U.S. SCENARIOS TO ADVANCE
1. WIN
Beat Germany on Thursday, and the Americans win Group G.
2. DRAW
Tie, and the Germans win the group with the U.S. advancing as the second-place team.
3. HAVE GHANA AND PORTUGAL DRAW
If the other Group G game, played at the same time, ends in a tie, Germany and the U.S. move on regardless of their outcome. The U.S. would have to win to finish in first place.
4. LOSE, BUT ADVANCE ON GOAL DIFFERENTIAL
Even if they lost, the Americans would finish second unless Ghana (minus-1) or Portugal (minus-4) won and passed the U.S. (plus-1) on goal differential. So if the Americans lose, they would be rooting for Portugal.
