Knockout Round Predictions

After seeing that my last World Cup prediction bracket has pretty much been burnt to smithereens, I figured that I should make some predictions with the actual bracket, so let’s get to it.

Brazil v. Chile: I got this match right the first time around, nothing much has changed here.

Winner: Brazil

Columbia and Uruguay: When Uruguay played without Suarez against Costa Rica they struggled in the second half, it will be much of the same story against Columbia, who is playing great football.

Winner: Columbia

France and Nigeria: France has yet to be tested, Bezema and Giroud looked great in the first two matches, and Nigeria will not provide a test for France.

Winner: France

Germany and Algeria: In an upset, Algeria made it out of their group; however they will be no match for Germany.

Winner: Germany

Netherlands and Mexico:  Mexico did a great defensive job against the Brazil and Croatia; they will have to play a similar defensive strategy against the Dutch. I can see this match going either way, but I think the speed of Arjen Robben will be too much.

Winner: Holland

Costa Rica and Greece: Costa Rica playing will play Greece, a team who cheated to get to this round, easy pick.

Winner: Costa Rica

Argentina and Switzerland: Other than Messi Grandfather, everyone seems pretty happy with his form in this tournament; he alone will help them beat the Swiss.

Winner: Argentina

Belgium and USA: As much as I would love to see the U.S win, my head is going another way.  Belgium has way too much attacking power.

Winner: Belgium

Round 2

Brazil v Columbia: Brazil has quality all around the field, Columbia only have it up front.

Winner: Brazil

France and Germany: Going to be a very close match that will come down to who will have the better Goal Keeper that goes to Germanys Manuel Neuer.

Winner: Germany

Netherlands v Costa Rica: Despite Costa Rica playing great football, they will not have the quality of the Dutch.

Winner: Holland

Belgium v. Argentina: I picked Belgium to beat Argentina in this match before the tournament started, I am changing my mind, and Argentina is still playing great, despite losing Sergio Augero. Belgium seems to be playing more for themselves, then for the team.

Winner: Argentina

Round 3:

Brazil v. Germany: I’m not changing my mind on this one; I’m still taking the Brazilians.

Winner: Brazil

Holland v. Argentina:  Argentina does not have the defense to contain Ajren Robben and Robin Van Persie, Dutch will win in a match that some might consider and upset.

Winner: Holland

Final:

Brazil v. Holland:

Instead of Brazil Spain, it will be the team that dismantled them in the group stage, I still like the Brazilians. They have too much quality all over the field.

Winner and New Champion: Brazil.

U.S Germany Breakdown

The final group of of death match for the U.S Mens National Team was a lost to Tournment favorite Germany, however due to the result in the Portugal/ Ghana match, the U.S.A is through to the Top 16 single elimination knockout phase as we play Belgium on Tuesday. This will be a tough game, lets break down where the team is right now.

•          The struggle was real today: The boys were pinned in there own end for the majority of the match today, as the suffered from the German onslaught. When they would attempt to clear the ball, they became more concerned with getting the ball away then trying to maintain a good possession and an attack at the goal. Despite this the team get a great job weathering the storm, and despite a ball the Thomas Mueller finding the back of the net, the defense held, Tim Howard made key saves when he had to, and Omar Gonzalez made a key play to prevent a goal after a terrible clearance to a German player.
•            Michael Bradley: Another bad game for him, largely absent, even in the offensive possessions for the u.s, he was bad against Ghana, he made up for it in spurts against Portugal, and played bad against the Germans, he has to be consistent for the team to progress in this tournament.  Hopefully he continues his pattern and plays well against Belgium.
•           Possesions: I can remember one key possession for the team, it was the very last play, when Phillip Lahm slid to stop a shot from Alejandro Bedoya. This shot should have been better, or this shot should have been made by whoever dished the ball to Bedoya.     
• \                  Key to the next round: It will be the toughest game the U.S have played all tournament, the attacking force of Belgium is strong with Eden Hazard and Romalu Lukaku, however they do tend to start off very slowly, and do not play like the should in this tournament, they gave a bad penalty against Algeria, and did not play well against Russia, a team that outplayed Belgium in the first half of that game. If Belgium continues to play the way they have, Howard plays the way he has all tournament, and we get some magic from Clint Dempsey, anything is possible.

