World Cup

[couch 'em]

Something is qrong qith a game where a country of 300 million loses to Ghana, a country of 24 million and a GDP per capita of $3500.

[mustangbill67]

In WC soccer, little eats big quite often. Every game is a challenge because if the ball does not go in the net you are screwed no matter how good you are.

[Mustangsabu]

Something is qrong qith a game where a country of 300 million loses to Ghana, a country of 24 million and a GDP per capita of $3500.

It's because soccer success cannot be bought or physically stereotyped.

[PonySnob]

Please no Brazil.

Who isn't a fan of the Brazilian?

[EastStang]

Are any current or former SMU players on any of the teams in the tournament?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Are any current or former SMU players on any of the teams in the tournament?

Not currently.

Ramon Nunez, who played one season for us in 2003, had been a regular on the Honduras team but hasn't featured for them since summer 2011 after turning down a call up to focus on his club career.

[smusic 00]

In WC soccer, little eats big quite often. Every game is a challenge because if the ball does not go in the net you are screwed no matter how good you are.

Yeah, that's why soccer can be such a great game. It can change in an instant.

[JasonB]

All of this talk of Messi and Ronaldo. I'll take Uruguay and the next best player in the world, Suarez. Brazil is obviously the favorite. Argentina should be, but nobody trusts Messi on the international stage. Suarez is the one player on those teams who can physically dominate any opponent and break open a tight game, just ahead of Neymar. Belgium has the luck of the draw to go with, and they are a good team, but I don't think a European side will win.

As for the US, we always struggle with Ghana because we aren't technical enough to break them down and while we rely on athleticism to break down Concacaf teams, Ghana is more athletic than we are.

That said, this is easily the most technical US side. We can break them down, but can't hold a clean sheet. I think probably 50% chance of a draw, but Ghana has more of a chance of winning unless Dempsey and Donovan are both 100% healthy and on their games.

Portugal is a tough matchup not only because of Ronaldo, but also for revenge for us knocking their golden team out in 2002.

The US at their best can beat any of the teams in the group, including Germany. That said, for the US to advance, Dempsey and Donovan have to be healthy, Altidore needs to take a step forward the second half of the EPL season, Zuzi has to take another step forward, Cherundolo has to be healthy, Biesler and Omar have to take another step forward. The biggest factors may be Geoff Cameron and Stuart Holden. Holden, when healthy, gives the US a wonderful, world class compliment in the central midfield to Bradley. But there is only a 10% chance of that happening for the world cup. Cameron is having a fantastic season at Stoke City and is someone who could play center back or central midfield at the highest level if given the chance.

[Digetydog]

Something is qrong qith a game where a country of 300 million loses to Ghana, a country of 24 million and a GDP per capita of $3500.

The genius of soccer is that you really only need a ball and some relatively flat land. Everything else (including shoes, shin pads, a real goal) is a luxury. If only 1-2M people in the "Big Country" who are focused on soccer, there are a lot of smaller countries with a statistical advantage over the Big Country. Indeed, two of the biggest countries (India and China) have pedestrian national teams.

Look at American Football, I would bet money that an all-star team from Mississippi would beat an all-star team from NY most of the time.

BTW - One of my favorite memories was watching a World Cup match with my father in the Cotton Bowl.

[Digetydog]

Please no Brazil.

Who isn't a fan of the Brazilian?

The Spa worker who has to give one to a 400lb'er.

[StallionsModelT]

I think we get out of the group stage along with Germany. After that then we're done. I feel better about this team than the one in 2010, but this is also a tougher group. I think we can get the job done. England is in the same boat.

[Dark Horse]

Why isn't Messi "trusted on the international stage"? Isn't he the best player in the world?

[Mustangs_Maroons]

Messi will perform well this year. He's right in the prime age of performing at the WC. The level of expectations he has for Argentina are the same as for him at Barca, but the reality is Argentina is not nearly as good as Barca. Argentina also doesn't have a good defense and a lousy goalkeeper. Messi has to try to do more. That said, I think Argentina makes it to the semis this year. Out of the top teams, I think they have the easiest path to the semis.

[StallionsModelT]

Messi isn't given the freedom to express himself for Argentina the way he is able to do at Barca. Barca's midfield is sick and allow Messi the time and space to do his thing. Argentina doesn't have that kind of talent.