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One Day Until Destiny: 2014 World Cup Day 10 Open Thread

Oh, what a tournament it has been - the Mexicans showed some real grit holding off the Brazilian assault on their goal, both Spain and England have been dumped out of the tournament without a single victory to their name yet, while the French and Croatians both showed they have some serious firepower for a deep run.

By Bellerophon
Matthias Hangst

Tomorrow, our boys in Red, White, and Blue return to the field in the sweltering jungle humid heat in Manaus to take on the world's best (or second-best, depending on who you ask) player, Cristiano Ronaldo, and an injury-depleted Portugal squad in a very winnable game that could get the Americans out of the Group of Death and into the knock-out stage.  But while we have to wait another day to believe, we have some big games on tap today.

Today, we'll get the action started with La Albiceleste of Argentina taking on Iran at 9 a.m. PST, with the world's best (or second-best, depending on who you ask) player, Leo Messi, leading Argentina in their iconic white and sky blue stripped kits.  The Argentinians are looking to secure three points and their spot in the knock-out stage, but they'll have a tough job on their hands as Iran showed they're no push-over, fighting out a defensive draw against the 2013 African Cup of Nations winner Nigeria on Monday.  Argentina will line up in a 4-3-3, with Messi playing in a withdrawn #10 role, with Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Agüero, and Angel di Maria playing in attacking roles alongside the Barcelona goal-scoring machine.  It should be a good one, set to kick-off at 9 a.m. PST on ESPN.

Next up will be game of massive importance to the United States - Germany takes on Ghana at noon PST on ESPN. Die Mannschaft should be able to break down Ghana's defense and win easily, given how extremely deep and talented Germany is, and the Americans will be hoping the Germans can eliminate the Black Stars today.  Even if Ghana salvage a draw, it keeps them alive and requires a bit more work from the Yanks.  Ghana won't be able to enjoy the same amount of possession they did against the Americans and even if the Black Stars find a way to slow down Thomas Müller, they'll need to also find a way to keep Mario Götze, Toni Kroos, Mesut Özil, and Andre Schürrle from scoring, which should prove to be a next to impossible task.  So, make sure to tune in to this one to keep tabs on how it will impact our boys in Red, White, and Blue.

Finally, we end the day with Bosnia taking on Nigeria at 3 p.m. on ESPN.  The Bosnians played well in their 2-1 loss to Argentina and look like the second best team in an uninspiring Group F.   A win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria should help cement that position, especially if Argentina beats Iran as expected.

And just to get you fired up for tomorrow's big fight, remember: I BELIEVE.  I BELIEVE THAT. I BELIEVE THAT WE.  I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

This is your World Cup open thread for the tenth day of action in Brazil.  Fire away with your thoughts, analysis, and opinions as you tune in and as we anxiously count down to the return of the boys in Red, White, and Blue tomorrow against Ronaldo and the Portuguese.

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

GO BRUINS

GO U-S-A!

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