Group G: The Group of Death

Group G: Germany, Ghana, USA, Portugal

HOW THEY FINISH:
Germany 2-0-1 7 PTS
USA 1-0-2 5 PTS
Portugal 1-1-1 4 PTS
Ghana 0-3-0 0 PTS

When the group was announced, it was doom and gloom for the Americans. Ghana, the team that has knocked them out the past two World Cups, Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany, one of the best teams in the world. The media has turned Ghana into a great story line, but hasn't said anything about what Ghana have. What they have is a team that is much older than 4 years ago, a team who's top striker went from Sunderland to World Soccer Power Al Ain FC (in the United Arab Emirates) and three very inexperienced goalkeepers. Portugal is a one man show. Germany are an extremely talented team, but does any one know that team better than the US's Head Coach. It's a tough group of course, but it's very possible.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Miroslav Klose (GER) - Klose could break the all time World Cup scoring record

Thomas Mueller (GER) - 4 years ago, Mueller won the Golden Boot and was named Best Young Player, scary thing is he was only 20. Now at 24 and with a World Cup under his belt, he could be the man that wins the whole cup for the Die Mannschaft

Michael Bradley (USA) - Long considered undeserving of his role on the US team, Bradley is now the type of player who could likely start for at least 75% of the teams in this World Cup. Given a more attacking role out of the midfield, Bradley will be crucial to the US success.

Jozy Altidore (USA) - The striker has been out of form for nearly a year, but two goals against Nigeria may have gotten his confidence going.

Fabian Johnson (USA) - The world will know who Fabian Johnson is at the end of the next 10 days. He attacks out of the back unlike any other American defender has ever done.

Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) - Obvious names department

Joao Moutinhio (POR) - Somebody besides CR7 is going to have to do something for the Portuguese to advance. Moutinho can dictate play a lot like the Italians look for in Andrea Pirlo.

Jordan Ayew (GHA) - A popular name in the headlines recently, Ayew netted a hat trick for Ghana in their final tuneup before the World Cup against South Korea.

Asamoah Gyan (GHA) - If Jurgen Klinsmann were the head coach at Ghana, nothing about the past 4 years would have put Gyan on the squad, let alone made him captain. He left the EPL to join El Ain (where he has scored 59 goals in 47 games), after a missing a penalty in South Africa, and missing another huge PK in the African Cup of Nations, he took a "sabbatical." Remind you of anyone?