Another group of death preview featuring European giants Germany!
GERMANY
Manager: Joachim Low
Team Overview: After a trio of near misses(2nd, 3rd, 3rd) Die Mannschaft fans are hoping this year will finally be their year. An incredible mix of young and old, pace and experience, this German squad may be the best one yet..
X-Factor: Remembering what go them to the dance. Low's offensive approach has jepoardized an amazing defensive core, featuring the greatest fullback to ever play football, Phillipp Lahm. Sure, players like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil provide offense, the defense is what makes the wheels go 'round, and Die Mannschaft are best to keep it that way.
Where they'll finish: The Germans desperately want to win the World Cup this year, but it would be a hard road ahead. There are many powerhouse nations this year, and Die Mannschaft are going to have to hope that their younger players can pull it together and make this a run for the ages.
PORTUGAL
Manager: Paulo Bento
Team Overview: This year should be interesting, as both Christiano Ronaldo look to prove their worth as the best player in the world. Selecao Das Quinas looked incredible in qualifying, defeating another European giant in Sweden, eliminating them from World Cup qualification.
X-Factor: Defensive experience. Most teams have two or three grizzled, veteran defensemen capable of shutting down the world's best players. Selecao may have just one, in Pepe. This team centers around attacking and scoring goals, and that could ultimately be their downfall.
Where they'll finish: The attacking power and depth Selecao contain is amazing. This team is just stacking with amazing goalscorers. But can they defend? That question may determine how far Ronaldo & Co. will travel this year in Brasil.
GHANA
Manager: Kwesi Appiah
Team Overview: The Black Stars will be lead by Appiah, who will be making history as the first black African head coach in the Fifa World Cup Finals. Ghana looked like a surefire semifinalist in South Africa before Luis Suarez's infamous handball goal, and you know the Black Stars will be looking for revenge.
X-Factor: Age. There's no doubting that Ghana has experience, but many players, like star striker Asamoah Gyan, are now four years older and have four years less on their legs. There isn't much of a youth movement, so for the Black Stars, it's now or never.
Where they'll finish: Ghana may have a better team than Portugal, but they'll have to prove it for the third World Cup in a row. The advantage? They once again are being overlooked, and that may world in their advantage once again.
USA
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Team Overview: You have to hope former German head coach Klinsmann knows what he's doing, as he dismissed skipper Landon Donovan just weeks before Brasil was scheduled to start. It's left to Clint Dempsey to be the veteran leader this team needs.
X-Factor: Veteran leadership. With Donovan gone, it falls onto the shoulders of Dempsey and stopper Tim Howard to lead a young American team. If they can't lead the way and set the example, then youngsters like Joe Corona and Mikkel Diskerud will be hung out to dry.
Where they'll finish: It's hard to imagine the Americans getting out of a fairly tough group. Without Donovan, a vast hole of leadership and talent has opened up, and Dempsey will not be able to handle it all. Unless another leader emerges, the Americans will be stuck in group stage hell.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Germany, Portugal
GERMANY
Manager: Joachim Low
Team Overview: After a trio of near misses(2nd, 3rd, 3rd) Die Mannschaft fans are hoping this year will finally be their year. An incredible mix of young and old, pace and experience, this German squad may be the best one yet..
X-Factor: Remembering what go them to the dance. Low's offensive approach has jepoardized an amazing defensive core, featuring the greatest fullback to ever play football, Phillipp Lahm. Sure, players like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil provide offense, the defense is what makes the wheels go 'round, and Die Mannschaft are best to keep it that way.
Where they'll finish: The Germans desperately want to win the World Cup this year, but it would be a hard road ahead. There are many powerhouse nations this year, and Die Mannschaft are going to have to hope that their younger players can pull it together and make this a run for the ages.
PORTUGAL
Manager: Paulo Bento
Team Overview: This year should be interesting, as both Christiano Ronaldo look to prove their worth as the best player in the world. Selecao Das Quinas looked incredible in qualifying, defeating another European giant in Sweden, eliminating them from World Cup qualification.
X-Factor: Defensive experience. Most teams have two or three grizzled, veteran defensemen capable of shutting down the world's best players. Selecao may have just one, in Pepe. This team centers around attacking and scoring goals, and that could ultimately be their downfall.
Where they'll finish: The attacking power and depth Selecao contain is amazing. This team is just stacking with amazing goalscorers. But can they defend? That question may determine how far Ronaldo & Co. will travel this year in Brasil.
GHANA
Manager: Kwesi Appiah
Team Overview: The Black Stars will be lead by Appiah, who will be making history as the first black African head coach in the Fifa World Cup Finals. Ghana looked like a surefire semifinalist in South Africa before Luis Suarez's infamous handball goal, and you know the Black Stars will be looking for revenge.
X-Factor: Age. There's no doubting that Ghana has experience, but many players, like star striker Asamoah Gyan, are now four years older and have four years less on their legs. There isn't much of a youth movement, so for the Black Stars, it's now or never.
Where they'll finish: Ghana may have a better team than Portugal, but they'll have to prove it for the third World Cup in a row. The advantage? They once again are being overlooked, and that may world in their advantage once again.
USA
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Team Overview: You have to hope former German head coach Klinsmann knows what he's doing, as he dismissed skipper Landon Donovan just weeks before Brasil was scheduled to start. It's left to Clint Dempsey to be the veteran leader this team needs.
X-Factor: Veteran leadership. With Donovan gone, it falls onto the shoulders of Dempsey and stopper Tim Howard to lead a young American team. If they can't lead the way and set the example, then youngsters like Joe Corona and Mikkel Diskerud will be hung out to dry.
Where they'll finish: It's hard to imagine the Americans getting out of a fairly tough group. Without Donovan, a vast hole of leadership and talent has opened up, and Dempsey will not be able to handle it all. Unless another leader emerges, the Americans will be stuck in group stage hell.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Germany, Portugal
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