World Cup 2010

THE WORLD CUP IS HERE!!!!

Well, almost...

It was the World Cup 2006 that first got me into soccer. My friend Thadd is a hugs soccer fan having played when he was a youngster and had been following the world game for some time. So it was good to have someone to watch with who could explain the goings on to someone like me. I had enjoyed a match or two here and there, but now I was really starting to get it.

It also helped that we had three TVs in my living room at the time so we could watch two games at once...at least I recall in the group stages they would overlap every now and then. I also remember we (Me, Thadd and our friend Chris) started a post-rock band during these games. Specifically, out first rehearsal was during the France v. South Korea match in round 2. It was pretty good even though the French won. Boo. AND we watched France beat Brazil in Thadd's Aunt's basement as we were resting up from a show the night before in Dayton, Ohio.

What a summer.

So this year I'll have to watch most of the games myself, though I might be able to convince my dad to watch here and there. He gets bored. And I can understand why, it takes patience and endurance to get through all the mucking about in midfield before the faster action starts around the 18 yard box. he does like watching goals, shoot-outs and free-kicks. He's a hugs sports fan so he can appreciate the talent and abilities of the players as well as the impact of such a things as the World Cup.

So we'll see. My bro-in-law might be up for some games too. Oh! and I recently found and Irish pub in Allen that will be showing all the matches, live AND recorded.

So the biggest bummer (though not really) is that I won't be able to watch the opening few matches live, including the much hyped England vs. US. I'll be in North Africa on a mission trip! (i have another blog you can click on over there for more info on that). But I'll be back in the country to watch most of the tournament, hust not the opening weekend. Though, I wonder what it will be like over there for the stars of things...maybe the locals will be really into it, too!

Anyhoo, I won't waste space going over all the predictions and things...it's almost pointless. But I'll just let you know who I'm rooting for (and against).

United States: Naturally, I'll pull for the US to do well. I think they'll go forth from the group stage just fine and any win after that will just be gravy. I'm thinking maybe a split with England in thier two matches? That'll be fine.

England: I consider England to be the Dallas Cowboys of international soccer, but without the Championships.

First, Their fans unrealistically expect them to win all the time and they don't. They can't. They don't have the chemistry and are too top loaded with superstars and egos. Not to mention all the social and economic reason why they are fading away (i use that term lightly cuz I'm not sure what they're fading away from?).

Second, like Tony Romo, they have some sort of unrealistic sense of accomplishment. Granted, most of the players play on some of the biggest clubs: Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, etc...but I hate to tell you guys, this isn't club football anymore. As awesome as the Premeir League is, you're not playing against Stoke and Hull City anymore...you're playing against the best in the world (who also play for the big clubs; either your own or the ones that knock you our of the champions league like Barcalona, Bayern Munich and Inter). Fergie isn't your manager here, by the way...

Third, England may claim that they "invented" soccer...and that may be true....but countries like Italy, Spain, Brazil and tiny little African nations are the ones that have developed superior styles of play. Have you seen the way Italy passes the ball? So crisp and clean, not all this lobbing and drop-kicking up and down the field. And have you seen how creative teams like Brazil and Argentina are once they get into goal? I know, I know, you've got your "tradition" and "gentlemanly" English way of doing things. But you're down five goals to nil at half-time. Stop whining and step up your game.

Fourth, some of these other countries are just more passionate. Is it any wonder that the Australian fans' enthusiasm for the Socceroos helped propel them through the world cup? I expect a strong showing from these 'mates (even though I don't like 'em much) along with the New Zealanders, too. England fans are like Cowboys and Yankees fans: "Oh, you made it to the playoffs? It's a failure unless you win the whole thing EVERY YEAR!!!"

Compared to just about every country, England will not be satisfied with another good showing (though they have a good showing in almost every world cup). Just compare them to the US. If the US gets through to round two, everyone will be ecstatic because the sport in the US is on its way UP!

Either way, the Premier League is cool, and I like most of the England players. It is fun to watch Rooney score goals with that balding head of his. It's also fun to watch him cry to the refs when he stubs his little toesies!

Brazil: The most fun team to watch. They play the game like it is: a GAME. Smiling from ear to ear, showing off fancy tricks and skills and creating distinctive scoring opportunities left and right. I'm disappointed Ronaldinho didn't make the cut. i know he's past his prime, but he adds so much in terms of experience and joy. Not to mention what he could teach the younger players, who most likely look up to him and would follow his example. Unless by some miracle the US do a whole lot better than expected, I'm pulling for Brazil to win it all.

Argentina: It seems they are poised to make a deep run. The combo of Messi and Tevez could translate into a mountain of goals.

Germany: I heard a quote from an old English manager about soccer: "[soccer] is a bunch of boys running after the ball for 90 minutes and in the end, Germany wins." The Germans always go deep in the world cup, but someone needs to step up in the absence of Michael Ballack.

Spain: Keep and eye on Torres. They'll most likely want to redeem themselves after the shocking loss to the US in the Confederations Cup.

Netherlands: Supposedly this in van Persie's last Cup. Hopefully the lads in orange can send him off on a high note.

Africas: Lots of team from Africa this year that could step it up a notch defending their "home" turf. South Africa probably won't go far, but with a myriad of world class players, teams like Ghana, Cameroon and Ivory Coast could be surprising underdogs.

South Korea: They had a pretty good showing four years ago, and they might turn some heads this go-round. They're in a relatively weak group with Nigeria and Greece, so unless something surprising happens they could go deep. Like the US, their national team is on it's way up, just don't confuse them with North Korea!

Teams to root against:

Portugal: Christiano Ronaldo= just...no no no no no no no no!

North Korea: Do I really have to explain this one?

France: The French have always been pokey. They've got talented players, but for whatever reason they always seem like jerks. Henry, Zidane, Ribery (though he's shown some character in the Champions League)... and this time they only got in through that infamous handball game. At least Henry came clean about it, but they shouldn't even be here.

Australia: They're on the up and up like US and S Korea, but something about 'em rubs me the wrong way. Kinda like Brett Favre...nothing against 'em, just....meh. I don't really like how they switch confederations, but New Zealand is probably thanking them for that.

Italy: The main reason I don't want them to win is because they won in 06. Other than that, they did have that huge cheating scandal in their domestic league, but the national team plays the game well.

Of course, there are lots of other countries that will be fun to watch, maybe pull an upset or two. It will be most interesting to see which underdog actually makes it through to round 2. Spunky Mexico? Pesky Switzerland? How about Chile or Honduras? Or former cup winners and 70s powerhouse Uruguay? Hopefully there will be some surprises and many great matches to remember for years to come!