Column: Don’t sleep on U.S. World Cup chances

The World Cup is a bit of an awkward time for the American sports fan.

The entire world is fixated on watching 32 teams representing 32 countries play soccer. But in the U.S., soccer isn’t exactly riveting television like it is virtually everywhere else.

That makes watching the World Cup a bit weird. It’s awkward.

But even the casual American sports fan should realize the World Cup is worth watching. With all the football jargon, the rules, pageantry and obsession by fans outside of the U.S., the World Cup can be a bit intimidating.

But don’t let a lack of expert knowledge stop you, casual American sports fan. You too can enjoy the beautiful game of football.

And although U.S. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann — who yes, is a German coaching the Americans — said winning the World Cup is “not realistic,” the U.S. has a chance to make some noise in Brazil.

Full disclosure: the odds of winning aren’t good.

But although the U.S. drew into the dreaded “Group of Death” with Ghana, Portugal and Germany, there is a chance to get out of group play if the Americans play out of their minds.

Unfortunately for the U.S., the American team is in a bit of a transition phase with Klinsmann bringing his first group of Americans to the World Cup, and talent is still a lingering question. The stars and stripes won’t be represented by a world superstar that strikes fear into the heart of the competition.

Instead, the roster is filled with a mix of very good players, either homegrown or holding dual citizenship, who are probably sick of hearing how Americans can’t play soccer.

The latest FIFA World Rankings has the U.S. ranked No. 13 in the world. In the most recent World Cup, Uruguay was ranked No. 16 and would advance to the consolation game, ultimately finishing fourth. In 2002, host team South Korea also finished fourth after being ranked No. 40.

Soccer is a funny game. It wouldn’t be completely unheard of for the U.S. to get hot.

Good goalkeeping can carry a team through a tournament, and 35-year-old Tim Howard has the talent and experience to make up for a shaky U.S. defensive line.

That defensive line actually looked rather firm in the American’s final tune-up game against Nigeria. Goals will come for the U.S., but the key will be for the defense to make as few mistakes as possible and to be able to cover for itself when one player slips.

Beating No. 2 Germany is going to be nearly impossible. The United States will need to beat out Ghana and an ailing Portugal in order to move out of the group stage.

Today’s opening match against Ghana is a must win. Three points from a beatable Ghanian team that has eliminated the Americans from the past two World Cups wouldn’t secure a date in the second round, but it would definitely make the games against Portugal and Germany must-see TV.

Since the U.S. Open is finished and the U.S. and Ghana kick off at 6 p.m. Monday, now is the time to put on your Jozy Altidore jersey, hang up a flag and start calling soccer “football.”

It’s time, America. And the world is watching.

sbeishui@indiana.edu