There is a circle of people that believe that the modern day footballer is forced to play too much. I could see that argument. After some grueling domestic play in Europe and South America it seems that every summer there is a FIFA tourney popping its head up. We've had the World Cup, Copa America and the Gold Cup in the most recent summers (winters depending on where you live). Now it's the turn of the Euros and the Copa América Centenarío. From a fans standpoint this is magnificent, more football for us but as a player, yes it is another crack at glory but it has to be a little tiring. That being said I think the likes of Edison Cavani and Lionel Messi won't mind the extra lactic acid in the muscles if that means they lift Copa this June. Admittedly I dropped the ball the on previewing the Copa so far the sake of time and to avoid awkwardly overloaded sentences I just want to dive straight into the group previews. Here is a little info on the tournament because it is a special even. This cup is a clash between COMNEBOL and CONCACAF sides that's being hosted in the States. It shares the typical FIFA formatting, four groups containing four sides a piece, top two sides advance from the group. All ten CONMEBOL teams will participate while on the CONCACAF side of the equation basically the better teams in last year's Gold Cup will be attending. So let's get Group A analysis underway. Group A United States Colombia Costa Rica Paraguay USA
For me Jürgen Klinsmann tenure as United States head coach has been nothing special. Sure acquisition of the Gold Cup in 2013 should be marked has an accomplishment but I think a kid who is good at Sports Interactive's highly popular gaming series Football Manager could take charge of the USA and achieve the same feat. The United States national for me is more about Klinnsman and the decisions he makes than the actual players right now. You've got what you got with Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey so I'm not worried about that but Klinnsman as a coach has a big asterisk for me. The omission of Landon Donovan from the last World Cup was strange to me especially when he was still able to produce. What really made me tentatively climb off the Klinsmann caboose was when his American troops got dumped by Jamaica in the last Gold Cup in the semi finals. This isn't a knock against the rest of CONCACAF but really they have no business troubling Mexico and the States. Simply put, that loss to a Jamaican squad packed filled with virtually Englishmen who you would think had no real cohesion was a disgrace. The German has been average for me like I said before but he has had some good ideas and his policy on giving young players a chance (Bobby Wood & DeAndre Yedlin I'm looking at you) to play is refreshing. Something that can't be said about his predecessors Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley. In my eyes this has to Klinsman's defining moment. It's unfortunate that I had to make this preview of the United States chances at the Copa about him but that's how I see the US national team right now. For the tournament coach Klinnsman has called up a pretty solid but young team. He's declared that Brad Guzan currently of Aston Villa will man the sticks over Tim Howard who has had a wonky season for his former side Everton. The back line is a concern. Outside of Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin I am not impressed, I just don't think Matt Besler and John Brooks are the towers of powers anybody should look for at the back. In midfield the usual suspects of Bradley, Beckerman, Jermaine Jones and converted winger Fabian Johnson will be running around but a nice surprise in Christian Pulisic was added to the mix to provide dynamism. The US will be without Jozy Altidore and Aron Johannsson through injury so Bobby Wood and Gynasi Zardes will be given a run out but it be all about the withdrawn forward Clint Dempsey. America's chances on home soil in this tournament are up in the air given the group they have landed in but as in recent years they have been dealt a difficult groups in FIFA events before. I can barely call it and I know pundits and fans can't either. Key Man- Clint Dempsey stated he would rather play behind a main striker and that's where he feels he is at his best. I absolutely agree. When I picture Clint I see as a wonderful surprise for the opposition rather than an unstoppable force. I hope who he is paired with it will only play to his strengths. Colombia
