re: Let's write the World Cup

Group G

USA Roster
GK- Howard, Guzan, Rimando
DEF- Cherundolo RB, Chandler, Lichaj, Brooks, Gonzales CB, Besler CB, Cameron, Beasley, FJ LB
MID- Donovan RM, Zusi, Diskerud, JJ CM, Bradley CM, Holden, Dempsey CAM
FWD- Jozy ST, Bacon LM, Boyd

It starts off with a hyped up match of Germany vs Portugal. In 32th minute Phillip Lahm's and Ronaldo's knees bang into each other and both are carted off the pitch. Both play a man down until half. In 48th minute Ozil strikes a ball from 27 yards out and it looks like it is going in, but the goalies finger tips knock the ball off of the crossbar. 7 minutes later Nani draws a PK and Portugal convert going up 1-0. Mario Gotze is brought on as a sub and in the 86th minute Ozil sends a ball into him and he scores off a header. Game ends 1-1.

USMNT plays Ghana and obliterates them from the start, with Bradley scoring off a volley from the top of the box in the 3rd minute. KPB turns the ball over at midfield allowing Besler to send a ball to Aron Bacon who makes a brilliant pass to Jozy who slides it into the goal. Things get chippy when Gyan shoves Cherundolo to the ground and is sent off in 79th minute. On the Free kick Dolo sends a ball to donovan who passes it to Diskerud(SUB for JJ) and he passes it back to a darting Donovan down the line who cuts back into the box and finds an open T. Boyd(SUB for Jozy). Game ends 3-0

Next is Ghana vs Germany
Ayew gets a break after Jerome Boateng slips on the turf and gets an easy goal putting Ghana up 1-0 through 12 minutes. After that Germany's talent takes over and use their technical ability to overpower Ghana and win 2-1.

USMNT vs Portugal
Since Ronaldo tore his MCL and is out for the tournament JJ is dropped from the midfield and Bacon is brought up to striker and chandler is inserted at LB pushing FJ to LM.

Game starts off slow due to a heavy rain in the Rain Forest. Portugal is sitting back trying to the catch the US on a counter. They catch us and the ball flies by a pulled out Tim Howard, but is deflected by a darting Chandler before the ball crosses the line. Howard makes an acrobatic save after a break down in the midfield. The US finally gains some momentum and Donovan sends a corner into the box and JAB(SUB for OG) snaps into the lower left corner past Portugal's keeper in 65th minute. Dempsey/Cherundolo/Bradley all pick up yellows. US wins 1-0.


US vs Germany
The US trots out the original XI for this game. The US needs a draw to play the loser of Belgium and Korea. Germany finds their grove early on, but can't convert on any of their chances. US attack is stagnant, but they get a chance in 53rd minute when Zusi sends in a cross(SUB for AJ) to Dempsey, but he narrowly misses and hits the frame. In the 77th minute Gonzales gets called for a tacky penalty in the box and stunningly the ref gives him a red card. Germany converts the penalty, now the US starts attacking Diskerud(SUB for JJ) finds space and sends a through ball to Donovan coming down the left flank who passes it to an open Clint Dempsey and he converts on the goal. The game ends 1-1. Jones/Johnson pick up yellows and OG gets a red
US advances to play Korea

US vs Korea
The surprise of the tournament is Korea who knocked off both Russia and Algeria and had a thrilling tie with Belgium, but Belgium was top seed due to GD. JAB replaces Gonzales in the lineup.

The US dominates possession but have a hard time finding chances since Korea is sitting back infront of goal. In 33rd minute the US gets a corner and Bacon ends up finding the ball and fires on into the net. The game slows down and just becomes boring, but in the 88th minute Lee Chung-Yong scores possibly the best goal in the cup, after he got the ball at midfield he took a couple of touches and flipped the ball past Chandler(SUB for Dolo) he volleys it and bends it over Tim Howard to keep Korea alive. Stu Holden makes his first appearance of the WC for a gassed Michael Bradley who is suffering from a stomach illness. The game ends up going to PKs.

Dempsey makes the first kick and Korea responds with their own kick. Altidore fires past the outstretched keeper. Tim Howard contorts in mid air to block a chip shot from Korea. Holden steps up to take the kick and he cleverly stops as he is going to kick and fools the keeper. Korea stays alive leaving all the pressure on LD to win the game. As he always does, he sinks the penalty and the US moves on.

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