Lost the battle, won the war, was the common phrase uttered by commentators and analyst after the match, as the  many soccer observers believed the United States would not advance out of the Group of Death.

It was Ronaldo who assisted on the equalizing goal in the final seconds of the USA-Portugal match last Sunday. Had the United States held on to beat Portugal a few days ago, we would have advanced to the Round of 16 outright. The loss on June 22 meant the United States had to either tie or beat Germany, or hope for a Portugal win or tie, to advance out of the Group of Death.

Ronaldo found the back of the net in the 84th minute to help Portugal defeat Ghana, 2-1, giving the United States the path it needed to move forward despite losing to Germany.

Germany wins Group G outright with 7 points (2-0-1), while the United States finishes in second place with 4 points (1-1-1).

The Germans scored the match’s sole goal, when Thomas Muller found the back of the net in the 55th minute. Germany dominated the match,statistically speaking, outshooting the United States 13 to 4. The Americans only had one shot on goal and controlled possession for only 36 percent.

With the 1-0 loss, the United States had a goal differential of zero (4 goals in favor, 4 goals allowed). The zero-goal differential allowed the United States to finish ahead of Portugal in Group G standings.

It is the second World Cup the United States advanced out of Group Play. The United States played in the Round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup, but failed to advance any further after a 2-1 loss to Ghana that year.

Looking ahead, the United States will play against the winner of Group H. That winner is likely to be Belgium, who handily defeated the United States, 4-2, in an international friendly in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2013.

“It’s huge,” Jurgen Klinsmann said in a post-game interview on the field right after the match. “Everyone said we have no chance … but we advanced. The energy was great. The commitment was great. This is a huge, huge step.”

Tim Howard said the United States is not satisfied with just advancing out of Group Play and will not settle with simply earning a berth in the Round of 16, which, the goalkeeper said, “shows how far we come.”

Howard made five saves for the United States, which played without one of its star players in Jozy Altidore for most of Group Play.

Altidore could be available to play in the Round of 16 match, which is set for Tuesday, July 1.

The best the United States has ever done in a World Cup was a quarterfinal finish, which was most recently accomplished in 2002. A win on Tuesday would give the United States its second quarterfinal berth in four World Cup appearances.

In 2002, the United States lost to Germany in the quarterfinal. Coincidentally, the Germans won that match 1-0, as well.

Unlike Group Play, there are no ties in the Knockout Phase.

Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Culver City Police Department to Conduct High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Operation

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Operation Targets Hazardous Traffic Violations on the West End The Culver City Police Department announced plans to conduct a high...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Culver City City Council Recap: Bruce Lee Alley, Historical Discrimination Study, Women’s History Month

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Council Deliberates on Racial Equity, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Fire Department Strategic Plan The Culver City Council convened its latest session...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

Staples Store in Westchester Could Become a Senior Housing Complex

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Redevelopment Plans Unveiled for Property Near LAX The current site of a Staples retail store near Los Angeles International Airport...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...