The World Cup round of 16 in Brazil is taking shape.Already in: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and the Netherlands. The big question: Will the United States join that distinguished list today?The U.S. soccer team has a tough matchup against Portugal. Win, and the Americans are in. Lose or tie, and the road gets a lot tougher with next Thursday's game against Germany.The U.S. is playing in the so-called "Group of Death" paired with Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Germany is No. 2 in the world. Portugal is ranked fourth, and Ghana eliminated the United States from the past two World Cups. But last Monday, the U.S. squad defeated Ghana 2-1 and Germany embarrassed Portugal 4-0. On Saturday, Ghana and Germany played to a thrilling 2-2 tie.Many people had counted the U.S. out of the World Cup before it began, but so far, the ball has bounced the team's way. Even Portugal's star player (and reigning world player of the year) Cristiano Ronaldo is hobbled by tendinitis in his left knee.At
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