U.S Portugal breakdown

After the 81^st minute of last night’s game against Portugal, it seemed that the U.S was going to sail into the knockout stages after two games. However a perfect ball from Cristiano Ronaldo stopped those thoughts and broke the hearts of every American watching the match, for now. Let’s break it down.

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•      The defense lack got to us: I knew at the beginning of the tournament our backline would be the weak point of the American team.  Geoff Cameron had a terrible clearance to allow the first goal by Nani, and the entire team was caught ball watching as the team failed to get back on defense and Cristiano Ronaldo delivered the perfect ball, if the U.S want to shock the world any more, these issues need to be addressed.

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•       Dominating the game: Despite those two defensive lapses, the U.S was the better team tonight, Portugal failed to get through the midfield most of the match, and the Portuguese defense without Coentrao and Pepe was very vulnerable.

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•       A goal of skill and a goal of heart: The first goal from Jermaine Jones will be on every highlight reel involving the tournament for the next week.  The ball came out to him outside of the box and it was beautifully struck to go into the goal, the next one came after Deandre Yedlin came barreling down the wing, crossed it to Michael Bradley, when Clint Dempsey gutted the ball into the net, it was a typical work hard goal from the Americans, showing that they can

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•                        The U.S have a great chance of making to the knockout stage: For the U.S to not advance, they have to lose to Germany, which to be fair is likely, however Ghana have to win their match by 2 or Portugal have to win their match by 5, both of which I do not see happening, so despite this I see both Germany and the U.S advancing to the next round.

World Cup Review Week 2

This world cup has been up and down for many teams this year.  It has had several upsets with plenty to talk about.

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•           How the mighty have fallen: 2 time defending European Champions Spain and the defending World Cup Champions Spain were eliminated with a whimper. After a 5-1 slaughter at the hands of the Dutch, the Spanish needed a win against up and coming South American team Chile.  Needing a win, Spain failed to deliver losing to Chile 2-0. This is an end of an era for Spain, many people thought that Spain would have one more big run in them, with this being their last big run. The national team will have a lot to think about as they go back to think about with the European championship coming in 2016, where the qualifying process start in September.

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•       England misses out on the knockout phase for the first time since the 50's: This seemed to be a surprise to no one, except me. Much of the blame has been put on Manchester United player Wayne Rooney, who missed several chances with both feet, and his head. However their back line also failed them.  Despite temporary sadness they have a young core, who will be back very soon.

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•       Costa Rica showing their muscles: What is England's loss is Costa Rica's gain. Costa Rica, from the widely considered weak federation, CONCACAF, has taken down two soccer powerhouses Uruguay and Italy, solidifying themselves in the Knockout stage of the tournament. On the same page this is a good opportunity for CONCACAF to prove themselves in this tournament. Two other CONCACAF teams Mexico and the U.S can advance to the knockout stage with a win in their upcoming matches.

U.S vs. Ghana Breakdown

                With a great start for the U.S with a goal from Clint Dempsey 34 seconds in, the U.S Mens National were riding high, with an injury to Jozy Altidore and a late winner from John Anthony Brooks, there is plenty to talk about.

·         Dempsey scores early

o   After receiving the ball on a throw in, the most famous member of the national team got on the board early, in one of the fastest goals in world cup history. Clint Dempsey took the ball in, and used his strength to get to goal, a trait that playing European Football for as long as he has will do for you. If the U.S are to do well, Clint Dempsey will have to be on top of his game.

·         Jozy Altidore Injury:

o   Im assuming the worst, that Jozy will not be returning for the tournament. Despite being in terrible form at Sunderland, he was starting to pick up steam after scoring two goals, or a brace, against Nigeria in a pre-cup warm up. Jozy brought speed and strength from the table, in fact Jozy had beaten the Ghana defender to the ball before he pulled up on his hamstring.

·         Michael Bradley

o   At the top of the diamond, Michael Bradley is supposed to Quarterback the U.S effort offensively. However he was very quiet today, he didn’t get the opportunity to move up in the attack, and was a big non-factor in this game. The U.S will need him to be more of a factor in the coming games.

