USMNT Head for Knockouts, plus Final Day in Groups G, H, I | Day 16 Preview | Morning Cupdate, Presented by The Home Depot

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1:16Yes, yes, yes. A massive shout out to our sponsor Visa, who's made this guide possible. Visa gives local business owners the tools and support to be ready for moments exactly like this one, welcoming you to enjoy the games this summer. Start planning your journey at meninblazers.com backslash cityguides. A word from our friends at 1440. The 2022 World Cup final drew 1.5 billion viewers. It's 11 times this year's Super Bowl. To understand how football became the world's game and what drove it, listen to 1440 Explores with Financial Times journalist Simon Kuiper, who will give you the inside scoop into the depths of the tournament.

1:57Listen to 1440 Explores wherever you get your podcasts. Hello and welcome to Morning Cup Day. I'm Betty Glover coming from LA once again because the USA have just played their last group game. They did lose to Turkey, but this lot don't care.

2:19Come back to me. It's a lot quieter over here guys. It has been a pivotal day. Some teams have qualified for the knockouts, some have been sent home. The USA had already qualified before this game, hence why they're in good spirits. But this is your ultimate guide to day 16 because we have got six more games coming quick and fast.

2:43Hello and welcome to Morning Cup Date, built by the Home Depot live from our big orange bus just outside Union Station. Now the Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready, subject to availability. Now what an atmosphere. It was here today at the Match Day Live. Todd Gurley, Mina Kimes and Kyle Beckerman were the big guests. and Kyle warmed up the crowd by telling everybody that the US's name is on that trophy. I think, why not us? I look at the climates we've been playing in. We've been able to avoid the humidity, really hot places, altitude.

3:21We're going to be in San Francisco and then potentially Seattle. It's setting up for us to go all the way. Pure confidence, Kyle. For Turkey, Mauricio Bochettino made nine changes to his starting line-up, which was expected given they had already qualified for the knockouts. Now, the US raced out of the blocks, a ridiculously fast start against Turkey, as Austin trustee gave Pochettino's side a third-minute lead. Cue the celebrations.

3:57A goal straight off the training field and the US were flying. This hasn't been Turkey's tournament at all. They've underperformed in their opening two games and are bottom of Group D and already knocked out. But they have some very good players in their squad. And one of their superstars, Ardegula, equalised just seven minutes later. Game on. Then a brilliant move resulted in Orkun Çırkı putting the Turks ahead just after the half hour mark. Turkey had 62 shots in their first two games and failed to score. In this game, they scored with their first two attempts on goal. Football, eh? At the start of the second half, Sebastian Berhalter thundered in an absolute rocket of an equaliser to bring the game back to 2-2.

4:41And Christian Pulisic had so many chances to win it for the US during his 35-minute cameo. But the Hollywood finish belonged to Turkey. The US were reduced to 10 after Austin Trustee came off with an injury and Khan Eihand scored with their last kick of the game to make it 3-2. The US had already claimed top spot before this game and they are now 100 % confirmed to be facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. That takes place on Wednesday in San Francisco at 5pm Pacific time. Bring on Bosnia. Hopefully we'll beat them and we'll go fine to this tournament. Hopefully we'll reach the semi-finals.

5:18I trust this manager and especially I trust this team. Then in the other match in Group D, it finished 0-0 between Australia and Paraguay. This was far from a thriller. Just five shots on target during the entire match. but it was a result that suited both parties. Australia advances group runners-up. They'll play the runner-up of Group G. Paraguay will advance as a best-placed third-place team and they are 99 % certain to play Germany in Boston on Monday. Then in Group E, there was massive drama as Ecuador, who failed to score in their first two games, came up clutch against the group winners, Germany.

5:53I think they enjoyed this one in the Ecuadorian commentary box.

6:09Gonzalo Plata will go down in Ecuadorian football folklore after his close-range goal in the 77th minute gave Ecuador a 2-1 win over Germany in New Jersey. There were tears in the stands as the predominantly Ecuador-supporting crowd celebrated a famous win against a largely second-string Germany side. That result means they will qualify as one of the best third-place teams, the first time they've made it out of the group stage in 20 years, by the way. Insane. They are very likely to play Mexico, though, in Mexico City in the last 32. That is potentially going to be the best atmosphere of the entire tournament and a ridiculously tough fixture as well.

6:49Meanwhile, in Philly, Curaçao's blue wave made themselves heard for the final time.

7:03All the vibes on the streets in Philadelphia as Captain Blueface, who, as the name suggests, paints his whole face completely blue, looking a bit like he should be on stage in Las Vegas, led the Curacao fans in song before their match against the Ivory Coast. Curacao could have made the last 32 with a win, but they were beaten 2-0 as Nicolas Pepe scored both goals for the Ivory Coast. That marks the first ever time that the country has reached the knockout stages of the World Cup. They're either going to face Norway or France in Dallas on Friday. Speaking of Dallas, in Group F, Sweden fans were enjoying themselves yesterday in the Texas heat, singing about their star striker.

