Group C: England, USA, Algeria, SloveniaPlayers to Watch:
Wayne Rooney (England)
Jozy Altidore (USA)
Karim Ziani (Algeria)
Milivoje Novakovic (Slovenia)
Match to Watch:
England vs. USA
June 12, 2:30 P.M. (ABC)
Predictions:
England vs. USA
June 12, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ABC)
For US fans this match can be summed up in one word: "Epic." Both Number 10's have had a hell of a past 12 months. England is looking to make good on its ever elusive birthright of a second World Cup. But England never makes anything easy for itself and drama almost always ensues. I'm predicting either a humdrum 1-0 win to either side or an explosive 3-2 win for England. And since I'm feeling risky today, I'm going with the 3-2.
Result: ENG 3 - 2 USA
Algeria vs. Slovenia
June 13, 7:30 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
It would be easy to write off Algeria and Slovenia as lost causes and means to and end for England and the USA ... but I'm going to take the easy way out. Algeria will have discipline problems when a well-ordered deep midfield would probably suit them better. They'll be struggling for goals let alone points.
Result: ALG 0 - 2 SVN
Slovenia vs. USA
June 18, 10:00 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
This match is crucial for the US. No matter what happens in their opener with England, the US will need to take full points from their ecounter with Slovenia in order to remain the masters of their own fates going into the final group match.
Result: SVN 0 - 1 USA
England vs. Algeria
June 18, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
If England can't win this game, they have more problems than whose baby mama former captain John Terry has nailed.
Result: ENG 3 - 0 ALG
Slovenia vs. England
June 22, 10 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
Believe it or not, this game may be the most important match that the US won't play. Depending on how the points have fallen, this game may either decide if the US places first, second or third in the group. England may falter a bit in the face of stiff continental opposition.
Result: SVN 1 - 1 ENG
USA vs. Algeria
June 22, 10 A.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
This game is the very definition of a "must win" scenario for the Yanks. In fact - I'll be one of the first to say it, Landon Donovan's US international legacy may depend on the outcome of this game. If the US finds themselves in the need of an all-out team performance and he doesn't step up in the leadership role we all know he should be able to fill and the team misses out on qualifying for the knock-out rounds, questions will arise.
Result: USA 2 - 0 ALG
Final standings:
Posts
2 comments:
Id take it. Screw England, I say, lets kick their teeth in and beat them outright. But if you offered me those results right now Id take them in a second, and that would likely pit us vs the Ballock'less Germans.
To be honest, these are less "predictions" than they are "God, I hope these are true." In short, this is how I go to bed every night hoping the group will land.
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