PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images
The World Cup kicks off on Thursday and here's who and what to keep an eye on when the action starts.
BEST FIRST-ROUND MATCHES
Rick Bowmer/AP
HOW THE U.S. CAN ADAVANCE WITHOUT BEATING GHANA
- Draw with Ghana, draw with Portugal, draw with Germany (which should have already clinched at this point with two victories). This looks like a group of many draws, so put Ghana-Portugal down as another one.
- Draw with Ghana, beat Portugal, lose to Germany. Everybody expects the U.S. to have more trouble with Portugal than with Ghana, but the Americans traditionally play well against technically skilled, Western European sides like Spain, Italy and Portugal. Just pack the box, force them outside to the wings and look for the counter.
THE FIVE BEST PLAYERS AT THE WORLD CUP
THE FIVE BEST PLAYERS WHO WON'T BE THERE
Title : 2014 World Cup: The best matchups, players and the US vs. Ghana situation
Description : PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images The World Cup kicks off on Thursday and here's who and what to keep an eye on when the action starts....