Everything you need to know for USA vs. Belgium

The U.S. World Cup soccer hysteria has seemed to have waned a bit since the A-Rod of soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo, put an astonished look on every American’s face with the best cross you will ever see in your life

We went into our normal 24-hour sports media cycle and blamed anyone and everyone that helped snatch a miraculous victory and berth in the knockout stage from our grasp with a 2-2 draw.  Michael Bradley’s turnover (My Pick), Geoff Cameron’s continually terrible defense, sub Omar Gonzalez’s failure to hold down the middle, Graham Zusi walking too slowly off the field causing an additional minute of stoppage time to be added, the referee adding the additional minute, even Jurgen Klinsmann, who seemed to be able to do no wrong caught his fair amount of grief from the talking heads.

However, a tie was good enough. The Knockout Stage dreams were still alive. Barring an absolute collapse to Germany,– a concern for many with the U.S. coming off short rest from an emotionally and physically draining game in the hell that is Manaus– the U.S. would do the impossible and advance from the Group of Death.

Well, after a humdrum 1-0 loss to Germany and our new friend Ronaldo’s goal. THE USMNT HAS SURVIVED THE GROUP OF DEATH AND ADVANCED TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGE IN CONSECUTIVE WORLD CUPS FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Why the lack of fervor then? It seems the crushing late goal, and slowly backing into the next stage with goal differential has the bandwagon sputtering.

When in the next four years will it be socially acceptable, nay, PATRIOTIC to day drink, skip out on work, wrap yourself in the flag, and watch your country take on the world with hundreds of your closest friends? We should be hitting a crescendo less than 24 hours out.

So I’ll give you a second to get your mind right before you get everything you need, want, and didn’t know you wanted to know about U.S. versus Belgium.

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Stars and Stripes vs. Red Devils

Kickoff: 3 PM CT

Location: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil

ESPN Announcers: Ian Darke and Taylor Twellman

Referee: Djamel Haimoudi,  Algeria

Haimoudi has presided over two matches thus far: a 3-2 Dutch win over Australia and a 0-0 draw between Costa Rica and England.

Klinsmann made waves Monday morning as he called out the choice for referee for the contest. The U.S. coach is worried that the referee, who speaks French, will be able to better communicate with the Belgian side than his own. (French is one of three official languages of Belgium.)

Where to Watch

If you have seen any of the reaction videos that have been posted over the last two World Cups, you know that a watch party can provide a great environment to watch a game. We have a couple great options right here in the St. Louis area.

Ballpark Village

Ballpark Village, Fox Sports Midwest, and the St. Louis Ambush have teamed up throughout the World Cup to throw watch parties in Fox Sports Midwest Live! in Ballpark Village, which houses a 40 ft TV. If you have not been down there yet, now is the perfect time to check it out. They can pack that place to the rafters and do. Doors open at 11 AM.

Amsterdam Tavern

If you are trying to watch the match with a very hardcore soccer fanbase, Amsterdam Tavern is the place for you. It is the official watch site of the St. Louis chapter of the American Outlaws, the most well-known supporters’ group of the USMNT. Get there early though because it is much smaller than BPV and will fill up fast.

If you end up watching the game at home, it will definitely be worth your time to check out the Univision broadcast, at least for a minute.

Side-by-Side

SPI Rating is based on a model created by ESPN and Nate Silver. Offensive rating is number of goals team could score on average team on neutral site. Defensive Rating is how many they would give up. Group Strength is calculated by the average FIFA Ranking of the group.

* I threw in population for a nod to Kornheiser’s population theory.

Group Play Revisited

U.S.: W- Ghana 2-1; T- Portugal 2-2; L- Germany 0-1

Belgium: W- Algeria 2-1; W- Russia 1-0; W- South Korea 1-0

History

The U.S. and Belgium’s lone previous meeting in the World Cup came in 1930. They met for a friendly in Columbus earlier last year, in which Belgium won 4-2. This is Belgium’s first appearance in the World Cup since 2002, the first time they won the group and swept all three group play games/

Scoring

U.S.: Clint Dempsey 2, John Brooks, Jermaine Jones

Belgium: Divock Origi, Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini, Dries Mertens

Only one goal– Dempsey’s in the first minute against Ghana– between the two teams was scored in the first half. In fact, Belgium never scored before the 70th minute.

Booking

A secondyellow before the end of the Quarterfinal game results in a one game ban.

Players with a yellow before entering the knockout stage-

U.S.: Jermaine Jones, Omar Gonzalez, Kyle Beckerman

Belgium: Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele

Steven Defour, a Belgian backup midfielder, is suspended for this tilt because of a red card against South Korea in their final match in Group H. Not a real loss for Belgium as his only playing time came in a meaningless match.

Trends

There has not been a single upset thus far in the Knockout stage. In six games, the group winner has won all six. However, the games have been more exciting. There have already been three games that have gone to extra time, compared to 4 during all 16 of the knockout in 2010. There have also been two games that have ended with penalty kicks. If ties are a reason you don’t like soccer this round is for you.

If you want to play Three Degrees of World Cup soccer to try and determine what will happen on Tuesday, Germany defeated Algeria in extra time 2-1 with all three goals coming in extra time. I’m not sure we learn anything from that. It is just slightly less worrisome than if Germany had lost. Much like Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, this game is trivial.

Predictions

When it comes to World Cup predictions there is hardly anyone who isn’t biased. The only predictions that aren’t swept up in national pride come from computers and animals.

Computer Models

Pinnacle Sports–  Belgium 66%, U.S. 34% to advance

Nate Silver/ 538.com–  Belgium 59%, U.S. 41% to advance

Bloomberg Sports–  Belgium 57.3%, U.S. 17.1% to win in regulation

Animals

Shaheen the Camel

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These odds shouldn’t discourage you because they are similar to what they faced before Portugal. The team should get a boost from having their striker Jozy Altidore as he got the all clear to play. The fact is few people including American soccer experts had the USMNT in this position before the World Cup. We should revel in this upstart underdog. “I believe” has been the battle cry for this run, and so far Klinsmann & Co. haven’t given you a reason not to.

In any case you weren’t already hyped enough, I’ll leave you this parting shot.

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(Video edited by Tyler Wirfs)

If all else fails, this could be your distraction from a sputtering Cardinals offense and starting rotation that is dropping like flies.

Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

Follow me on twitter @TimJKaiser

(Photo Credit:  Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images)