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Jermaine Jones is looking forward to the United States' "special" meeting with Germany on Thursday which will decide the fate of both teams in the 2014 World Cup. - Torre: Emotional finish for U.S. in Manaus
- Carlisle: U.S. must move on from late stumble
- Carlisle: U.S. grades - Yanks hopes halted
- How the U.S. can qualify for the round of 16 The U.S. were moments away from clinching a place in the round of 16 but will now have to get a result against Germany after Portugal scored a stoppage time equaliser to draw 2-2 in Manaus. Jones, who cancelled out Nani's early strike to bring the U.S. back on to level terms in the second half, was frustrated they couldn't see out the win. He told reporters: "Of course you are frustrated and you seethe with anger. We were only one minute away, and we should have just kicked the ball away." Now the U.S. must turn their attention to a game against Germany which holds extra significance. Jones won three caps for Germany during 2008 in friendlies, but in 2010 opted to play for the U.S., the land of his father. He is not the only U.S. player with German roots. On Sunday, Jurgen Klinsmann, the former Nationalmannschaft coach, started Fabian Johnson and Jones, while Timothy Chandler, Anthony Brooks and youngster Julian Green are in the 23-man squad. "For those with German roots, the match against Germany will be something very special," Jones said. "We want to advance, Germany want to advance." With both sides needing just one point to progress to the round of 16 and eliminate Portugal and Ghana, regardless of the result in their match, similarities could be drawn with the "Disgrace of Gijon" at the 1982 World Cup. In that game Germany beat Austria 1-0, a game which saw both sides qualify for the next round and Algeria knocked out with simultaneous kick-off times introduced by FIFA as a consequence. But Jones insists the U.S. will take the game as seriously as they have their first two. "We'll approach the game with all seriousness," he said. "But, yes, we want to progress and Germany want to progress." Klinsmann also played down fears, saying he does not think the US "are made for draws." "My job is to get everything done in order to have us go through to the round of 16. There is no time to have friendship calls. It's all about business now," he said. German television network ZDF dedicated one of their channels to Klinsmann for the game against Portugual and had a specially broadcast "Klinsi cam" on the U.S. manager throughout the match.
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