·         Back Line (defense)

o   Matt Besler went out at halftime, I saw him grab his hamstring at the end of the half so that may be something that will be looked at in the coming days. At that second half the defense was tested  and brought to the brink, a great back heal to Andre Ayew resulted in the equalizing goal, they did have some holes in the defense tonight, holes that Cristiano Ronaldo with run through like the kool aid man.

·         The United States may just get through this group.

o   The U.S lost Jozy, but Portugal lost so much more.  Portugals two best options at Center Back will not be playing against the U.S on Sunday. Pepe was given a straight red card for headbutting Thomas Mueller, and Fabio Contreao went down with an injury. Along with Portugal Center Forward Hugo Almeida, Portugal will be coming into Sunday limping.

World Cup Wrap up: First Weekend

World Cup Weekend Wrap-Up

                The 2014 started with a bit a controversy with Referee Yuushi Nishimura giving Brazil a questionable penalty and disallowing a Croatian Goal down. Seeing how much controversy this cup has had leading up to the event, to start with controversy is only fitting.

·      CONCACAF is 2-1:

o   The federation, or conference, that the U.S is in has always gotten a lot of criticism for being weak. When the draw for groups happened a few people, myself included, did not give the CONCACAF teams a very good chance. However after Mexico had two goals disallowed Oribe Peralta broke the deadlock against Cameroon. The next day Costa Rica faced South American Powerhouse Uruguay. Despite Uruguay going up early on a converted penalty by Edinson Cavani, Costa Rica came back in the second half, with a goal and assist from Joel Campbell. The Little Federation That Could may be in for big things in this tournament.

·      The Netherlands are still here:

o   After a horrible Euro 2012 campaign, the Dutch came back in a big way to start off the 2014 World Cup, with a 5-1 mugging over defending European and World Champions, Spain. Robin Van Persie had a highlight reel header, and Arjen Robben ran past Sergio Ramos and made Iker Casillas look absolutely ridiculous it seems this team maybe a front runner.

·         Defending Champions Spain are down:

o   Despite Spain being trounced by Holland in the first match, they were the dominate force in the first half, they still have some of the best players in the world, and they are still the defending champions. Spain are like the San Antonio Spurs, they are an old team with a system. The system failed them in the second half, but it was on display in the first. Does the system need tweaking? Yes. Is the system broken? No, we will see Spain in the round of 16.

·         When you get up from a foul and continue playing, good things happen.

o   That is what we saw at the end of the Switzerland and Ecuador match, words don’t do it justice. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=intl:1883794&startTime=00:42

·         England have a lot of work to do

o   England took a hard lose to Italy on Saturday, despite providing the assist to Daniel Sturridge to tie the game at 1, Wayne Rooney will get much of the blame. Much of the blame must also go the the England back line, sitting back and letting Andrea Pirlo dictate the pace is not the best game plan.

World Cup Bracket Pedictions

World Cup Finals Predictions

After predicting the group phase yesterday, it’s time to tackle from the round of 16 on wards. With the U.S out many people unfortunately may not care that this is going on, however I can assure you that it will be an exciting time that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Brazil v. Chile:

No problems for Brazil here, going to be very tough for anyone to try to handle Neymar, Jo, Bernard, Oscar, Willian, and the rest of that dangerous team.

Winner: Brazil

Ivory Coast v England:

Tough match for both teams, lots of power up front with Drogba and Welbeck respectively. However England has a stronger backline, and a better keeper with Joe Hart.

Winner: England

France v. Bosnia:

Easy game for France, Dzecko will get some opportunities to score for the Bosnians, but they cant stop Karim Benzema from France.

Winner: France

Germany v. South Korea

After having a tough go against Russia, the South Koreans will be lucky to be here, the powerful talented Germans will show no mercy.

Winner: Germany

Spain v. Croatia

Luka Modric will get a chance to play many of his Real Madrid teammates when Croatia plays Spain, however that will be the only thing of note in this match.

