USA Soccer Advances in the Most Dramatic Fashion

If you wanted to increase fan interest in US Soccer, you couldn’t have drawn up a more perfect group stage round. The nation is now captivated. Most soccer people assumed the US would advance out of their group, however every game for the US has been drama, controversy and more drama. Since they’ve scored one more group goal then England, they’re luckily paired with, Uruguay, Korea, and Ghana, instead of Argentina, Mexico and Germany. The US will play Ghana next, and I actually know a lot about Ghana since most of their players have Serie A connections. I’ll tell you, they have more talent than the US. However this US team has everything going their way at the moment and their path to the semifinals has couldn’t be better.

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USA vs. Algeria, who will Advance?

It will be a wild day at the World Cup. Heading into the final group stage game, all four members of the USA’s group have a chance to advance. The USA vs. Algeria game will be played at the same time as England vs. Slovenia. The USA will advance with a win, but will only advance on a tie if England ties or loses. I fully expect England to win, so the US will have to win too. However Algeria needs a win to have a chance to advance, therefore they’ll be playing all out, which could help the USA’s counter attack. With a win the US could win the group, but really all that matters is making it to the round of 16. I don’t think Algeria should be taken lightly they play a style very similar to the US, and it could be a back and forth game.

USA Soccer has a Golden Opportunity

For the time in history, the USA will have more talent then two of their World Cup Group opponents. Their opportunity is now, starting today at 10:00 against Slovenia, and again on the 23rd against Algeria. If they can win both of these games, they’ll get an unprecedented amount of fanfare. Of course a win is not a given. The USA still lacks the midfield and defensive players, capable of holding possession and setting up attacks. They depend too much on the counter attack for their offense. This makes them both dangerous against the top teams and susceptible against weaker teams. With that said, if they finish their group with 2 wins, and tie vs. England, fan interest will be through the roof. The England game meant nothing, the key since the schedule came out was today’s game.

NBA Finals Will Cap a Marquee Day for Sports

It’s hard to believe so many big events are going on in the sports world tomorrow. The US Open tees off at Pebble Beach tomorrow with Tiger & Phil in the field. The second round of the World Cup’s group stage is taking place. Closer to home we’ll probably see Pedro Alverez’s second game in a Pirates uniform. I know most Pirate fans are intrigued to see if he can change things around or if the train wreck of a season will continue. Finally the night wraps up with game seven of the NBA Finals, as either Boston or LA will win the Championship. Yes, they’re still playing basketball. I’m not sure how many local guys follow the NBA but either way game sevens are almost always memorable.

2010 World Cup South Africa Preview

It's hard to make any predictions about the 2010 World Cup. I can see a weakness in every squad. I think Spain, Brazil, England, France, Italy, Germany, Argentina, and Netherlands are by far the eight best teams. So much so that if those 8 nations bought another 23 man team, they'll still be favorites. However for the last 50 plus years, European teams win when playing in Europe, and South America teams win, when playing outside of Europe. Actually I don't think a European Team has won it, out side of Europe.

The thing about soccer is the margin of victory is so slim. Therefore it allows for many upsets. A clearly superior team might get 9 good opportunities in a game, while their less talented opponents might get 3. However add a bit of luck and what happens with those few chances determine a game. Also FIFA seems more likely to give out cards, and if you team goes down a man, the chance of victory goes with it.

The World Cup is in South Africa, so I’m not going to be surprised if an African nation reaches the semis. For years people have been saying this could be the year an African teams breaks though. However no one is showing too much faith in any of African nations in 2010. Those teams have greatly improved over the last 25 years, but many other countries have improved even more. I will not be surprised if there are a ton of upsets, or if controvesry rules the tournament. All through the past year I was thinking of picking England, because I thought they were due to win, but I think Brazil has best defense so I’m going with them.

