How will the USA fare?
WAHL: Out in the group stage. Its possible for the U.S. to play OK and not advance from the most difficult group, and thats the sense I have right now. Germany is the class of the group, and Portugal, Ghana and the U.S. will slug it out for the second spot. Id say the U.S. has about a 40 percent chance of advancing.
STRAUS: American prospects are on the rise. Klinsmanns team is fit, confident and healthy, but that may not be enough to get out of a deep and difficult Group G. Well prepared and primed for vengeance, the U.S. will open with three points against Ghana and and finish the first round 1-1-1, but miss out on the knockout stage on goal differential. Nevertheless, a solid performance will see Klinsmanns method and mandate reaffirmed.
WILSON: Moderately. Ive never been entirely convinced by Jurgen Klinsmann as a coach and nothing Ive seen of him with the USA has persuaded me. My sense is the great U.S. explosion isnt far away, but given the toughness of the group I suspect it may be in four years time rather than in Brazil.
LYTTLETON: I have been down on the USAs chances ever since the draw, feeling it was destined for the wooden spoon in Group G. But in the last week, I feel something has clicked: Jozy Altidore scored a pair of goals, Fabian Johnson has done well at fullback and the three-man midfield with Kyle Beckerman is smart. On the other hand, Ghanas preparations have gone south, with defensive injuries and worries in attack . So I will go for USA to finish third in the group, just ahead of bogey team Ghana.
YOUNG: The send-off series provided great hope. Backed by potentially huge numbers of fans, a fired-up team could sneak through a group where more storied rivals such as Portugal and Germany are troubled by injury and self-doubt. Industriousness ensures games will be tight, and much will depend on whether strikers such as Jozy Altidore will be ruthless enough to take advantage.
BIRD: Before the friendly against Nigeria, it looked like the U.S. would play three games and go home. After that match, it seems the U.S. has some hope but probably only against Ghana. The German and Portuguese attacks will offer much sterner tests for the back line, which has looked vulnerable individually and collectively in the tune-up games.
