UPPER 90 U.S. IN ONE DEADLY GROUP.

Byline: SCOTT FRENCH SOCCER

HAMBURG, Germany - There's always a ``Group of Death'' at the World Cup, and it was difficult to argue with pre-tournament analysis that Group C was the toughest this time, with two world powers (Argentina and Netherlands), one rising African giant (Ivory Coast) and a solid European side (Serbia & Montenegro) that had surrendered just one goal during qualifying.

Enough of that. Two games played and the big teams have pushed through to the second round. It seems unfair for Didier Drogba-led Ivory Coast, who likely would be among the last 16 had it played in any other first-round quartet -- and maybe that's the best testimony for Group C's claim as toughest group.

But Landon Donovan was making the point at the U.S.'s Hamburg headquarters Monday that Ghana's stunning victory Saturday over the Czech Republic -- and the Americans' valiant draw with Italy -- made Group E the ``death'' group, and he's right.

Every team remains in contention for the knockout stage, and every team could be eliminated. That's not true of any other group.

The Ghanaians present a tricky challenge for the U.S., which can reach the round of 16 with several occurrences, all involving a victory Thursday over the Africans at Nuremberg's Frankenstadion.

The easiest: Italy beats the Czechs, the U.S. beats Ghana. That would set up a second-round showdown with Brazil next Tuesday in Dortmund.

``I think we're cautiously confident,'' said defender Eddie Pope, who won't be playing -- he's suspended after receiving two yellow cards in Saturday's 1-1 draw with the Italians in Kaiserslautern. ``I think we have a good chance. ... After our performance tonight, we'll have a lot of confidence."

Ghana has looked solid in both of its games, a tough 2-0 loss to Italy and the 2-0triumph over the Czechs, but its goalscorer, Sully Miniature and Samoa Guan, picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament and must serve one-game suspensions. Ghana is appealing Guan's caution; he was carded for taking a penalty kick before the referee's whistle but said he heard a whistle in the stands and mistook it for the real thing.

The Black Stars' speed could cause havoc for the U.S. backline.

``The U.S. will suffer,'' Ghana's Serbian coach, Ratomir Dujkovic, said Monday at his team's Wuerzburg camp. ``We are strong, and we are not afraid of anyone."

Neither are the Americans, whose performance against Italy was like a negative image from the 3-0 embarrassment against the Czech Republic in the Group E opener.

The Yanks were the more aggressive side Saturday, and they deserved more than just a point. The red cards were the barrier, and there was much hand-wringing over the calls although both could be defended.

Pablo Mastroeni's challenge on Andrea Pirlo was late, and it warranted a yellow card, but referees often are more strict when they've ejected an opposing player.

Pope, too, made a dumb challenge. When players have a yellow card they must proceed with caution.

Both situations demonstrate the Americans' remaining deficiency.

Mastroeni and Pope are MLS players, and MLS does not prepare for the international game the way top European and South American leagues do.

It's one reason why Claudio Reyna and John O'Brien and Donovan, who spent time in Germany, are so valuable: They know when to attack, when to sit back, how to alter the game's rhythms to best effect. The Czechs, Italians and Ghanaians understand this implicitly; that the U.S. could emerge from this group is testament to the Yanks' other qualities.

Germany hosting month-long party

HAMBURG, Germany -- Everybody at the World Cup knows that it's not the games that make the event so special, it's the atmosphere in the cities, on the streets and in the restaurants and bars, inside and outside the stadiums, at the Fan Fests and on the trains. It's a month-long Mardi Gras, an incredible celebration connecting diverse cultures, the biggest party the world has seen.

The streets of Munich in the days before the opener, Nuremberg transformed into a slice of Mexico, the South Koreans singing ``Ode to Joy'' from Beethoven's ninth symphony, the Reeperbahn in Hamburg after Germany's victories, the Samba rhythms beat out by the Brazilian drummers -- everyone in national colors, everyone in their country's jersey ... this is what the World Cup is about.

World Cup bests

City: Munich and Berlin are outstanding, and Nuremberg has many charms, but there's a reason the U.S. chose to stay in Hamburg, and security has only so much to do with it. It is a beautiful, vibrant, liberal city that has so much to see and do, and there a few better places to celebrate than in St.Pauli.

Stadium: The modern Allianz Arena in Munich is spectacular, superior to Stade de France outside Paris, Philips Stadion in Eindhoven and Qwest Field in Seattle, all among the world's finest facilities. It looks like a giant tire from the outside, but with a nighttime color scheme that can be breathtaking, and inside it is without peer.

Game to date: There have been quite a few sizzlers, but none have been as much fun -- on the field and in the stands -- as Germany's 4-2 triumph over Costa Rica in the Munich opener. Three great goals, including the unexpected opening blast of the match from German defender Philipp Lahm (pictured), and plenty of drama.

Team: Hard to argue with Argentina, which has looked so good against Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro. As much talent as Brazil but possesses more steel -- and what a bench: Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi.

Player: Argentina's Juan Roman Riquelme is the central figure for the best side in the Cup.

Performance: Former Howard University star Shaka Hislop's heroic showing in the nets to deliver to Trinidad & Tobago a 0-0 draw with Sweden.

Goal: There were 26 touches leading to Esteban Cambiasso's goal -- from Hernan Crespo's backheel -- the second in Argentina's 6-0 rout of Serbia & Montenegro.

Fans: South Korea's red-clad followers are awesome and inspiring.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) The strong play of Ghana, which beat the Czech Republic, lends credence to the argument that Group E is indeed the toughest.

Murad Sezer/Associated Press

(2) no caption (Phillip Lahm)

Box:

(1) BEST IN THE WORLD

(2) Etc.