World Cup Preview

For starters, thanks to BB for giving me the opportunity to grace his blog with my 2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa Outlook.

Now to the good stuff...

USA! USA! USA! (with the BUZZING VUVUZES drowning out my chanting)

Yes, I am chanting for the men representing the Stars and Stripes. And, yes, they are actually at the World Cup with the idea of competing and winning in mind. So long 1990! Here in America, we are no longer happy with just "being there". Every World Cup includes that same scenario; a smaller nation who's ecstatic for simply being involved in the group stages. Now, 20 years further down the road (from 1990), the Americans come to South Africa with serious business to take care of.

The rest of the world now sees the United States as being capable of hanging with the "big boys".

Proof: Confederations Cup last summer in Africa. The US knocked off the world's top team, Spain. They also lead Brazil 2-0 at half in the championship game. Through small-scale, our squad's confidence grew immensely as a result of the time spent in Africa last summer. Additionally, Brazil and Spain are both heavy favorites to win the World Cup in 2010.

The US soccer team is not a team full of players from the MLS anymore; many of our prominent players reign from Europe or bring experience from other international clubs.

I look at Clint Dempsey as the perfect example of this newly-gained experience. Clint is a very skilled and emotional player. His game seemingly elevates every time he plays for his club team, Fulham in the EPL. US soccer fans continually find themselves saying, "wish he'd be spectacular in a US jersey". Okay, I admit it; I'm one of those fans...I hate and hate on Clint (look at it as constructive criticism)--trashing his defense, hustle, and ball-hogging habits. Then, very quickly he shuts us up when he puts one in the back of the net.

As important as Dempsey is to the team, it's actually Landon Donovan who's far more important than any other player.

Landon, unlike the majority of the US World Cup roster, has been to 2 different World Cups. Donovan treated each Cup differently, while taking something new from each. First, he seemed shell-shocked and content with his World Cup debut. Next, he got a bigger taste and had a better idea of what to expect after the US advanced from their group stage. Still though, he didn't seem to have a complete grasp of what it would take to really make a run at the World Cup finals.

FLASHFORWARD! Currently, Landon couldn't be playing better soccer. He's been making a solid impact while on loan to Everton in the EPL, and finally admits to maturing both on and off the field. The US needs Donovan to be on top of his game throughout the 2010 World Cup. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in a precarious situation. I firmly believe Landon is ready to carry the "Yankees" on his back en route to the Promise Land.

This brings me to June 12th, 2010. The journey to this day has been long, but now a new chapter begins. BRING ON ENGLAND!

Here is my outlook for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Group A-- France, Mexico, South Africa, and Uruguay

Team to Beat= France. Even though they qualified for the WC on a handball goal, they are still the best team in this group. They will be without striker Benezma, but the French will look to Anelka, Ribery, and Henry for their scoring.

Player to Watch= Steven Pienaar, South Africa. Pienaar has solidified his presence amongst the world stage, and the Everton midfielder should put on quite a show for his home nation.

Sleeper= South Africa. Chew on this for a sec or two...Never in WC history has the host nation not advanced past group play. Just saying...

Top 2 Advancing= South Africa and Uruguay.

Group B-- Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, and South Korea

Team to Beat= Argentina. The Argentinians are definitely one of the favorites to be crowned champion. There is no denying the talent on the pitch, but will their coach (Diego Maradona) hold them back?

Player to Watch= Lionel Messi, Argentina. Enough said.

Sleeper= Nigeria. Skilled EPL strikers Yakubu and Martinis are forces to be reckoned with.

Top 2 Advancing= Argentina and Nigeria

Group C-- Algeria, England, Slovenia, and United States

Team to Beat= England. Obviously, England is a heavy favorite to advance out of group C. The English are a real force to be reckoned with and cannot be taken lightly. The only thing England doesn't have is David Beckham, and that's a good thing. Watch out for the English.

Player to Watch= Wayne Rooney, England. This guy is a beast. Nobody in this group will be able to stop him. Wayne is the real deal.

Sleeper= Slovenia. Don't forget about Slovenia. They made it into the WC by beating an elite Russian squad in a tiebreaker.

Top 2 Advancing= England and United States.

