South Africa: Pool D

Gotta' be honest here, with the exception of Germany and maybe Netherlands, in the next two pools, I'm not really too sure or concerned with who else is going to move on. But I'm gonna give you my opinions anyway, and hopefully you like them. If not, then that's cool too, you bastards. Pool D. Germany will own. It's Serbia's first year of competing without Montenegro. And in my mind its a toss-up between Australia and Ghana, but with Ghana taking a serious hit from the absence of Michael Essien, I'm not so confident in how they'll fare.

Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Since 1954, the first year they won the Cup, Germany has exited in the second round once, the quarterfinals three times, and the other seven appearances with at least a 4th place finish. Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski (72 caps, 37 goals) will attack alongside Miroslav Klose (95, 48) whom would prove formidable against any defense in the world. Klose's teammate on Bayern Munich, Bastian Schweinsteiger (74, 19) is Germany's third leading international scorer who will hit the pitch alongside a very young midfield corps. DF Philipp Lahm (64,3) has assumed the role of captain in the stead of injured FW Michael Ballack, and will lead a veteran defensive unit that features four players with over 30 caps. The Germans came in a tough third place in the last World Cup, after finishing as the runners-up in 2002.

The Socceroos are always an interesting team to take a look at. This will be their third World Cup appearance all-time, with last year's exit coming in the Round of 16. They're a more experienced team, with the average age being 28 years old. Captain DF Lucas Neill (54,0) will lead the defense, against some quick and strong attacks in this pool. Controlling the ball at midfield will be key in these matchups, and with players like Brett Emerton (72, 17), leading goal scorer Tim Cahill (38, 19) and Marco Bresciano (53, 11), Australia has put themselves in a solid position. Australia seems to be lacking in their attack, but they are a determined team who plan on jumping on the back of veteran striker Harry Kewell (45, 13).


This pool will provide for the most interesting uninteresting games in the Cup. Of course, that's my opinion, and it's all just on paper right now. Serbia has some good players, but I just don't think they'll be able to pull it together on the world's biggest stage.

South Africa: Pool C

I'm probably the most excited to see how this pool plays out. Got out countrymen going out against the darkhorse of the tournament in England, and two countries that I don't really see playing any sort of factor.

England
United States
Algeria
Slovenia

England has not won the Cup since 1966, but have advanced to the quarterfinals in 2002 and 2006. They will be lead by not only their captain DF Rio Ferdinand (78 caps, 3 goals) and their vice-captain MF Steven Gerrard (80, 16), but with several other strong players in their 23-man roster. World-renown striker Wayne Rooney (60, 25) has received much speculation on the health of his ankle, his knee and his groin, but assures the world he will be 100% in South Africa. He will lead the offense alongside Tottenham teammates Peter Crouch (38, 21) and Jermain Defoe (39, 11). At midfield behind Gerrard are Chelsea teammates Frank Lampard (78, 20) and Joe Cole (54, 10), as well as Manchester United standout Michael Carrick (22, 0).

The England defensive unit is led by some of the biggest names in the Premier League: Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Jamie Carragher, and Stephen Warnock.

For the United States, they're looking to make this a big year. Captained by Carlos Bocanegra (78, 12), they're a team with a lot of talent and even more heart. GK Tim Howard is one of the biggest team leaders. He has admitted that he is understandably nervous but assures his teammates and his country that his knowledge of the Premier League will come in handy.

20-year-old Jozy Altidore (25, 9) will leader the fowards for USA, and behind him will be the team's second and third leading international goal scorers in Clint Dempsey (61, 18) and DaMarcus Beasley (91, 17). Defensive powerhouse Oguchi Onyewu (53, 5) will look to shut down not only England's immense scoring threat, but will look to secure solid wins against Algeria and Slovenia.


Whenever I play FIFA, and I'm picking an International team, it's either Argentina or England. England is just such a strong team, they're hard to not pick. Early in the year, when I heard that England was playing the US, I initially told my friends I was rooting for England, because I thought the US was going to just roll over and die. I think they have the drive and the talent to be extremely successful. They do have a huge hurdle to jump over, but even if they lose, all they have to do is keep the game close, and it will give them invaluable confidence. I just hope Wayne Rooney isn't out to stomp on anyone's nuts this time around...

Go USA. Go World.

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.