FIFA World Cup: USA vs. Portugal for Round of 16

The United States kick off their second World Cup match today against Portugal. With Germany and Ghana drawing yesterday, the US will qualify for the round of 16 with a victory today. That's about all the rational stuff I can manage, the rest of this post is likely to be laced with feelings.

"It had to start somewhere, it had to start sometime."

With the Ghana-Germany draw the US SPI index odds for getting out of the group dropped from 69% to 64%. However, their odds for winning the group went up from 12% to 20%. The US are still considered the favorites to finish second, and those odds will change significantly depending on today's result.

"What better place than here? What better time than now?"

Win, like when the US beat Columbia 2-1 on this date in 1994, and the odds no longer matter. The last time the United States won twice in the group stage portion of the World Cup was 1930. Wins were worth two points then. However, the US and Mexico were the only CONCACAF sides to win two straight matches at the World Cup before Costa Rica pulled it off on Friday. This World Cup has been about shattering expectations.

"All hell can't stop us now"

This is the match I've been waiting for since 1994. I believe that we will win. Portugal are without Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Huga Almeida, or Rui Patricio. Bruno Alves is a match time decision. Cristiano Ronaldo has been a well documented case of injury concerns.

"All hell can't stop us now"