The story lines for today’s match between the United States and Germany are gripping. Here are five things to keep an eye on in the Group G decider in Recife, Brazil:
1 U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann facing the nation he helped win the 1990 World Cup title and coached to the 2006 semifinals.
2 Germany coach Joachim Loew managing against Klinsmann, his former boss.
3 Five German-American players (John Brooks, Jermaine Jones, Julian Green, Timothy Chandler, Fabian Johnson) with U.S. serviceman fathers and German mothers going up against a German squad filled with familiar faces from Germany’s top league: Bundesliga.
4 Fear by some the U.S. and Germany might collude on a draw, which would advance both nations while eliminating Portugal and Ghana. Both sides insist that won’t happen.
5 Thousands of American fans with red, white and blue gear making the trek to the Southern Hemisphere to cheer in person and millions back home tuning into games at record levels.
Associated Press
