Last matches of group stage

Every team has now played twice and there are some interesting match-ups to come:

• A - It will be interesting to see how Uruguay and Mexico approach their match. A draw and they both are through. However, Mexico stands in 2nd place based on goal differential. I highly doubt they would want to stay in 2nd and have the honor of playing against Argentina in the first round of the knockout stage. France and South Africa still have a shot at advancing if one can win and make up some goal differential. I think South Africa will be up for probably their last match, but who knows if France will even show up. Literally, will France even show up?
• B - I am taking it for granted that Argentina will finish first. They just need a draw vs Greece to maintain top spot. They probably stay 1st with a loss to Greece based on goal differential. South Korea will want to beat Nigeria by a few goals to secure 2nd. If all matches are a draw, South Korea would go through as 2nd. As long as Greece does not go through, I am fairly happy here.
• C - This group is completely wide open. US need a win vs Algeria to go through. England need a win vs Slovenia to go through. Most people thought these would be no problems two weeks ago, but Algeria and Slovenia are well organized sides. More on group C tomorrow.
• D - This group is completely wide open. Germany really need to beat Ghana to go through as 1st due to goal differential. Serbia should beat Australia, but the Socceroos could come out and post a draw or victory.
• E - Netherlands are through to the knockout stage and take on Cameroon. I think some Dutch stars will be rested, but they have plenty of depth and may want to get Arjen Robben on the pitch for a run out. Japan and Denmark face off for 2nd place with Japan holding the edge on goal differential.
• F - This group is completely wide open. The surprising All Whites from New Zealand have taken points off of Slovakia and Italy. Can they do the same vs Paraguay? I had high hopes for Slovakia, but they have looked pretty bad so far. Will the slow starting Italians figure their game out and get a victory to sneak through?
• G - Brazil vs Portugal is really all that matters. I can see Brazil resting some key players; however, will Portugal? Portugal could sense an opportunity against a weakened Brazil and take the chances to top the group to potentially avoid Spain in the 1st round of the knockout stage.
• H - Spain vs Chile could well be the most entertaining match of the group stage. Chile really likes to attack with a 3-3-1-3 formation which could really play into Spain's hands and backfire for Chile. Chile really need to be careful because if Switzerland beat Honduras by 2 goals and Chile lose to Spain, Switzerland would go through.

It is still too early to get a reading on the pool standings at the moment. For example, the top three of Michael Bradley (no, not Bob's son), Brian Kleine and Erik Endler all have some questions in their selections that may not come through. Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Denmark and Slovakia could all end up with no more points and the changes would change a lot.

French Disgrace

During the Italy v New Zealand match, it was reported that the French team has refused to train ahead of their final match due to an altercation at the practice facility. What a disgrace from a talented squad? Anelka, Gourcuff, Ribery, Evra, Malouda, Diaby, Clichy & Lloris to name a few. Again, very talented on paper; however, they obviously are missing a leader to get them play together. I believe that without the leadership of Zidane in 2006, France would not have been in the final. I really think he was the de facto manager rather than Domenech.

It has been known for a while that Domenech is not a great manager, but French Football Federation decided to stick with him after a dismal qualification requiring a disputed playoff victory over Ireland and a bad EURO 2008. Then, a month or so prior to the World Cup the Federation decided to announce that the World Cup would be Domenech's last stint with Les Bleus and proceeded to name the up and coming Laurent Blanc as manager in waiting. I really think this completely made the already fragile French team completely crumble.

Special 1 TV (World Cup EP02 EXTENDED VERSION) simon,cheryl,& Sven the pimp

Some more humor as the Special 1 has evidence of Sven "pimping" himself out for the Liverpool job. The under utilization of Rooney his pretty funny too as they make fun of England's performance vs the US. I am sorry, but the funniest has to Shaun Wright-Phillips' tiny door!

SPECIAL 1 TV (world cup blog 4) Wayne's Anger Management.

After today's awful refereeing mistake, we all need a little humor. Watch Capello test Wayne's temper threshold and completely losing it when "You'll Never Walk Alone" is sung. If you do not understand this, Google - Liverpool You'll Never Walk Alone. I am not a LUFC supporter, but hearing them sing as one voice on a European night is wonderful!

Talking Points

We now have a major talking point in the World Cup. The refs in the the two early matches today have been awful. In the Germany - Serbia match, it seemed that every foul the Spanish ref called he felt it necessary to give out a yellow card. This is the World Cup, not La Liga. In doing so, he changed the outcome of the game when he gave Klose his second yellow card. At most, Klose maybe deserved one yellow for accumulation of fouls.

Then, the US "3rd goal" was nowhere close to being offside or even a foul whatever the call was. I could not tell since I was in a group setting and could not really hear the commentary. One, I do not think Bradley was offside to begin with and two, Bradley did not make the play on the ball so he was effectively not in an offside position. That was a bad call, but the US has got to ensure they are not in that position to begin with. The US has to do a better job of playing defense in the first 15 minutes. You cannot give up space in the center of midfield.

I will also admit that I am wrong on Torres. I really thought he would bring something, but his 1st half was awful.

US - Slovenia

This is a big match. Lose and the US is all but out. Win and a very good chance of advancing. Draw and it will be nailbiting time.

Typically, the US has struggled against well organized teams or Eastern European teams. Slovenia is both. Slovenia seems to be content sitting back on defense and waiting for the counter. The US has real trouble creating opportunities against these type of teams, which is why I think we will see Jose Francisco Torres instead of Ricardo Clark in central midfield. Torres will add some creativity to break down the Slovenians.

The US will have to be patient and not try too hard to push forward because once you do, you open yourself up to a counter attack. The US has shown in the tune up matches that the defense is quite weak against the counter attack and will need to be more disciplined.

I would think the only other question for the US lineup is who partners Jozy up top. Will Coach Bradley go with speed in Findley or the in form finishers of Gomez or Buddle? I am partial to Gomez, but I think Slovenia is not comfortable defending the speed that Findley brings and holes may open up.

It looks like Slovenia looks to Robert Koren to create their attack. I would envision Michael Bradley being tasked to shadow him and not give him any space to work in.

I will be watching the match at Dantanna's in the CNN Center. Hope to see you there!

GO YANKS! I say the US win 2-1.

Golden Boot

Through the first week of the tournament, our Golden Boot selections have been pretty poor. The only selection of ours to score has been Team Bradberry's selection of Klose. Messi, Robinho & Villa have come very close and Messi should have a goal or two if not for the unbelievable display that the Nigerian keeper made on Saturday.

Those that selected Torres had to be a little worried not to see him start. I doubt this will be the case for long since Spain looked better when Torres came on. To me, there is no reason Spain needs both Alonso and Busquets on the field at the same time if they are not playing an attacking squad.

We will see if any can get going in the next few days!