World Cup Preview: Group E

The World Cup is almost here! So that you aren't caught flat-footed, we're previewing each group, in no particular order, to explain why your team has no chance to win (you'll thank us later). Today: Group E! This is the last one; the footy begins on Friday, friends.

The U.S. is fielding maybe its best team ever, but alas: The Yanks were placed in the fourth "group of muerta," and so there's a good chance they won't advance, just so you know. But just so you don't go out and set yourself on fire on Bruce Arena's lawn, note that the Czechs are injury-riddled, the Italians distracted by match-fixing and wagering scandals, and Ghana is in the finals for the first time. So chin up, Clark Griswold. Let's see how this plays out. The vital statistics:

• Group E: Czech Republic, Ghana, Italy, United States. • Our pick to win: Czech Republic. • Which means the winner will probably be: Italy. (Two teams advance). • No chance: Ghana. • Just think of it as a European Vacation: United States. • Full match schedule.

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