USA - GER: A Tie will advance them both - does anything else matter - ex or current players? No, in a tournament like this you ONLY care about NOT going home.
So let's look at this in more detail:
IF USA wins, great, but Germany can still go through unless they lose big to USA (yeah right) or Ghana/Portugal also win big in their game. There is a 3 (with Ghana) - 6 (with Portugal) goal differential. I like Germany chances either way, so they will do the minimum necessary.
IF Germany wins, then USA needs a tie in the POR/GHA game or they need Portugal to win with a 1 or 2 goal margin. If GHA wins it's going to come down to goal differential, then goals scored (both these will depend on outcome of both games), and then direct competition, which USA won.
So unless players on either side develop some mistimed pride and nationalism and considering Yogi and Klinsi used to basically be neighbors and are friends - wouldn't say they are both smart - and obviously they will talk - hopefully ONLY the NSA will tap into it),
where was I , ah yes conspiracy theory ....
Bottom line, as a player, while you want to win, here the win is to:
1) move on
2) save energy
and USA will be at a huge disadvantage after that game in Manaus (remember what happened to England AND Italy after they played there.
I am rooting for a tie, I want both to advance !!!
Here it is graphically (THX to a good friend):
!!!
