Jurgen Klinsmann Was Questioned before the World Cup, But No One’s Complaining Now
The USA-Belgium World Cup match this Tuesday promises to be one of the most important match in US soccer history. Belgium is a favorite to knock the Americans out of the tournament, but the US team defied the oddsmakers in the group phase of the tournament. Most experts believe the Americans had little chance to emerge from Group G, which included the FIFA #2 ranked team (Germany), #4 ranked team (Portugal), and long time US nemesis (Ghana).
Bovada has the Belgium National Team as a decided favorite in the match at -105. To win $100 on a Belgian win, a gambler would have to bet $105. Meanwhile, the Americans are a +270 underdog. If you wagered $100 on the US National Team and won, then you would win an additional $270. While that isn’t an overwhelming underdog, it is a significant disparity. Many US gamblers are likely to accept such a moneyline wager. The Belgians have looked strong in this World Cup, going 3-0. The Americans have played much tougher competition, collecting a 1-1-1 record.
Americans Beat Ghana
When the Americans began the World Cup, they were the #13 ranked team in the FIFA rankings. Yet they were considered underdogs to the 34th-ranked team from Ghana, because the Ghanaians had knocked the US National Team out of the last two World Cups. Yet the Americans scored 24 seconds into the match, led for most of the remainder of play, and quickly added the winning goal after Ghana tied the scored.
US Teams Contols Portugal
Next, the Americans played a highly-touted team from Portugal, which boasted the highest-paid player in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano is the star for Real Madrid, the European champions. He is paid $21 million by Real Madrid, while his yearly income is estimated to be $80 million by Forbes. Yet Ronaldo looked sloppy and frustrated most of the match, while the Americans dominated play after allowing a soft 5th-minute goal. For the next 85 minutes, the US team dominated play, going ahead 2-1. Only in the last 30 seconds did Ronaldo set up a goal that equalized the score. Still, the Americans went into their third match with a stranglehold on 2nd place in Group G.
The third match involved was a match with German National Team, but the Germans only needed a tie to win the group. Germany is always considered a favorite at World Cups, having won 3 titles in their history. With stars like Thomas Mueller, Mario Gotze, Mesut Osil, and Miroslav Klose, none felt the Americans could play with the Germans. Germany controlled possession most of the match, but the score was 0-0 until late. Eventually, Germany added a winning goal, but the Americans did not embarrass themselves. More importantly, the Portuguese defeated Ghana in a simultaneous match, giving the Americans the 2nd place they needed to move on.
Next Up: 3-0 Belgium
Their opponents are the Belgians, who have the youngest team in the tournament (average age: 26). Belgium is the 11th-ranked team according to FIFA, as well as the 1st place finisher in Group H.
Belgium beat Algeria 2-1, defeated Russia 1-0, and South Korea 1-0. Belgium thus has allowed only 1 goal in the tournament. That goal was allowed to an Algerian team which looked quite strong in a 2-1 loss to Germany in the knockout stage (update).
My Prediction
It is not easy to maintain an unbeaten, untied streak in football (soccer). Scores are so few and bounces are so unpredictable, it’s hard to maintain momentum. The 3-0 Netherlands looked well-nigh unbeatable in group stage, but were down 0-1 to the Mexican National Team until an 88th minute goal tied the game. They were lucky to get a penalty call in stoppage time and avoid a grueling 30 minute overtime. Both teams looked sluggish in the final minutes of regulation.
The point being, Belgium has a talented team, but the Americans have played more talented opponents in this tournament already. Belgium has an extra day’s rest and a young squad, which could give them a particular advantage in the Brazilian heat. Yet the US team might have Josey Altidore back for the match. Even without Altidore, they should be relaxed as an underdog who’s already made it further than most U.S. fans imagined they could. Clint Dempsey remains dangerous, while Michael Bradley is due for a breakout game. If I were wagering, I would take a chance on this particular +270 underdog than the -105 Belgians.