I don't really know what to say here about "Los Cafeteros." They had a pretty poor Copa America where they finished third in the group phase behind Brazil and Peru. They scored one goal in that tournament and their superstar James Rodríguez failed to delight then and in this past season for Real Madrid he has been marginal both in the team and in his performances. The crazy thing is when you look at the four sides in this group Colombia seems to be the most capable of putting teams to the sword. José Pékerman's side is laced with extraordinary talent but something is a little off! The problem the Argentine is facing is that most of his star names have had spotty seasons and consistency has alluded his most trusted charges. Juan Cuadrado of Juventus started only 16 times in the last Serie A campaign. While down in Milan Cristian Zapata, Pékerman's most reliable defender has only racked up 14 starting appearances in the league for AC Milan. His teammate Carlos Bacca has had a better go of it starting well over 30 games with an 18 goal tally in Serie A which is good but I and the rest of the world is looking for the return of Sevilla's Carlos Bacca who electrified and was a absolute terror. Speaking of terror that is how one could describes Arsenal's David Ospina's previous season. The goalkeeper just made four appearances in what had to be a frustrating time. So I think Pekerman's greatest challenge is to revitalize his flat stars and get them feeling important again. He does that and a Copa could be for the taking. Key Man- James Rodríguez I did mention had a torrid season. He has to prove to himself. It was not easy at Real Madrid and this tournament offers the opportunity to forget. Just exactly what he needs. Costa Rica
It's funny how my friend came into my room used my computer and erased everything I had actually written about Costa Rica. I was initially mad because I gave a glowing review of Costa Rican goalie Keylor Navas and how he will singlehandedly make save his nations fortunes and how Costa Rica has come to a watershed moment. It was real riveting stuff! Come to find he actually did me a favor because Sr. Navas has been ruled out of the tourney due to tendinitis in one of his legs and his club side Real Madrid has pumped the brakes on his participation in the competition. That being said I don't believe Costa Rica will go very far in this event now. Celso Borges, Álvaro Saborío, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will have to somehow ramp up goal production if they are to have any chance here. "Los Ticos," had a surprisingly good World Cup and played everyone for a fool when they reached the quarterfinals. Disposing of Italy, Uruguay, England and Netherlands before Argentina crashed their party. In contrast if we were to rewind to last year's Gold Cup we would find a very beleaguered side. The Central Americans put in a sputtering display barley edging out Canada and Haiti in group play to advance to the quarters where they passively subdued by an aggressive Mexico. Oscar Ramírez's side have just loss their biggest weapons and I think this will be a tough go for them now. Key Man- With no Keylor Navas I've reluctantly chose Joel Campbell as thee main threat for the Costa Ricans due to his legitimate pace on a wing something that few teams nowadays seem to have. I won't be lulled by Bryan Ruiz any further because for me he hasn't hit his mark internationally for some time now. Paraguay
When I was growing up in the 90s Paraguay was the country that when you had to play them everyone said f*ck! They didn't do the atypical South American flair thing, they were tough tackling and mean. I even remembered famed Paraguayan goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert spitting on Brazil's Roberto Carlos. That's an isolated incident of indecency and idiocy but that was Paraguay's game when I was coming up. They were tough guys who could play and that translated to what was a very stern defense. Nowadays the Paraguayans aren't as hostile but their lock down defending has remained over the years. Questions marks in recent times has been thrown at their offense and with the waning of Roque Santa Cruz their once star striker, has seen a decline in scoring from the South Americans. In last year's Copa America they did bounce Brazil in the quarterfinals only to be undone by Argentina in the semis which sounds like progress but if you take into account this missed out on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and they shockingly came dead last for qualifying for the tournament so they are alarm bells still ringing for Paraguay. So what can we expect from "La Albirroja?" I really don't know! The quality of player isn't awful but you go though the men coach Ramón Díaz has to choose from it isn't screaming wonder. I fully expect the Paraguayans to duke it out with the Americans for a chance to advance as I expect Colombia to boss the group and Costa Rica to fade away. Key Man- This one is tough no Lucas Barrios, Roque Santa Cruz and Óscar Cardozo to choose from I don't really know who is the next man up. Nelson Valdez is still running around and does a decent job for the Seattle Sounders but I don't think he is the answer. So I will go with Juan Iturbe granted he gets the pitch time. Paraguay in general is a mixed bag. Predictions- Colombia 1st, USA 2nd, Paraguay 3rd, Costa Rica 4th. This all depends if James Rodríguez decides to sparkle. Although the United States are the hometown favorites they've got to sort out the issues at the back. Unless one of their defenders turns in to Alexi Lalas they will be a bit iffy. Paraguay has to start scoring goals and not hit us with their legendary 0-0 scorecards. As for Costa Rica I don't think their back line can survive with Keylor Navas.
