The United States is currently ranked 14th in the world, though in reality I'd say they're probably at least 10 spots lower. This 14th ranking (actually I think it was 11 at the cut off back when) should have given the US an artifically good shot at qualifying out of their group, being placed one pot higher than really they deserved. Not really the United States' fault they're artifically high in the rankings, you can only beat the teams put in front of you, and Panama isn't exactly going to test your leet socher skills.

This was about the toughest group possible for the United State, but as you say, Klinsmann is twice the manager Bruce Arena ever was.

Germany, on their day, will savage any team who isn't 100% focused. Their counter-attacking is about the best I've seen, so just when you think you have them on the ropes the ball is in your net and your players are looking at each other asking what just happened.

Portugal, I'd imagine JK will have Ronaldo the subject of some 'energetic' tackling as soon as possible. Always a popular 'Dark Horse' team, they're a lot like Spain, but less mechanical.

Ghana play like most African teams, some simply incredible close control, passing and movement, but discipline is lacking. Get under their skin and you can almost guarantee they'll lose the plot.

Germany will win that group as sure as the Pope's a Catholic, Ghana will probably finish bottom, the pivotal game for the United States will probebly be vs Portugal. Have someone you don't care about being yellow-carded give Mr Ronaldo a sly stamp to the ankle or achilles before minute 10 of the game. That'll slow the cheeky fella right up. Typical Continental, they don't like it up 'em.

The United States isn't a particularly skillfil international side, it's not a particularly powerful international side, nor does it have a Messi, Ronaldo, Rooney, or Ozil. But what the United States does have is a team spirit and a willingness to chase lost causes. If 'Team America' plays to their strengths then there's no reason to think they can't progress from the group.

Everyone thinks their group is 'The Group of Death', but in the case of the United States, yeah, that's one b'stard of a group.

I don't know if fitness is going to play a huge role in the scheme of things, so much as tolerance to heat and humidity. And, oddly, it's the team I think who will win the group that's most likely to toil in the heat. The Germans.

The Portugese and Africans probably won't even notice the heat in a Brazilian summer, but the Germans and even the Americans could find it hard going.