(CNN) -- It's time for Team USA to put up or shut up in Brazil. Beat Germany, or at least eke out a tie, and the Americans go through to the knockout stage. Lose, and they open themselves up to the possibility that their World Cup 2014 run ends in the group stage. That's one of five things we'll be watching for and talking about Thursday: 1. NOTE FROM THE BOSS Could be quiet in the office First came the trash talk between Germany and the United States -- at the United Nations, of all places! Now Team USA's German-born coach Jurgen Klinsmann is trying to rally fans stateside. The game starts at noon ET, right in the middle of the workday, so Klinsmann tweeted a form letter for employees to give their bosses.
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NEW: Uruguay striker Luis Suarez banned for nine matches for biting Italian opponent
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Take the day off to watch the match, Team USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann urges
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Ghana suspends two star players over allegations of physical and verbal abuse
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Even Israelis backed Iran's underdog World Cup run
Media reports say a planeload with more than $3 million in cash was sent from Ghana to Brazil after the @placeholder apparently complained they hadn't been paid their appearance fees since the start of the competition.