After the challenging time of trying figure who will advance from Group C of this summer’s World Cup. I now am faced with an either harder bunch in Group D. A group that contains three former winners. When making decisions like this I first like to go with my gut. Whatever pops into my head I immediately scribble down. If I’m not satisfied with that I tend to look at the players each nation has, the form they are in and their fitness via stats and calculations. Another interesting tool I like to implicate is the "special factor.” Does a team has a veteran roster? So this may be a last hooray for the players. They may use that as motivator. Does a team have a home team advantage or a huge following in a country? For example, Portugal will be well supported and culturally will feel very comfortable in Brazil. Lastly I just ask a good friend who they think is going to win or advance. Sometimes having an outside perspective is the best angle one can take. I’m very critically of myself and the work I produce. In any realm of life and though I may not like being criticized, it is welcomed. So I can at least give myself room to dwell on thoughts. So there you go a snippet into my mind. Here is hoping I can have clear thoughts moving forward. Group D Costa Rica England Italy Uruguay Costa Rica
If you don’t feel for sorry for Costa Rica you have to be subhuman! The Costa Ricans really didn’t deserve this. I know because I basically watched their whole qualifying campaign in CONCACAF. They were heroic, marvelous and didn’t shirk from any challenge. I will never forget when they played that nightmare of a football match in snowy Colorado against the United States where they turned in a stoic display only to barely lose. Costa Rica enter World Cup qualification in CONCACAF’s third round and were place in Group B with perennial giants Mexico and bottom feeders Guyana and El Salvador. As to be expect the Costa Ricans finished the Mexicans to advance to the final stage of the region’s qualifying, “The Hexagonal.” In the “Hex,” the Costa Ricans exceed expectations and finished just behind the Americans to claim second spot and automatic qualification. A remarkable feat considering Mexico and Honduras were in the pool as well. This will be the “Ticos,” fourth World Cup. Their best ever finish was at Italy 1990 when they reached the round of 16. I’ve seen the Costa Rica squad coach Jorge Pinto will has chosen for the World Cup and the fact he has chosen just three flat out strikers tells you his intention. He isn’t stupid he knows that he will have to close the blinds given the opposition his team will face. Pinto has to get his tactics right and ensure men like Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz and Michael Barrantes at least give a wanting defense a break. Key Man- Like so many squads going into this World Cup Costa Rica has been hit by injury. Pinto has loss Real Salt Lake forward Álvaro Saborío to a broken foot in training. A man who would have linked up well with star man Bryan Ruiz. The former Fulham man will have limited touches in the ball but when he gets his chance he will need to be spectacular. England
It's not a well kept secret that England has underwhelmed at FIFA competitions for awhile. Which is a shame because the country credited for bringing the game to the world they should be draped in even more glory than they already have. England’s only international crown came in 1966 when they hosted and won the World Cup. Ever since then it has been an ocean of mediocrity for the English. Which doesn’t make much sense when you look at the players the nation have and had. What I will say this their 14th trip to the World Cup seems to bring an air of optimism with it. In recent times there has been clamor in England to go with youth...well they got what they asked for because this squad heading to Brazil is definitely young. To be honest I think that was the right step because in qualifying for Brazil, England did use a youthful squad when they stepped out on top of UEFA’s Group H. Which was a very tricky ordeal because the English had to see off Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino. England will be led by Roy Hodgson and the team he has picked for the tourney is missing a few good men for me at least. There is no Jay Rodriguez and Theo Walcott ruled out through injury. England are always without the famed Chelsea pair John Terry and Ashley Cole. Both confirming there international retirement for one reason or another. Steven Caulker was not picked, which is a little puzzling to me given his good form. The regulars however are there for the “Three Lions.” Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart and Glen Johnson will all be in Brazil. They will be joined by fresh talent like Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Fraser Forester and Danny Welbeck which sounds good. It can’t be side stepped...this is a tough group the English could win it or finish behind Uruguay and Italy. We will have to wait and see. Key Man- I’m sure almost every pundit has Wayne Rooney as the go to man for Roy Hodgson but I see it differently. Daniel Sturridge is such a amazing player I can’t wrap my head around some of his performances. I’m tipping him to overshadow Rooney simply because he is such a real talent. Italy
