US World Cup Advancement Scenarios

US World Cup Advancement Scenarios

JOHANNESBURG — There are two ways for the U.S. to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

After two games, Slovenia leads Group C with four points. It has one win and one tie, following a 1-0 victory over Algeria and a 2-2 draw against the United States on Friday.

The U.S. and England are tied for second with two points. The two teams tied 1-1 against each other and England drew Algeria 0-0 in Friday’s late game. Algeria is last with one point.

The group ends Wednesday with two matches played simultaneously, the U.S. against Algeria in Pretoria, and England against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth.

Here is how the Americans could still advance:

1) The United States would advance with a victory over Algeria, which would give it five points. Because England plays Slovenia, one of those teams can’t finish with five.

2) The United States would advance with a draw against Algeria, which would give it three points, as long as England loses to Slovenia OR England-Slovenia ends in a draw AND the U.S. maintains a goal advantage over England. Currently, the U.S. has three goals and England has one.

One scenario could lead to lots being drawn for who advances.

If the U.S. draws with Algeria and England draws with Slovenia, but England scores two more goals than the U.S. does in its last game, the U.S. and England would be even on all tiebreakers for second place.