Looks like a must watch game. Hopefully a good game with goals. A tie will probably be fine for the US unless CR manage to score 6 against Colombia!
Advancement scenarios: USA win, Colombia win or draw: Colombia 1st, USA 2nd. USA win, Colombia loss: USA 1st, Colombia 2nd. USA draw, Colombia win or draw or loss by 1 to 5 goals: Colombia 1st, USA 2nd. USA draw, Colombia loss by 6 goals: Colombia 1st, USA or Costa Rica 2nd depending on goals-scored tiebreaker (if same goals scored, USA advances on head-to-head win over Costa Rica.) USA draw, Colombia loss by 7 or more goals: Colombia 1st, Costa Rica 2nd. USA loss, Colombia win or draw or loss by 1 to 3 goals: Colombia 1st, Paraguay 2nd. USA loss, Colombia loss by 4 or more goals: Colombia 1st, Paraguay or Costa Rica second depending on goal-differential tiebreaker (if same goal differential, continue down the tiebreaker list.)
Such an interesting game. Paraguay usually likes to sit back and let the game come to them but they really can't afford to do that. The need to be the aggressor. And if that is the case the USA can take advantage on counter attacks. Only problem is if they don't take advantage Paraguay might find a way to score a goal. Paraguay knows how to defend a lead and put all 10 field players in the box bunker style so the USA must score first. All-in-all I think the home field will be enough. Along with Paraguay being dead tired after the Colombia match & having to travel the most miles. (Orlando-Pasadena-Philly is brutal.) Something like 2-0 USA.
1-1. Paraguay will show up. The USA will leave the game unsure of their own fate, needing a decent result from the COL vs CRC game.
Unsure of their fate? Costa Rica would have to beat Colombia by 6 goals to qualify. You really think that can happen?
This is a twilight zone game for Paraguay. The current team has more talent up front than in the back, but have refused to change their style of play from their traditional defending/countering. The results should force them to attack, which actually plays to their current strength (even if the coach refuses to acknowledge it). The US are best when countering though, so this is a game that can really go either way and will depend on when that first goal falls in. That childish red by Romero might end up making all the difference. He is a key cog in the middle that Paraguay will be missing.
Sorry buddy. They looked good the second half against Colombia but I feel like they shot all their bullets and are out of ammo.
Already 50,000 tickets sold for this one and more are expected by game time. Could be pushing for the best PRo-USA crowd ever for an official match. USA's got this! U-S-A!
Ramon Diaz will likely make several changes in the lineup, as he usually does. Whether that's an advantage or disadvantage I don't know but the reason I think Paraguay will win is because in my opinion they have better players and also are a fighter team. Not sure if the USA are or not but Paraguay are probably the second biggest fighters in South America. Second to Uruguay. Derlis Gonzales and Dario Lezcano should start. I'll admit I criticized Villar at the beginning of the tournament wonder why Silva wasn't starting but he proved me wrong.
The USA will be fighting out there too. Especially since it is rare to fight in front or a large home audience that will be rooting for them. We have seen the fighting spirit for the USA the last two World Cups. This being at home will probably place it up a couple notches.
Never said they wouldn't, surely they will but my point was Paraguay have shown more fight out of any team in the america's several times in the qualifiers, copa america's, and world cup's. In terms of quality, Paraguay edge it in my opinion. Most of the USA's best players play in the MLS, and the one's that don't are either still developing or just aren't very good. Paraguay has good players playing in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico and that's where South Americans should be playing for a team like Paraguay. I've been saying for the past few months that if Peru wants to qualify for another World Cup, their players will probably need to play in those leagues mentioned rather than Europe, league's in which they will get playing time and play at a decent standard. Lets not forget how well Paraguay have done in the Copa Libertadores since 2010. As I said, most of the USA's best players, Dempsey, Bradley the 2 examples, play in the MLS. I've seen both the MLS and the Peruvian league and I can here say its of a similar standard. The MLS looks good because of the designated players and that's the only thing that sets the 2 league's apart. Both are of a very low standard. That's what happened to the USA in my eyes. The best Americans in Europe decided to go back to the MLS and their level fell and it impacted the national team. I of course could be wrong but the MLS really does not impress me. Peru called up a bunch of Peruvian league players this team, but we called up the in form players (for the most part) and they're performing well. As I've said, form over stars is the way to go. I'm not sure how Dempsey is doing for his club but Seattle are not in a good position at the moment.
The game has nothing to do with MLS Clubs or any other clubs. It has to do with the teams on the field in Philly. And the USA has the intangibles along with the simple fact that they don't need to win to advance. All the Pressure is on Paraguay to go for the win or they are dead. We shall see though. Pretty even teams.
If the US loses by any result they're out. If the US gets a draw they're 99% through unless Costa Rica pulls a miracle and beats Colombia by many goals. Sometimes only needing one point can make teams play cautious which invites the other team to attack. On the other hand if Paraguay scores the first goal maybe they become defensive and the US will have to start pressing.
Vamos Paraguay! Tough game, but i think the talent edge goes to the south Americans. Well see how they handle the pressure of having to win though. Should be one of the better games of the Copa either way.