Italy coast through UEFA’s Group B where they easily conquered Denmark, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Malta and Armenia. This will be the Italians 19th World Cup and they are looking for their fifth title. The Italians this summer will be led by coach Cesare Prandelli and he has brought with him some familiar names. The always reliable Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Danielle De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo will be there. Prandelli has also incorporated some youth into the squad. Forward Lorenzo Insigne, midfield man Marco Veratti and defender Matteo De Scigilio will make the trip. Combining these youngster into the squad immediately gives Italy a much more mobile look and feel. I mean I can call all the names I want but we all know that Mario Balotelli is the go getter for the “Azzuri.” I won’t say the Italians won't win this thing but if they do he will be a big help. To doubt Italy changes at any FIFA tournament is folly. The players heading to Brazil look strong and I know they will do a job but the Serie A is flagging a bit and Italy’s players are competing in an ailing league. One just has to look at how well Italian teams are doing in the UEFA Champions League in recent seasons. Attendances and financing for the league isn’t as strong as other spots in Europe but the Italians being Italians won’t care and would discount all of that. Again here we have another team who could well come along and win this whole thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. Key Man- As I said just now Mario Balotelli is clearly the star here. Some may argue that Andrea Pirlo, Gigi Buffon or Giorgio Chiellini are more important and that would be sound but Balotelli brings the fear. No one should ever underestimate the power of intimidation in sport. Uruguay
Winners and host of the first ever World Cup, Uruguay go to Brazil with history on their side. The Uruguayans are seeking their third ever world title and it is worth noting that the last time the World Cup was in Brazil they did win. Qualification for Óscar Tabárez men was not uniformed at all. Uruguay finished fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying thus earning an intercontinental tie with Asian side Jordan. The Jordanians knew it was a long shot qualifying for Brazil and Uruguay quickly reminded them of that. The South American side strolled over to Amman and whacked the Jordanians 5-0. In the return leg in Montevideo the host didn’t even bothered to score and Jordan gave up the ghost so a 0-0 draw ensued. This World Cup Tabárez has put the band back together. Diego Forlán, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez I’m pretty sure will all be in the starting XI for Uruguay and for rest of the teams in group that’s bad news. Fernando Musalera will be goal. You can expect veteran defenders like Diego Lugano and Diego Godín to feature. Uruguay has also brought Sebastián Coates, a defender who dominated at the last Copa America but who has also been hurt for a long time. In the middle Diego Pérez will be there alongside Cristian Rodríguez. While for some creativity in the midfield Tabárez has opted to give Gastón Ramírez a shot. Looking at the personnel on display for Uruguay I can easily say they can be in for a long run. Not a dark horse but a contender that can legitimately win it all. Key Man- After sweating out on Luis Suárez for a little while Uruguay will be ecstatic to have their star man ready for the tournament. If you watched the Barclays Premier League 2013-14 season you would easily see why this guy is my pick. He got me a ton of Fantasy points. Predictions- I have Uruguay coming in first. Followed by Italy closely followed by England with Costa Rica taking a backseat. Suarez, Cavani, Forlan and Stuani can produce a volume of goals that teams just won’t be able to match. Italy always find a way. England defensively are a little dodgy. As for Costa Rica they might as well not be here. Costa Rica
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