2010 World Cup Open Thread Rooting For UCLA|USA: Beat Algeria

This morning, the men in Red, White and Blue take on Algeria in Pretoria in the final match of Group C play. The Algerians are at the bottom of the group, but cannot be taken completely for granted(as England found in their not so classic match last week), particularly since a victory would give them a chance at advancing through to the knockout phase of the tournament.

After leaving the pitch with ties in matches against England and Slovenia, Team USA has a solid opportunity to advance out of Group C, into the knockout phase of the World Cup. Win, and we are assured of advancing. Another draw does still leave open the possibility of advancing, but relies on the result of the simultaneous match taking place in Port Elizabeth  between England and Slovenia - a USA tie + a Slovenia win allows us to advance, taking 2nd place in group C and matching us with the Group D champion (TBD this afternoon). A USA tie + an England/Slovenia tie looks more complicated, but the resolution is rather clear cut: Assuming both games end tied, if USA scores either more goals, the same number of goals, or 1 goal fewer than England, USA advances. If England scores 3 or more goals above what America scores today (for example, USA/Algeria 0-0; England/Slovenia 3-3), then England advances in place of us. If England scores 2 more goals than the USA today in simultaneous draws, the teams will draw lots to determine who goes on. No, really.

The match is set to begin at 7am PST/10am EST on ESPN, and online at ESPN3.com. Here is coverage by SBN and ESPN.