7:50The yellow wall was in great voice ahead of their match against Japan. The Swedes have had a mixed tournament so far, beating Tunisia 5-1 and then losing 5-1 to the Netherlands. But they look much better in this one as a wonderful strike from Antonia Langer secured the Swedes a 1-1 draw that guaranteed them a place in the final 32 as one of the best third place teams. Quite a funny moment as well at the final whistle as Antonia Langer sat on the floor absolutely distraught, thinking that Sweden were knocked out. Graham Potter, their manager, afterwards joked to the press, bless him, we did tell him.

8:25In the other game, the Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to seal top spot in Group F. Two early goals, including another from Sunderland's Brian Brobby, made this a pretty comfortable night for Ronald Koeman's side. The Dutch will face Morocco in the last 32, which feels like quite a harsh reward for winning the group. Meanwhile, Japan will face Brazil. I'm not sure which one's worse, to be honest with you. Sweden will likely face either France or Norway, but that is yet to be confirmed. And as the world arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, we're going coast to coast, host city to host city to meet the world with the Men in Blazers Match Day Live Tour.

9:04These are free college game day style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer where we'll be taking the stage with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans. It's going to be amazing. Come and be with us in person or from afar on YouTube. and let's celebrate this some other way. It's meant to be celebrated. Just head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details. To the football, to more together courage.

9:34Let's dive into Friday's matches then because the group stages are very nearly reaching their conclusion. Today's groups, GH and I will be wrapped up and it all starts with Group I at 3pm Eastern. Get your popcorn out for this one because it is going to be one of the match-ups of the tournament. so far. Norway face France in Boston. The talent on display is going to be next level and all eyes will be on the battle between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Let's get straight into it on the Drilldown.

10:07Today's Drilldown brought to you by Makita is all about the duel between two of the world's best forwards. Erling Haaland for Norway and Kylian Mbappe for France. Both countries have qualified for the last 32 already after winning both matches so far but this contest will determine who wins the group. Norway have impressed so far and Erling Haaland in particular is in fine form coming into this one. I don't know I think it's my speciality to score goals. It's like many other things I'm just really good at scoring goals. Confidence aside there are some doubts about whether their talisman will be rested.

10:41Norway's coach Stel Solbaken has hinted that he could rotate in order to protect his players for the knockouts. He hasn't specified exactly who he's going to rest, but they did find themselves down to nine men at one point in the closing stages of their win over Senegal after several players got cramped. So managing fitness levels is clearly a concern. For France, they'll be without their coach Didier Deschamps. He's flown home after the death of his mother. Rotation aside, Norway's depth is actually pretty remarkable. In attack, they have Crystal Palace's Jorgenstrand Larsson and Oscar Bob of Fulham both waiting to step up.

11:14However, France potentially have the deepest squad in the competition. They're not short of attacking options either. They can call on Ryan Scherke, Desiree Douay, Marcus Turam and Jean-Philippe Mateta. I mean, that's not half bad, is it? So if they want to give their star players, such as Mbappe and Dembele, some much needed rest, they definitely can. Whilst in past World Cups, winning the group is very important to guarantee an easier knockout path. The runner-up here is going to face the runner-up of Group E, which is the Ivory Coast. Not an easy game, but not a prospect that would terrify either nation either.

11:50At the same time, in Toronto, Senegal take on Iraq, with both teams sitting on zero points. Senegal are a team packed with top-level talent and will be disappointed to have got nothing, despite playing well in spells against both France and Norway. The incentive here for the Senegalese is pretty simple. They have to beat Iraq and beat them well as well. Anything less than a three-goal win is unlikely to be enough to get them through as a third-place qualifier. Iraq's story to qualify for the World Cup was miraculous, but they have shot themselves in the foot defensively, letting in some horrendous goals so far.

12:25The game is a huge opportunity for Senegal to save their tournament. Then at 8pm Eastern, it's the conclusion of Group H, and it's time for Rog to support his new second favourite team. Cape Verde, like you, I've been a lifelong fan for like the last five days. You may or may not have realised, but cut Rog open and he actually bleeds Cape Verde. They have had a fairytale tournament so far, claiming deserved draws against both Spain and Uruguay. To date, they can seal a place in the last 32 if they beat Saudi Arabia and Houston. A draw could actually be enough for Cape Verde, but against this Saudi Arabia team that lacks attacking threat, the opportunity for a first World Cup win feels like a really exciting possibility.

13:08In the other group H match, the group's two heavy hitters play in Guadalajara as Uruguay face Spain. Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay have been very disappointing, only managing two draws so far, and a defeat here will mean the unthinkable, a group stage exit. Spain know they can top the group with a victory as well. the runner-up in this group will face Argentina, which is something Spain will really, really, really want to avoid. Finally, it's the conclusion of Group G at 11pm Pacific. I'm not going to lie, this group has been a tough watch so far, hasn't it? Although I did rate this chant at the Egypt against New Zealand game.

