arydolphin
GTHC!
- Thread starter
- #1,051
So what's the US chance at actually winning this game? 70/30? 60/40? I know in the friendly game they played this year they were schooled by this team. Were different guys playing? I'm rooting for 'em but I also have my expectations gated a bit because I think this Belgium team is really good.
This statistical analysis says Belgium 59%, USA 41%. http://fivethirtyeight.com/interactives/world-cup/
In the friendly last year, Michael Bradley didn't play for the USA, but Eden Hazard (probably Belgium's most talented offensive player) didn't play for Belgium. The defense for the USA was a hot mess in that game, I think that the team overall is playing better now. But Belgium has the better individual players, it's just whether they can really come together as a team on the biggest stage. They are probably closer in terms of their playing style to Germany as opposed to Portugal or Ghana, which is what really concerns me. If they dominate the ball in midfield, the USA is going to have a long and unhappy day.