Now things are much clearer.
USA World Cup Scenarios Simplified: Hopefully Tiebreaker Won’t Be Necessary Anymore
↵After England finished downgrading itself from soccer power to subject of a Dennis Green rant, the United States’ knockout stage possibilities went from an 800-page Choose Your Own Adventure book to a game of M.A.S.H.
↵Looking at it in terms of the possible results against Algeria on Wednesday:
↵United States loses - which, after today, looks very possible though not probable. Regardless, the U.S. loses and they’re out, finishing either fourth (if England beats Slovenia) or third.
↵United States draws - if they draw, U.S. gets into the knockout stage if England loses or if England draws and loses on the goal difference or goals scored (or lots) tiebreakers to the U.S. In this scenario, the U.S. can finish no better than second in Group C.
↵United States wins - the U.S. is into the knockout stage. They win the group if a.) Slovenia and England draw and the U.S. beats Slovenia on one of the tiebreakers, or b.) England beats Slovenia but loses on tiebreaker to the U.S. If Slovenia beats England, the Slovenes win the group.
↵So we have the Algerians to thank for simplifying our world, even if they were party to the ninety excruciating minutes it took to do so.
See More:
