U.S. faces a challenging World Cup draw
Here’s an easy mnemonic for the United States’ World Cup draw Friday morning: Group G is for good grief.
“It’s a very difficult draw,” former U.S. international star Brian McBride said of Team USA pitted against Ghana, Portugal and Germany. “I don’t know if there’s a group that has four teams that the last time they were in the World Cup they all got out of their group. That means there’s two teams that are not going to achieve what they achieved the World Cup before.”
The Americans will have to earn their way from group play into the Round of 16. But don’t think for a minute it’s impossible.
“It is what it is. It’s a spectacle, and we’ve got a tough group, but we can do it,” said a man who should know, former U.S. Soccer secretary-general Hank Steinbrecher.
Steinbrecher said the most likely way involves a U.S. win in the opener against Ghana, a draw against Portugal and a loss to powerful Germany when the games begin next June. But Steinbrecher also remembers 1994, when a similar plan wound up being reversed once the players hit the field. The Americans advanced from group play, but not the way they expected.
“I kind of like the idea of being grossly considered the underdog,” said Steinbrecher, a Glen Ellyn resident. “And I think we’re better than we think we are.”
The Americans have a history with all three teams in their group. They were eliminated by Ghana in 2006 and again in the 2010 Round of 16, making the Black Stars something of a nemesis.
“It’s hard for any country to beat another country three times in a World Cup,” Steinbrecher said. “So I think you can take Ghana.”
Portugal boasts Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s best players, but Portugal struggled through qualifying. If anyone knows Portugal can be beaten, it’s McBride, who led the Americans’ 2002 World Cup upset. That result will be on the minds of Portugal’s players, however, the Arlington Heights resident said.
“Portugal is not going to be caught napping this time around,” said McBride, a Buffalo Grove High School grad. “The guys need to be focused from the get-go.”
The United States also played Germany in 2002, losing in a quarterfinal. It also lost to the Germans in 1998, with current U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann scoring for Germany.
As if their opponents aren’t tough enough, the Americans also face difficult travel within Brazil, racking up about 9,000 miles from its base in Sao Paolo to the three game sites and back.
“The part I’m worried about is the travel schedule,” Steinbrecher said. “To me that’s a killer. It takes your focus off playing.”
Kudos:Congratulations to Chicago-area native Mike Magee, who was named MLS MVP on Thursday. Traded to the Fire in late May, Magee finished the season with 21 goals, nearly leading the Fire to the playoffs after the team#146;s worst start in its history.Getting technical: The Fire announced Friday that new coach Frank Yallop has hired former Columbus Crew technical director Brian Bliss to the same position with the Fire. Bliss is the first outside hire for Yallop since he was brought onboard on Halloween. He still has to fill out his the rest of his technical staff, with only strength and conditioning coach Tony Jouaux remaining from Frank Klopas#146; staff.Bliss was not available for comment.#147;Brian brings a wealth of knowledge to this position and will be a tremendous asset to the technical staff,#148; Yallop said in a team release. #147;Brian has been involved with MLS for many years and has a proven track record of building championship-caliber squads. I#146;m excited to add Brian#146;s expertise to the Fire and look forward to working alongside him.#148;Follow Orrin on Twitter @orrin_schwarzSOC21071543FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke shows the ticket of USA during the draw ceremony Friday for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. will play in Group G.Associated Press SOCWSOC40002740Groups A to D are displayed on a video screen during the draw ceremony for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on Friday. Associated Press WSOC