The Many Scenarios of Group G

     With their matchup less than 24 hours away with World power Germany, the US Mens' National Soccer Team is looking to secure a place in the round of 16 for the second straight World Cup. The US are tied with Germany atop Group G with both teams at 4 points with a win and a draw each. Both teams enter the game needing just one point to advance and there has been talks of the two sides engaging in a practice that is known as the convenient draw which would see each team go on. If the two sides did play to a draw in tomorrow's match Germany would win the group with a better goal differential and would go on to face the Runner Up from Group H and the United States would play the winner of Group H which is currently led by Belgium with 6 points.

     However, neither the Germans nor the Americans want to concede a draw in their final match as both sides look to control their own destiny with a victory. Both sides can use this game as a proving grounds headed toward the next stage, the Germans can prove their dominance and the Americans can prove their resiliency. A win in this matchup would put the victor straight through to the Elimination stages and would put the other side at risk of elimination based off of the Portugal - Ghana game. 

     The storylines around this game are nothing to forget either. Jurgen Klinsmann, the Head Coach of the United States and native German, faces off against his home country. The injury to Jozy Altidore, suffered against Ghana, will keep the striker out of this match as well. Of course, there is the fact that both teams do control their destiny and a win gives either side an "easier" draw headed into the elimination rounds.

     There are several scenarios for each team in the Group to advance. The US and Germany control the easiest scenarios as for either team it's win and you're in. However, there are a variety of other scenarios that could see any of the 4 teams advance.  

     Here are the scenarios:

Germany advances:
-Win vs. USA
-Draw vs. USA
-Portugal/Ghana end in Draw
-Loss vs. USA and better Goal Differential than Portugal/Ghana

USA advances:
-Win vs. Germany
-Draw vs. Germany
-Portugal/Ghana end in draw
-Loss vs. Germany and better Goal Differential than Portugal/Ghana

Ghana advances:
-Win vs. Portugal and better Goal Differential than loser of USA/Germany

Portugal advances:
-Win vs. Ghana and better Goal Differential than loser of USA/Germany

The current Standings are as follows in Group G

     There is much at stake in the Group G group stage games tomorrow and it will be decided who advances with the results.
     Both games begin at 12 ET on ESPN tomorrow 6/25.