World Cup Post #3

Holy Shit. We are now less than 5 days from the start of World Cup and I think I am starting to get a little excited.

First, some U.S. soccer news. It looks like English club Middlesborough have beaten the rest of the world to the punch and signed Oguchi Onyewu. Good for him, going to a big-time league. Good for 'Boro for getting him before the price tag went up.

Before I get started, I invite those of you just starting your EToWJB World Cup adventure to read my first two World Cup posts: World Cup post #1 and World Cup Post #2.

Group E: United States, Italy, Czech Republic, Ghana.
This group is what most soccer fans are calling the group of death. Ghana is not expected to advance, but they have also been called "the one African team nobody wants to face." When you look at the FIFA rankings (which are pretty much a joke) you find that Group E holds the World's # 2, 5 and 13 in the same group. Shocking to most is that the Czechs are #2 and the U.S. is #5. However, I would put Italy as the favorite to win this group. They are talented, efficient, and crafty. They are super deep. In the back is who I would consider one of the best defenders in the world in Allesandro Nesta. The midfield is sparked by Francesco Totti, who is recovering from a broken foot. You may have noticed that there seems to be a lot of broken feet going around the football world. In any case, they also have a great holding midfielder in Gennaro Gattuso (although I think he's a hack and a prick). Up front watch for Inzaghi, Toni, and Del Pierro. There are maybe 5 other names I could mention as great players, and that's why this team is scary. Two things about Italy: They are known to choke under pressure and Italian football has been rocked by a scandal involving a few of their top teams possibly influencing the outcome of games by choosing their officials. Many, if not most, of the Italian players comes from one of the teams involved (Juventus, AC Milan, maybe more). How will the scandal effect the players? Hard to say. I feel like these guys are pros and will enjoy being away from Italy for the month. The Czechs also bring a wealth of talent, although I don't think they are the #2 team in the world. Peter Cech is a great keeper to have in goal. I know nothing about their defenders. Their biggest threat in the midfield is Peter Nedved, but they lost a strong player in Vladamir Smicer to injury. Jan Koller led the team in scoring during qualifying, but most people look to Milan Baros to carry them in the World Cup. This is a great team. However, I think they are beatable - and the U.S. is just the team to do it. I think this is a stronger U.S. squad than the quarter-finalist in Korea/Japan. With Brad Friedel's retirement, Kasey Keller steps in as the #1 in goal. What does the U.S. lose? Absolutely nothing. This is an area where the U.S. is arguably stronger than any other country. Keller is one of the best in the world. His backup, Marcus Hahnemann, was voted keeper of the year for England's Championship Division (2nd highest league) winners Reading. Defensively, Gooch stands out as the man picked to knock some strikers on their asses. The other defenders are so-so in my book, but I will say that Carlos Bocanegra is highly underrated. The man in the midfield has always been Claudio Reyna, but I think his injuries will get the best of him this year as well. Landon Donovan and DeMarcus Beasley make up a dangerous fast duo threat, but they are also little guys. Really, I feel like this is a very talented group from top to bottom. Watch for Bobby Convey to get some time and make a name for himself. Scoring goals could be the weakness of this team. However, I think Eddie Johnson just might make a really strong showing. He knows how to put the ball in the net and he is crazy fast. Ghana is young, inexperienced, and fast. A definite threat, but the likely bottom-dweller in this group.

1. Italy 2 wins 1 draw, 7 points
2. U.S. 2 wins, 1 loss 6 points
3. Czechs 1 win 1 draw 4 points
4. Ghana 0 wins, no points

Group F: Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan
Brazil has become the easy pick to win the cup, but I wouldn't bet on it. Look at their starting attackers alone (Adriano, Fred, Robinho, Ronaldinho, etc.) and you crap in your pants. However, look at the defenders and what do you find. Talent that will sit the bench in favor of older semi-legends. Cafu will be 36 when they play their first game and any Real Madrid fan will tell you that Roberto Carlos is not the same guy he was back in 2002 or 1998. Yes, everybody knows that Roberto Carlos can kick the ball really hard, but his weakness is defensive skill. Brazil will win this group and have a great cup, but the teams with speed and skill in the midfield and attack can beat them - if you can stop their attack first. Croatia is one of those teams that often gets carried by a star player. There is no star this time around - no more Davor Suker (led the world cup in scoring in '98). They tied Malta in qualifying and beat their only competition (Sweden) 1-0 both times. I don't see much from these guys. Japan - well, I really don't know much about this Japanese side except teams generally do well when they host, and they don't get that benefit this time around. However, they bring an incredibly passionate fanbase and are often exciting to watch. Takahara and Nakata are really talented, but Japan's defense is not so hot and they generally don't deal well with the physical nature of full international play. I can't tell you how excited I am to see the socceroos in the World Cup. It is hard for them to get here because they have to qualify out of Oceania, which is easy for them, but to get to the World Cup, they have to beat the 5th place team from South America - and they are never pushovers. They
beat Uruguay in penalties to get here and I think they have a chance to move to the second round. Their best player is Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell, who had a tremendous year for the Reds. Mark Schwarzer is a quality keeper that plays for Middlesbrough in England where he is joined by fellow socceroo Mark Viduka. Little Tim Cahill is back from an injury and had the equalizer in their draw with the Netherlands. This team will be really fun to watch.

1. Brazil 3 win 9 points
2. Australia 1 win, 1 draw 4 points
3. Croatia 2 draws 2 points
4. Japan 1 draw 1 point



Tomorrow I will hit the last 2 groups. Tuesday I will give my predictions for the first two knockout rounds, Wednesday the semis and finals. Thursday I will crap my pants in excitement. Friday I will be in heaven.