Winner: Spain

Uruguay v. Japan

Japan will give Uruguay all they can handle, but Luis Suarez will have the last say.

Winner: Uruguay

Argentina v. Ecuador

Did I mention Argentina have Lionel Messi? That will be enough to get them through this match.

Winner: Argentina

Belgium v. Portugal

This is going to be a tough match for both sides, Belgium have a great team and Portugal have Christiano Ronaldo. In this game the man power of Belgium will go over Ronaldos glory.

Winner: Belgium

Brazil v. England

A match of two powerhouses, this has the potential to be a classic. If you put it down on paper, Brazil is better in every area of the field expect Goalkeeping. This could scare the host, and England could pull it out as an underdog, but the team does have some inconsistencies, and they are getting older. This one is going to be close, but the host will pull out in the end.

Winner: Brazil

France v. Germany

Riberys absence will catch up to the French here, plus the German back line can stop everything that will come at them.

Winner: Germany

Spain v. Uruguay

Scoring alone will not be enough for Uruguay here, Spain will make easy work of the Uruguay defense.

Winner: Spain

Argentina v. Belgium

Tough game to call, while it will be easy for some to say Argentina have Messi, and they will run over Belgium, however Belgium is strong at every position, including having one of the top young goalies in the world with Thibaut Courtious, Messi will be the best player on the field, but Belgium will be the best team.

Winner: Belgium

Brazil v. Germany:

What will be to many as the top 2 teams in the world, this match will come down to chances made, it seems to me that Brazil with Oscar and Neymar will create more chances then Ozil and Gotze, this is the match that the Germans will really miss Marco Reus as they will struggle in the midfield.

Winner: Brazil

Spain v. Belgium

Despite the need for Belgium to want to play well in every way, Spain will simply outclass them. With Costa and Torres upfront, Carzola and Fabregas in the midfield, and Pique and Ramos anchoring the defense, it will just be too much.

Winner: Spain

Brazil v. Spain

In the runback from last years confederations cup we will see much of the same from both sides, Spain will push a little harder, and Brazil may have a play of utter desperation, but in the end, the result will be the same

Winner: Brazil

2014 World Cup beginnig thoughts and group predicitons

With the World Cup in Brazil coming up, there’s plenty to talk about in regards to the tournament and who is and who is not going. On the heart of many people is how for the U.S Mens National Team will go, or if they can get out of their “Group of Death” which include two teams in the top ten, Germany and Portugal, and Ghana the country who eliminated them from the last two world cups. Other than U.S related stories we must talk about Brazil, the host country is one of the favorites with incredible talent and home field advantage. Up and coming Belgium, who is going through a “Golden Year” with who they will be bringing to the World Cup, defending champion Spain, as they go for the first repeat championship since 1962. We also have players who have been injured or cut from the program, such as Columbian Striker Radamel Falcao, the star striker will be missing the World Cup due to a serious Knee Injury, Falcao scored 5 goals in World Cup Qualifying.  French winger Frank Ribery who will miss due to a back injury, many consider Ribery the best in the world at his position. Belgiun Striker Christian Benteke will miss due to a Ruptured Achilles; last year for his Club Aston Villa he scored 10 goals in 26 appearances for his club Aston Villa, along with many other injuries. However despite losing them, the show will go on, here are my predictions on how the tournament will unfold.

Group A:

Brazil

Croatia

Mexico

Cameroon

Despite some nice talent for Cameroon with Former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto, and Barcelona player Alex Song, they seem more concerned about what the bonus will be, so much so the players would not board the plan until it was decided. Along with this is home favorites Brazil, Croatia led by Midfielder Luka Modric, and Mexico who despite being historically successful barley qualified for the tournament. I see Brazil advancing top of the group, with the home team holding strong and Croatia in second, beating Mexico for the third spot.  If Mexico had problems holding the Midfielders from Honduras and Costa Rica, they will have a bigger problem with Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic.

