According to FiveThirtyEight.com, the United States Men’s National Team have a 63 percent chance of advancing out of the “Group of Death.”
Below are possible scenarios that could happen during USA’s next two games.
Beat Portugal, beat Germany: U.S. advances to knockout stage.
Beat Portugal, draw Germany: U.S. advance to knockout stage, however if Germany beats Ghana, U.S. would advance in the second qualifying position.
Beat Portugal, lose to Germany: This would like to a second-place finish unless Ghana beats both Portugal and Germany. This would put Germany, U.S. and Ghana in a three-way tie, which would leave U.S. to possibly advance.
Draw Portugal, beat Germany: U.S. advances to knockout stage.
Draw Portugal, draw Germany: US. advances.
Draw Portugal, lose to Germany: U.S. would be favored to advance but it is not a safe position. If Ghana draws with Portugal and either draws or loses to Germany or Ghana beats Portugal and loses to Germany, U.S. is good. If Ghana beats Portugal and Germany, U.S. would be out, and if the U.S. is tied with Portugal, the U.S. would more than likely advance and if tie is with Ghana well, that’s a different story.
Lose to Portugal, beat Germany: U.S. would certainly advance, unless Germany and Portugal both beat Ghana, then it would be a tie among the three, but US would be probably get the second position based on goal differential.
Lose to Portugal, draw Germany: harder for U.S. to advance.
Lose to Portugal, lose to Germany: U.S. would have to pray for a miracle.
Credit: FiveThirtyEight.com