After being tabbed for an early World Cup exit, the United States is only a tie away Thursday against Germany from surviving the Group of Death. And coach Jurgen Klinsmann said even if the US isn’t as good as his former team, the Americans can still beat Germany, and can reach the knockout round by knocking out the favorites.
“Germany are part of the three or four big teams in this World Cup that have the potential to win it. We don’t claim that for us. We’re a team that has to go from game to game and want to learn, grow and get results, too,’’ said Klinsmann. “I just want the players to come into [Thursday] and give everything they have, just like they did against Ghana and Portugal.
“If they give everything and show the energy and positivity they did in those two games, we can get a result. We’re capable of beating Germany and we know that. Without being overconfident, we know it is possible. As you have seen this World Cup, it is full of surprises — and we want to be one of those surprises. We’ve done a good job so far, but we aren’t there yet. We still need one point.’’
Klinsmann knows better than most how hard it will be to get that one point the US needs to clinch advancement. He was the star striker on the Germans’ last World Cup-winning team in 1990, and coached them to a third-place finish in 2006. Now he’ll face friend and former assistant Joachim Loew, whose second-ranked team is the highest left in Brazil after defending champion Spain’s ouster.
“Jurgen is right when he says that we’re not underdogs. Our players don’t believe we’re underdogs,” said US Soccer president Sunil Gulati, who hired Klinsmann and handed him a four-year extension right before the World Cup. If the US advances, it’ll make him look smart.
Pet-keys to the game
Red Bulls coach Mike Petke — an ex-U.S. National Team defender — gives his three keys for the U.S. National Team before each World Cup game. Here is his analysis for Thursday’s game against Germany.
Focus on Germany: My first point is, don’t get caught up in scenarios. They have to approach this game like they did minutes 15 through 94 ½ of the last game. These are all big boys, pros who’ve played at high levels. They can’t get caught up in uncontrollable like the Portugal-Ghana score. They need to just play their game.
Wear them down: The U.S. is good at getting in a really solid defensive shape. I’m not saying play for a tie and sit back. But if I take anything away from Ghana-Germany, from the 50th, 60th minute, the Germans absolutely died in the heat. MLS players are used to heat and humidity. They’re workhorses. If we can get in a good, solid shape, wear them down, make them tired … the game will open up and benefit us more than them. Be smart, be intelligent and I’m confident they’re going to wear down.
Turn the keys: And our key players need show up 100 percent. Michael Bradley’s not a scapegoat, but he needs to get back do what he does, be that driving force box-to-box. Another key is Geoff Cameron. Both goals allowed to Portugal, he had an influence on both. He’s a damn good player, but put that out of your mind, do what you do … be solid and be safe.
“For the first time in our recent history, our players believe they’re capable of beating anyone,” Gulati said. “That doesn’t mean we think we’re the favorites in any game, but we are capable of beating anyone. Our players, our coach, we all believe that. Our play has demonstrated that is the case.”
Expected to finish last in Group G, the US has four points and will clinch a berth in the Round of 16 with a win, draw or even a tie between Portugal and Ghana, a game that will be played simultaneously to US-Germany. The US can also advance if Portugal or Ghana wins, but those scenarios count on tiebreakers.
Klinsmann isn’t interested in charity — he’s more concerned with victory.
“We’re very hungry. We’re very ambitious,’’ said Klinsmann, whose team includes Jermaine Jones, Fabian Johnson, Timmy Chandler, John Brooks and Julian Green — all born to US servicemen and raised in Germany, with all but Green born in the country they’ll now try to upset Thursday.
Even a draw won’t come easy.
Before the US gave up a gut-wrenching, 95th-minute equalizer on a play that started with Michael Bradley’s turnover in the last minute of stoppage time, the midfielder had not played up to his own high standards for quite some time. Can the US get Bradley, arguably its best player, back in form, especially when he is marked by struggling Philipp Lahm, who is being forced to play out of position at defensive midfield?
Clint Dempsey has scored in both games, but without Jozy Altidore will Klinsmann play with a lone forward, or pair Dempsey with another forward such as Aron Johannsson or Chris Wondolowski to attack the Germans’ back line, the closest thing they have to an Achilles’ heel?
While Portugal attacked down the flanks with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, Germany — despite the presence of Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze out wide — is more than capable of attacking up the gut. Can defensemen Matt Besler (who has cramped repeatedly) and Geoff Cameron (whose failed clearance led to Nani’s goal and who lost Silvestre Varela on the equalizing header) hold up?
How many of those questions the US can answer may determine how long they get to stay in Brazil.