Winner: Brazil

Runner Up: Croatia

                Group B:

                Spain

                Netherlands

                Chile

                Australia

This group features the winner and the runner up from the 2010 world cup, Spain and the Netherlands, unfortunately the Netherlands will have the same team from the 2012 European Championships with the same exact problems, that team failed to advance out of the group. Spain is the defending World Cup and European Championships, with the addition of Diego Costa for more scoring they will be a dangerous team. With the Netherlands falling off I have Chile advancing out of the group, Alexis Sanchez or Barcelona is a wonderful striker, and fans will get to see one of the reasons Juventus is an Italian powerhouse when Midfielder Arturo Vidal takes the field. They will get Chile through the group.

Winner: Spain

Runner Up: Chile

               
                Group C:

                Columbia

                Ivory Coast

                Greece

                Japan

Ivory Coast is the African Powerhouse. Manchester City Midfielder Yaya Toure had a fantastic season while the team won the English Premier League, Dider Drogba and Wilfred Bony have become some of the best strikers in the world and have a cast of stars around them such as Roma striker Gervinho and Yayas brother Kolo. Without Falcao I see this world cup group being very tough for Columbia, and sharing the group with Japan, a team with creative midfielders Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, along with players from the very strong J. League this is a team to be reckoned with.

Winner: Ivory Coast

Runner-Up: Japan

              
                Group D:

                Uruguay

                Costa Rica

                England

                Italy

Uruguay has Luis Suarez, he has bitten people several times in a game, and swatted a ball out of the year during the last World Cup, but he is one of the best strikers in the world. They also have Deigo Forlan and Edison Cavani, two very powerful strikers. Then we have England and Italy two European powerhouses that will compete for this group. Whoever wins between England and Italy will be the runner up seeing that Uruguay just have to many options up front.  I think England all around is just a better team, while they are very talented upfront, on defense it will be tough for Italy to stop Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, and Danny Welbeck. Despite their best efforts, Costa Rica will struggle.

Winner Uruguay

Runner Up: England

               
                Group E:

                Switzerland

                Ecuador

                France

                Honduras

Switzerland is the number 6 team in the world, and they have talented midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri from Bayern Munich, and another group of players that led them to breeze through there World Cup Qualifying group. However they are also in the group with France and Ecuador, two teams with a lot of talent. Despite France losing Ribery, they still have top strikers Karim Benzema and Oliver Giroud, along with talented young midfielder Paul Pogba. Ecuador’s captain Antonio Valencia plays for English Powerhouse Manchester United, and they have talented players playing in Europe and South America. That being said, the Swiss along with Honduras will have a tough time in this group, seeing that France will match up better against Ecuador. I see that as the championship game in this group.

Winner: France

Runner Up: Ecuador

               
                Group F:

                Argentina

                Bosnia and Herzegovina

                Iran

                Nigeria

 Iran and Nigeria are going to struggle mightily, Argentina have some guy name Lionel Messi. I don’t think I need to say anything else. However I will say that Messi will not have to do it by himself, Sergio Aguero will be another striker up front who will shine, Angel Di Maria is one of the best passers in the world, and he will be passing the ball to Messi and Aguero. Also Manchester City Stalwarts Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis they will be a team that will be very dangerous in Brazil. Bosnia will be the runner up with Edin Dzecko and Vedad Ibisevic having an easy time scoring against Iran and Nigeria.

Winner: Argentina

Runner-Up: Bosnia and Herzegovina

               
                Group G:

                Germany

                Portugal

                U.S.

                Ghana

The U.S obviously got the short end of the straw qualifying for this group. Germany is a powerhouse and Portugal has some guy and Cristiano Ronaldo. Germany is going to win this group, the winner of the U.S Portugal match will get the runner-up.  Now as bullish as I have been about the U.S tying Portugal when I sit down and think with my head all I see is Ronaldo going at there and having his way with our makeshift backline.

Winner: Germany

As much as it pains me to say it

Runner-Up: Portugal

            
                Group H:

                Belgium

                Algeria

                Russia

                South Korea

Belgium is going to be a tough team to beat, the have strong striker Romelu Lukaku, the very crafy Eden Hazard, and very strong defender Vincent Kompany, and that is just scraping the surface. Russia and South Korea are known to play very well, they are even on paper and it will be very tight for this position. In the end South Korea will score just a bit more the Russia.

Winner: Belgium

Runner-Up: South Korea