USA vs Algeria: Win and advance. Tie and get lucky. Lose and go home.
With one game remaining, the United States have exactly three ways to advance to the second round of the World Cup—only one of which is sure fire:
- Best-case scenario: Beat Algeria any way you can. 1-0. 2-1. 5-3. Doesn’t matter. If the yanks win, they’re through with five points.
- With a little help from friends scenario: Draw against Algeria, hope that Slovenia beats an embattled English team. If that happened, the U.S. would qualify second after Slovenia in the group to then face group D winners.
- Worst-case scenario: Draw against Algeria, Slovenia ties England. If that happens, the U.S. would be stuck in a tiebreak procedure with England for second place, the last resort of which includes drawing lots (!).
Of course, if we lose to Algeria, we’ll rightfully be sent home. Go USA!
June 21, 2010Leave comment
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