The World Cup draw announced Friday put the United States in the Group of Death with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana – two of the top five teams in the world, plus the African power that’s knocked the U.S. out of the last two WCs. National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his team put a good face on it, noting that it’s largely their own No. 14 world ranking that makes this a group of death. It’s June 12-July 13 in Brazil.

The European Champions League group stage concluded this week, with England and Germany each advancing all four teams into next spring’s 16-team knockout round, and the three Spanish giants winning their groups… Host Kansas City won the MLS Cup, in a marathon shootout win over Real Salt Lake… UCLA won the Women’s College Cup; NCAA Men‘s final four is upcoming this week… The Trinity (San Antonio) women suffered their first loss of the season in the NCAA Div. III final Saturday in San Antonio. William Smith won the title, 2-0.

This article appears in December 13 • 2013.

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