On June 11th the biggest sporting event in the world takes place in South Africa. For one month countries whose teams are involved in a match will stop everything and tune in…………………….well 31 countries will. The 32nd country is my country, The United States of America, where in previous years we are lucky to get more than 30 seconds on any sports show. Hopefully that changes this year as ESPN has the rights to the World Cup and will probably market the hell out of it.
Why our country is for the most part apathetic is probably a combination of our national team not being that good, us not creating the sport (see hockey) and the limited coverage of foreign top leagues which gives an outsiders feel to our viewers and a shitty product for the casual observer when he sees the MLS. So here is a quick breakdown of what you need to know about the beautiful game. I will not break down every team as that would bore the hell out of most people. Instead I will give you the key teams and players to know and follow for the next month.
Teams should win it all (In no particular order):
Brazil – Even non fans usually know Brazil is the king of world football. Most know the name of Pele. This years squad will not be like those of past years and it has to do with their coach. Gone is the wreck-less offensive abandon of years past and in its place is a ruthless team that actually plays defense.
Player to know: Kaka – former world player of the year who after a disappointing club year should be out to prove his mettle.
Why they wont: Is Brazil really Brazil without reckless offensive abandon? If they finish 2nd in the group the first knock out round game is against Spain.
Spain: The deepest team in the tournament. If they grab the lead you will not get the ball back. Their passing is brilliant and their players are some of the best in the world. They also bucked a Spanish trend of losing in major tournaments as they won the previous Euro’s.
Player to know: Fernando Torres- slightly dinged up but should be good to go. The player my roomate calls “She” could win the golden boot.
Why they wont: Could revert to pre Euro 2008 form and choke away a game. The health of Xavi is also a concern and they could face Brazil or Portugal in their first elimination game.
Netherlands: Talented team that could take it all. Infighting could undue them.
Player to know: Robin van Persie – Arsenal forward who the Dutch will need to play well and not lash out at teamates if they are to win it all.
Why they wont: Infighting and an undependable Defense.
Teams that could win it all:
Argentina: Offensively loaded. They have arguably the best player (reigning world player of the year) in the world in Lionel Messi. Diego Milito is also on fire, he scored 2 goals in the Champions League final. They have the firepower to do it.
Player to Watch: Lionel Messi- his coach has been quoted as saying “he is playing futbol with Jesus”. This guy has been spectacular. The NFL equivalent would be Barry Sanders, diminutive and electric. He could single handedly lead Argentina to the title.
Why they wont: Diego Maradona is not exactly a great coach and brings up some goofy tactics and formations, and Messi has yet to live up to his club play for the national side.
Portugal: Won over and over when they had to as they faced elimination with any loss during qualifying. Like Argentina they have arguably the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. This is Portugal’s “Golden Generations” (Figo, Deco) last go around for a major title. They finally have a decent keeper Eduardo to match a good defense led by Pepe.
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo – Can single footedly take over a match and win it for his side. Unbelievable speed and has the strength to fight off defenders (when he chooses not to dive). He can strike from distance and is very dangerous during set pieces.
Why they wont: They are in the group of death. If they finish 2nd they will most likely draw Spain in the first stage of the knockout round. Ronaldo has yet to show his league form on for the national team.
England: In South Africa it is winter! This helps the English style. I would have rated them higher had it not been for an injury to Rio Ferdanand. They still have the talent to take the cup but will need sublime play from Rooney.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney – Americans could fall in love with this guy. Strong, not one to dive and he hustles far back to play defense, too far for a striker to the detriment of his offense which England needs. He was the second leading scorer in the English Premier League.
Why they wont: Injuries and questions at keeper.
Germany: Overall strong team. They are great at nothing but don’t be surprised to see them go deep or even take the whole thing.
Player to watch: Thomas Muller – scored 19 goals this year in all competitions. Young gun who must be itching to put his mark on the world stage.
Why they wont: Not exceptional at anything. A team in transition whose established strikers have not had good years.
France: They have world class players. One on his last legs (Henry) another wanted by every club on earth (Ribery). Both will want to put in fine performances.
Player to watch: Frank Ribery – Hot name on the club acquisition wire. He will want to put on a show. Think of the World Cup as contract years for players in the NFL. Guys get unbelievable pay days from one tourney. Everyone wants him now. A great cup performance will drive his price even higher.
Why they wont: Turmoil, just google “French football 16 year old prostitute”, Henry is almost 33 and seen better days, with no Benzema even more pressure will be on him. They team barely qualified for the World Cup and even got help from a handball just to beat the Irish.
Italy: Best goal keeper in the world in Buffon. A strong defensive team who can score when needed. Veteran stars have been here before.
Player to watch: Gianluigi Buffon – Greatest keeper on the planet when he is fit and on his game good luck getting shots by him.
Why they wont: Aging team could be on the verge of old and not just experienced. And they stunk it up in the Confed Cup.
Longshots:
Cote d’Ivoire: Didier Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world. Like Messi and Ronaldo he could take his team on his back and score them to victories. He led the EPL in goals this season. Watch the South Africans rally behind this team as many believe it is the best African shot to make some noise.
Player to watch: Didier Drogba – see above.
Why they wont: Drogba may miss the cup. If he does they have no shot. If he plays they have a shot to make it out of the group of death that Portugal and Brazil are in with them. If they finish 2nd and advance they then are likely taking on Spain in the first knockout stage round.
United States of America: Hey why not? And how can I not at least give a quick preview for our guys. American soccer is riding high after our most impressive finish in a major international competition with our second place finish at the ConFed Cup. If not for a collapse in the second half to Brazil we would have won the whole thing. Our team is scrappy. They do not give up and they work their asses off. Not the most talented bunch but they will not lay down for anyone. The South Africans nicknamed our boys the “Terriers” during the ConFed cup as they admired how our smaller players did not back down to the world powers. As we do not have an official team nickname I say we stick with the Terriers. Can surprise on the counter attack and are finally starting to get better athletes like Altidore, Onyewu. Our goal keeping is world class and we finally may have some other forwards ready to step up in Gomez and Buddle.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey – Donovan is the player most Americans know but he seems to disappear in big games at times. Dempsey had a breakout year for Fulham and you will not intimidate him. His confidence should be high. Lets hope he pours in some goals for us especially now that Altidore may have an ankle issue and is unproven.
Why they wont: Injuries and not the same individual talent- Charlie Davies is most likely out for the cup. Small shot he could be placed on still but I doubt it. He was our one player with world class pace. Big blow that he is out. Onyewu is also still recovering from a knee injury that caused him to miss the whole Serie A season. Altidore also just hurt his ankle. If Onyewu and Altidore are not on the top of their games it will most likely be a long cup for the Terriers.
My final pick: Spain 3 - Brazil 1
The deepest team in the tournament wins it. The Spaniards match their Euro triumph and pull off the impressive double. When they are on they are such a beautiful team to watch as their passing is out of this world. I don’t think Brazil selected the strikers needed who are in good enough form to keep up and Kaka has been injury prone. Spain gets the early lead and then puts on a clinic in ball control. David Villa scores two goals and Torres nets one in the final. Torres wins the golden boot (top scorer) and is named the best player (Golden Ball) of the tourney.