13:45Go back to rugby! Go back to rugby! Egypt fans, they're taunting their New Zealand opponents with a little go back to rugby chant. After their 3-1 win over the Kiwis, the Egyptians are riding high after finally claiming their first ever win in a World Cup. Now they face Iran in Seattle, knowing that a win will guarantee top spot in the group, putting them in the direct path of the United States. At the same time, in Vancouver, New Zealand take on Belgium, with both nations knowing a win will take them through. A draw might do it for Belgium, but it would be a pretty underwhelming return after being drawn in one of the easiest groups on paper.

14:29After the final games tonight, Roger Rory will be live from the City of Brotherly Love for their first East Coast episode of the Night Cup. Tune in right here on the Men in Blazers YouTube. That brings us very nicely onto our prediction challenge as morning cup day try and claw our way back into this game against Night Cup. Yesterday, both of us went for a Japan win, but we were both undone by Sweden grabbing a draw. Then in the US game, Rory went for a 2-2 draw whilst I optimistically went for a 2-1 USA win. I don't think that's a bad prediction. Now, I know that it was a bummer that Turkey scored that last-minute goal but the smallest silver lining is that it saved morning cup date from another defeat.

15:12So the score remains at 6-4. Today, Carl Beckerman stepped up for the night cup. First up, Norway, France. What do you reckon? 2-0 France. OK, confident that Mbappe is going to get back on the score sheet? Yeah. Not worried about the threat of Haaland? No, that's true. Let's switch it up 2-1. OK, I'm not trying to convince you either way. Just want to give you all the options. OK, next up we've got Cap Verde versus Saudi Arabia. Obviously quite a lot running on this game. A win we'll likely see either side go through, so quite an exciting one. I'll go with Cape Verde, 1-0. Nice, thank you very much, Carl.

15:47All right. OK then. Well, I must admit and tell you all that our producer, George, stepped in and actually helped convince Kyle to change his score there, which is very annoying. Which team are you on, George? I was trying to throw him off, but I ended up giving him quite good advice. Yeah, you did. Anyway, I'm going to twist and I'm going to go for a Norway 2-1 win over France. What? That's the pick. Can you believe it? And that might be awful because Erling Haaland might not even start for Norway, so I don't know why I've done that. I'll also go for a one-all draw between Cape Verde and Saudi.

16:21Bring it on. Come on, Letty.

16:27On today's finishing touch brought to you by Bear Paint, we might have found the secret to the USMNT's group stage success. Now, you might think that players like Balogun, Richards and Dest have been the reason why this team has managed to top the group. But actually, could the real reason be Bud, Dewdrop and Bloom? Oh, look at that. Cutest thing I have ever seen. Now, shortly after the team's 4-1 win over Paraguay, the team were given a surprise visit by the three puppies who were just nine weeks old. Christian Pulisic, Matt Freese and Chris Richards and also Gio Reyna all went to say hello to the little puppies who were brought along by Wags & Walks, a non-profit shelter in LA that aims to encourage the adoption of rescue dogs.

17:11Now, according to The Athletic, the visit was personally approved by Mauricio Pochettino who himself is a big lover of dogs. That's when you can tell a man is a good person. He has a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Sansa who even has his own Instagram account, named after this Game of Thrones character, by the way. I just realised I don't care. I've got to say, Sansa is a brilliant name for a dog. Anyway, the visit was so positive that efforts are being made for another puppy visit before the knockout stages. To be honest, they could probably do with another sooner after yesterday's defeat to Turkey.

17:44yeah? And by the way, these puppies actually have a very important job, with many studies finding that even just a 10-minute visit from a puppy can lower your stress hormones and boost mood enhancers like oxytocin. Get me some puppies, everybody. So if the USA does win the World Cup, maybe we should also get a medal over to Bud, Dewdrop and Bloom. By the way, Bloom is looking for her forever home. That is it for Morning Cup Date today, built by the Home Depot. The Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready, subject to availability.

18:22Tomorrow, Rog and Rory will take over the land of a thousand cheese steaks or cheesecakes, as I thought it was known. They do do a Philadelphia cheesecake, guys. They do. Sure they. Anyway, the great city of Philadelphia for our fourth stop on the Match Day Live Tour at the lovely Spruce Street Harbour Park. They'll be joined by a cast of absolute legends, including two-time World Cup winner and editor-in-chief of the women's game, Sam Muis, Italy's world-class striker, Mario Bellatelli, and esteemed member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, the iconic Jeremiah Trotter. It all kicks off at 3pm Eastern, and of course, it's free to everybody.

19:02Come on down for another epic day. The link for more details is in the notes below. As always, guys, sit back, relax, and enjoy those six games of wonderful football. We'll see you tomorrow.