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World Cup 2014: USMNT vs. Germany Primer and Open Thread

This is kind of a big deal.

Jamie McDonald

It's not football, but it's still football. Today, the United States Men's National Team takes on Germany in the final match of the group stage, with a good chance to advance to the knockout round.

If you're an American and haven't already made your plans to watch this game, then doom on youHere's your permission slip from US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, so take a nice long lunch or break and get yourself in front of a TV.

Here are the critical pieces of information to know for today's game.

WHO?

United States vs. Germany

WHEN?

11:00 AM Central Time

WHERE?

Arena Pernambuco
Recife, Brazil

HOW?

Television
ESPN

Online Streaming
WatchESPN

ANYTHING ELSE?

The United States will advance to the knockout stage with a win or a tie today, but thanks to tiebreakers they could still advance with a narrow loss. A win would give them the top spot in the group, and would likely leave them with a matchup with either Algeria or Russia in the round of 16. If they draw or advance with a loss, they would come in at 2nd place in the group and would probably play a much tougher opponent in Belgium.

Those tiebreakers I mentioned? They would depend on the winner of the game between Ghana and Portugal, which is taking place at the exact same time. American fans should cheer for a draw (which would guarantee the USA advancing) or a Portugal win, because the Portuguese are way behind the rest of the group in goal differential.

Here's a graphic showing the possible scenarios, which are dependent on the following three tiebreakers:
1. Goal differential
2. Total goals scored
3. Head-to-head

Getting a win would be great for the USA to get that easier matchup in the next round, but the most important thing right now is to advance any way possible.

I believe that we will win. Do you? Join us in the comments below.