I'm just excited to see all the teams play. Will Argentina's defense be good enough? Can Italy recapture their form. What crazy thing will happen in an England game. How will teams try to stop Spain? Who will be the sleeper team and player? It should make for some of the greatest sports theater ever seen.

Italy (2) could win the World Cup

If the World Cup was like Olympic bobsled, and each country could have multiple entries, it would really be interesting. Really what separates the best countries from the rest is the quality of player they leave at home. Italy's second roster would have one of best attacks in the world, and would have to be considered an outside contender if this team was in the tournament. Certainly they would pose a real threat to the current Italian Squad and everyone of these guys would probably start for the US. Here is who I would start in 4-2-3-1 system for team Italy(2).

Borriello/Balotelli
Rossi - Cassano/Totti/Cossu - Miccoli
Nocerino - Aquilani
Antonini/Molinaro-Barzagli-Cannavaro-Cassani
Amelia/Sirigu

I like Balotelli's ability/speed to open up the field, but Borriello can score inside the box. I'd probably start Borriello and leave Balotelli as my ace in the hole for a goal in the 2nd. Just behind them you would have the super dynamic Miccoli, Rossi is great shooter, and of course Cassano can distribute. I'm still not sure about Cassano for 90 mins, but Totti could fill his role or the role of any attacker. I'm a little worried about defense or lack there of from the front four.

Behind the attackers you need some type of muscle, that why I'm going with Nocerino. Aquilani might be a little better served up the field, but I need to get his talent on the field. Candreva would be an option too, Ambrosini and Brighti add defense and veteran leadership.

If you wanted to go defensive you could bring a defensive midfielder like an Ambrosini, Brighi, or Abate for one of the attackers. If you wanted to add even more defense, bring on wingback like Molinaro or De Silvestri to play in a defensive midfield role

As for the defense, let me admit it's probably not the best in the world, but it has some more than capable players. I like what Antonini brought to Milan this season, and add the vertern Grosso to the mix to complete the left. On the right I like Cassani, who had a wonderful season a Palermo. Barzagli has been great in Germany, and I don't many people we argue that best Cannavaro brother currently is the younger.

As for the goalies, none are elite, but all would start for at least half the World Cup teams.

Complete Roster: (age)

F - Alessandro Matri (25), Amauri (29), Marco Borriello (27), Francesco Totti (33) Mario Balotelli (20)

M - Andrea Cossu (30), Alberto Aquilani (25), Antonio Candreva (23), Massimo Ambrosini (33), Ignazio Abate (23) MatteoBrighi (29) Antonio Nocerino (25) Andrea Poli (20)

D - Mattia Cassani (26), Fabio Grosso (32), Andrea Barzagli(29), Luca Antonini (27) Lorenzo De Silvestri (22) Paolo Cannavaro (28) Cristian Molinaro (26)

G - Christian Abbiati(32), Salvatore Sirigu(23) Marco Amelia(28)

The rest of the roster has a couple great target men in Marti and Amauri. Poli has been one of the best young players in Europe this pass season and Cossu can also provide creativity. My only concern is lack of depth at centerback, but I think Cassani could move in if needed.

Remember there are a couple of other guys like Staton and Ranocchia who can't play do to injury. Also if Nesta wanted to return to international football, he would be included if Lippi didn't take him frist.

What do you think of Italy (2)

Hope Solo leads US into World Cup Semifinals

Wake-up early with Hope Solo & the US Women's Soccer Team

The US Women's World Cup soccer team is one win a way from the finals. They play Brazil, tomorrow in the semi-finals, and you should get up early to watch the game if only because #18 Hope Solo is playing in it.

Hope could be the big star, or at least the center of attention if the women win it all this weekend.
The US has a ton of talented ladies, and are looking to bring back the Cup. They now stand 2 wins a way from making it ours.

GO USA!!!

***UPDATE*** Shockingly US head coach Greg Ryan (soon to fired, lets hope) decieded not to start Solo after 3 striaght shutouts, the USA lost today 4-0.