FIFA 2014 World Cup Draw

Well, it's over. The US has already lost next year's World Cup. Welcome to the Group of Death:

Germany
Portugal
Ghana

I may be overreacting, but only a little. Germany is ranked #2 in the world behind only Spain. Portugal is ranked #5 and have one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo (as well as my influence from being half Portuguese). Ghana is ranked #24 but has knocked the US out of the last two World Cups (both times by a score of 2-1). So, that's fun.

But wait... there's more. Due to where they were drawn, the US also has the FURTHEST TRAVEL DISTANCE OF ALL TEAMS with 8,866 miles between their three game sites in Brazil. Just wow.

I am a homer patriot though so I've already worked out a way they could get out of the group and advance to the knockout round. The USMNT will want to avenge 2010's (and 2006's) knockout by Ghana so they'll be in top form and get the W. Portgual isn't a strong "team" so much as they are 1 star and some scrubs (not really, but I'm simplifying) so that could be a draw. Then, since we play Germany third, they may have already punched their ticket to the next round and would therefore have nothing to play for. See, we can sneak into Round 2! It's that easy!

If nothing else, it gives us something to talk about for the next 6 months. You never know how injuries will play into the situation or other distractions that may arise. Remember how surprisingly poor Italy, France and England were in 2010? Let's hope that's Germany, Portugal and Ghana in 2014!