Brazil 2 - USA 0

Another disappointment for the US National team. A few changes were made to the starting line-up since the World Cup by coach Bob Bradley, including the addition of a few new players, but overall their line-up was like any other they would dress for a world-class match.

And surprise, surprise... There were 2 more goals called back by the referees. Brazil's was when Pato scored and ran through Tim Howard, and the USA's was when Michael Bradley was, you guessed it, offsides.

Brazil had a generally inexperienced team, but were still able to run circles around the US. Defenders were split, USA attacks were short, and the only thing more disappointing was the 77,000-plus crowd that showed up to watch the home team get nothing.

Maradona Part Deux

The Argentina Football Association just announced that it will extend international manager Diego Maradona's contract through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Say what you want about Maradona as a coach, but for the World Cup, there couldn't be a better coach. Not even his players are as excited as he is when they score a goal. And as far as calling German striker Thomas Muller a ball boy, and asking veteran midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger if he was nervous to play Argentina, those are just great moves. No team wants to deal with the pressures of carrying an entire nation on there back, and Maradona did a great job to shift the focus onto himself, while his team went to work.

By the way, is that Joe Torre wearing the giant Diego Maradona face hat?

Running With The Bulls

As if France's football reputation couldn't fall any further, Thierry Henry will pack up his things and move from Europe to the States, to play for the New York Red Bulls of the MLS.

The only details known of the contract so far are that it will be a multi-year deal, and his debut will be July 22, 2010 for an exhibition vs Tottenham of the English Premier League.

"I am fully aware of the team's history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship," said Henry when asked about his future.

To their credit, the Energy Drinks have had players such as Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore, Alexis Lalas, and Michael Bradley, and Eddie Pope, all USA standouts, as well at Howard being one of the top keepers in the Premier League. The team's average attendance has been slowly slipping, and was down to just over 12,000 a game last year, less than half the capacity at Red Bull Arena. Then again, the Red Bulls are out of Harrison, New Jersey, so that makes sense.

As for Henry's future, I really don't think that he will be able to do much in Jersey. He is 32 years old, and was part of the most embarrassing shenanigans to happen in soccer in recent memory with the French National team. Sure, he'll razzle-dazzle a few defenders here and there, but ultimately, he will be an even bigger dud than David Beckham in LA.

Germany vs Spain

An unstoppable force meets an immovable object in Durban today. Germany takes on Spain for the last spot in the World Cup Final. David Villa will look to score in his fifth straight game. Germany will have to step up their offense with the suspension of Thomas Muller, and we will see if Gollum can find the Ring of Power.

It will be an absolute battle for 90 minutes, if not 120. I see this one going into penalty kicks, with Spain walking away victorious.

South Africa: Pool B

Pool B is next up. Led by one of the strongest teams in the field of 32, this pool could turn out to be interesting.

Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

Argentina is my personal favorite for the Cup at the moment. First of all, they're led by their head coach Diego Maradona, I'm not sure if anyone has really heard of him... They haven't won it since 1986, but after making the quarterfinals in 2006 and winning the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008, I think they're an even better team for South Africa. Up top, they have one of the world's biggest stars in Lionel Messi (44 caps, 13 goals) as well as Carlos Tevez (52, 9). At the midfield, Liverpool teammates Javier Mascherano (57, 2) and Maxi Rodriguez (36, 12) anchor the corps. Mascherano has also been named captain for the Cup this year. Also for the first time since 1994, Javier Zanetti will not wear the light blue and white stripes on the pitch with his countrymen. But with a still veteran defense corps, I think Argentina will be not only one of the toughest teams to score against, but one of the toughest to stop.

South Korea has not made it out of the first round with the exception of 2002, when it was held on their home turf. I don't expect them to give anyone much trouble this time around, either. Nigeria will be playing in just their fourth World Cup, on their native continent, but they have been slipping since their 9th place finish in 1994.

Now, Greece hasn't qualified since 1994, when they lost all 3 matches in the first round, failing to score a goal. In 2004, they were victorious in the EUFA Euro Cup. Most of their current squad plays in one of Greece's football leagues, but there are a few names who will step up and try to prove themselves to the world. Angelos Charisteas has the second most caps with 83, and is the squad's leading scorer with 24 goals. He will play alongside fellow striker Theofanis Gekas (47, 20). At midfield, and leading this Greek team will be Giorgos Karagounis (92, 6). They may not look like much, but I think Greece is still a team on the rise who will surprise people.

There's no doubt in my mind that Argentina will steamroll this pool. Nigeria may get a win here, with the help of the home crowd, and Greece will have to step up on offense, which has been lacking in the past, and if they do, I think it will be their goal differential that will push them through with Argentina to the Round of 16.

Wow

NIKE WRITE THE FUTURE - FULL LENGTH VERSION @ Yahoo! Video

If those 3 minutes don't get you pumped up for the World Cup, I don't know what will. 20 more days of waiting til South Africa 2010. In the next few weeks, I'll be blogging on who I think will come out of the pools, as well as other stuff surrounding the Cup.

Go World.

You Need These...

This blog is way too small time for plugs and advertisements, but I figure it really can't hurt to throw a few words out.

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