Group D-- Australia, Germany, Ghana, and Serbia

Team to Beat= Germany. The Germans are clearly the front-runners of group D. Germany is poised to advance out of their group, which could draw a match up with the United States in the round of 16.

Player to Watch= Dejean Stankovic, Slovenia. The veteran inter Milan midfielder will be called upon by the Serbs for leadership and scoring. After a poor showing last World Cup in 2006 with only 1 goal scored, Stankovic will be looking to make his mark.

Sleeper= Australia. Led by the EPL midfielder Tim Cahill, the Aussie's are gaining confidence on the world stage. Australia will need to play lights out to advance out of the group, but anything is possible.

Top 2 Advancing= Germany and Serbia

Group E-- Cameroon, Denmark, Netherlands, and Japan

Team to Beat= Netherlands. Holland is absolutely loaded; they come to South Africa with championship aspirations. The Netherlands really doesn't have a weak spot on the roster, making them a very dangerous team.

Player to Watch= Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon. Eto'o is such a joy to watch on the pitch, making defenders look stupid-silly. Eto'o must come to play for Cameroon to have a real shot.

Sleeper= Denmark. The Danes are in South Africa flying under the radar, and they love it. Denmark is relishing the underdog role in their group; with an opening match against the Netherlands, they have a great opportunity to make an early splash.

Top 2 Advancing= Netherlands and Cameroon

Group F-- Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, and Slovakia

Team to Beat= Italy. Oh, those Italians! Yep, they still seem as old as our grandparents, but they are also still legit. Italy is looking to defend their WC title from 2006, but have a large bulls-eye on their back.

Player to Watch= Andrea Pirlo, Italy. His nagging calf injury could be a problem, but the ageless wonder is still looking to make a difference for Italy in group F. It looks like Pirlo is going to be out for the first 2 group matches, but hopes to be back in time for Slovakia.

Sleeper= Paraguay. Italy is the talk of this group, and deservedly so. Yet, Paraguay comes to South Africa with a legitimate team and chance to advance form this not-so-tough group. They will be without striker Salvador Cabanas, who was stabbed at a bar in Mexico. You can bet they will be playing with heavy hearts and with a desire to win one for their teammate.

Top 2 Advancing= Italy and Paraguay.

Group G-- Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Portugal (The Group of Death)

Team to Beat= Brazil. Okay, so group G is absolutely loaded with talent. Portugal and Ivory Coast are no slouches, but they also aren't on Brazil's level. Like always, Brazil is the team to beat.

Player to Watch= Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast. Drogba is easily one of the most entertaining players in the world, but could be limited this go around. He recently broke his arm. This should not hold him out of play, so look for him to be making plays on the field sporting a cast.

Sleeper= Portugal. Every year you expect more than you get from Portugal. Led by the 2nd best soccer player in the world, Christiano Ronaldo, this could be Portugal's year. I decided to make them my sleeper instead of favorite since they seem to enjoy choking.

Top 2 Advancing= Brazil and Portugal.

Group H-- Chile, Honduras, Spain, and Switzerland.

Team to Beat= Spain. Spain is probably the top favorite to win the WC. Exceptional talent + high expectations = Pressure. The Spanish will handle the pressure fine, breezing through group H.

Player to Watch= Cesc Fabregas, Spain. The Arsenal midfielder is surrounded by veteran talent. He should show his superb skill during group play, helping Spain on its quest for a WC title.

Sleeper= Honduras. What an interesting situation for Honduras! They qualified for the WC last second due to the US scoring an equalizing goal against Costa Rica. If Honduras can take care of Chile and the Swiss, I like the possibilities of them shocking the world and advancing out of group H.

Top 2 Advancing= Spain and Chile.

...............................................................................

The following ROUND OF 16 is a hypothetical scenario based on my predictions of each group:

South Africa DEF Nigeria

England DEF Serbia

Netherlands DEF Paraguay

Brazil DEF Honduras

Argentina DEF Uruguay

United States DEF Germany

Italy DEF Cameroon

Spain DEF Portugal

QUARTER FINALS:

England DEF South Africa

Netherlands DEF Brazil

Argentina DEF United States

Spain DEF Italy

SEMI-FINALS:

Netherlands DEF England

Argentina DEF Spain

THIRD PLACE GAME:

Spain DEF England

FINAL:

Argentina DEF Netherlands

CHAMPION= ARGENTINA