How The USA Can Emerge From Its World Cup Bracket

The underdog squad faces a difficult task in Brazil.

How The US Can Achieve Success in the 2014 World Cup - Back in December, USA soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann told the New York Times that “realistically, it is not possible" for the American squad to win this World Cup. Of course, the USA’s tough Group draw of Ghana, Portugal and Germany has something to do with dashing Klinsmann’s brutally honest assessment. However, if the American squad is going to defy odds and make it out of their group play, they’re going to have to believe. It may sound like a great American sports cliché, but if the USA team doesn’t believe that they can win, they’ll be watching the remainder of the World Cup in record time. With the global fever of the tournament taking over, BET.com points out several other ways the U.S. squad can beat the odds. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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How The US Can Achieve Success in the 2014 World Cup - Back in December, USA soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann told the New York Times that “realistically, it is not possible" for the American squad to win this World Cup. Of course, the USA’s tough Group draw of Ghana, Portugal and Germany has something to do with dashing Klinsmann’s brutally honest assessment. However, if the American squad is going to defy odds and make it out of their group play, they’re going to have to believe. It may sound like a great American sports cliché, but if the USA team doesn’t believe that they can win, they’ll be watching the remainder of the World Cup in record time. With the global fever of the tournament taking over, BET.com points out several other ways the U.S. squad can beat the odds. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Use Redemption as Motivation Against Ghana - If the USA is going to have a shot in this World Cup, they’ll need to get off to a strong start against rival Ghana, aka the team that eliminated them from the past two World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010). Gyan Asamoah (pictured here) was a member of both Ghana national teams that defeated the U.S. in the past two World Cup tourneys. Using redemption as a motivating factor, the Ghana match is USA’s chance to not only get a sweet slice of revenge, but also set the tone in Group play to let Portugal and Germany know that the Americans won’t be pushovers.  (Photo: Ian Walton/Getty Images)

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Use Redemption as Motivation Against Ghana - If the USA is going to have a shot in this World Cup, they’ll need to get off to a strong start against rival Ghana, aka the team that eliminated them from the past two World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010). Gyan Asamoah (pictured here) was a member of both Ghana national teams that defeated the U.S. in the past two World Cup tourneys. Using redemption as a motivating factor, the Ghana match is USA’s chance to not only get a sweet slice of revenge, but also set the tone in Group play to let Portugal and Germany know that the Americans won’t be pushovers.  (Photo: Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones's Playmaking - Without the services of Landon Donovan, who was controversially left off the World Cup U.S. roster, the pressure will be on midfielders Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones to create plays and scoring opportunities in the open field. If they can’t concoct opportunities in the open field, American players will have an early Brazilian beach vacation that they don’t want. If they can spark some magic in the open field, then the sky's the limit for the home of the brave. (Photo: Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

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Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones's Playmaking - Without the services of Landon Donovan, who was controversially left off the World Cup U.S. roster, the pressure will be on midfielders Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones to create plays and scoring opportunities in the open field. If they can’t concoct opportunities in the open field, American players will have an early Brazilian beach vacation that they don’t want. If they can spark some magic in the open field, then the sky's the limit for the home of the brave. (Photo: Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Strength of New 4-4-2 Diamond Formation - What USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann says, goes. He has mentioned that the team will use the 4-4-2 diamond formation, which will allow Michael Bradley to push the ball up in the open field with fellow midfielder Jermaine Jones sitting back on whatever Bradley develops. Two dedicated forwards will also be deployed as part of the diamond formation that Klinsmann touts. What’s special about the diamond is Bradley spearheading it at the top with creativity with a line of teammates serving as the back four for protection. Put your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Strength of New 4-4-2 Diamond Formation - What USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann says, goes. He has mentioned that the team will use the 4-4-2 diamond formation, which will allow Michael Bradley to push the ball up in the open field with fellow midfielder Jermaine Jones sitting back on whatever Bradley develops. Two dedicated forwards will also be deployed as part of the diamond formation that Klinsmann touts. What’s special about the diamond is Bradley spearheading it at the top with creativity with a line of teammates serving as the back four for protection. Put your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Fabian Johnson Attacks With Results - Fabian Johnson just may be the best attacker and finisher on the American squad. To optimize the right back’s aggression, it will be key for midfielders Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones to get Johnson plenty of good looks, touches and opportunities. Unleashing Johnson’s aggression early and often in matches will allow the U.S. the chance to demonstrate how offense can be the best defense. Let those feet fly, Fabian! (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

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Fabian Johnson Attacks With Results - Fabian Johnson just may be the best attacker and finisher on the American squad. To optimize the right back’s aggression, it will be key for midfielders Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones to get Johnson plenty of good looks, touches and opportunities. Unleashing Johnson’s aggression early and often in matches will allow the U.S. the chance to demonstrate how offense can be the best defense. Let those feet fly, Fabian! (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

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Embrace Being Underdog - Odds aren’t in favor of the U.S. emerging from its tough Group play, so Jozy Altidore (pictured here) and the Americans might as well embrace being the underdog. Sometimes a chip on the shoulder and an us-against-the-world attitude can be healthy in sports. Fully embracing the role of the underdog often slides the pressure onto the competition. Such a scenario would give the U.S. the opportunity to pull off an upset and gain a whole lot of confidence in the process. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) 

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Embrace Being Underdog - Odds aren’t in favor of the U.S. emerging from its tough Group play, so Jozy Altidore (pictured here) and the Americans might as well embrace being the underdog. Sometimes a chip on the shoulder and an us-against-the-world attitude can be healthy in sports. Fully embracing the role of the underdog often slides the pressure onto the competition. Such a scenario would give the U.S. the opportunity to pull off an upset and gain a whole lot of confidence in the process. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) 

Deny Cristiano Ronaldo Intimidation Factor  - USA’s second match pits them against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on June 22. It’s one thing to respect Ronaldo, who’s considered by many as the best player in the world. However, it’s a whole separate issue to be intimidated by him. They can’t let the latter happen. Instead, the Americans have to do their best to take it to Ronaldo ultra physically, especially considering the superstar is still battling through tendinitis in his left knee and a muscular problem in his left quadriceps. Muscling the superstar and crowding his space can possibly keep him quiet...just the way the U.S. wants it. (Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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Deny Cristiano Ronaldo Intimidation Factor  - USA’s second match pits them against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on June 22. It’s one thing to respect Ronaldo, who’s considered by many as the best player in the world. However, it’s a whole separate issue to be intimidated by him. They can’t let the latter happen. Instead, the Americans have to do their best to take it to Ronaldo ultra physically, especially considering the superstar is still battling through tendinitis in his left knee and a muscular problem in his left quadriceps. Muscling the superstar and crowding his space can possibly keep him quiet...just the way the U.S. wants it. (Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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Weather Traveling Miles, Keep Bodies Fresh - As the fifth largest country in the world, Brazil has a lot of terrain to cover. The United States will have logged in several thousands miles of traveling for their three group-play matches. That means the Americans will have to do whatever it takes to stretch, avoid stiffness, and remain limber. Taking care of their bodies — and definitely not falling prey to the temptations of Rio — will be key for the U.S. (photo: Getty Images/Fuse)