World Cup Predictions, US TV Schedule: Netherlands vs. Uruguay Semifinal

And then, there were four. Tomorrow's semifinal between Uruguay and the Netherlands is a tough one to call. The Dutch are riding the momentum from knocking Brazil out of the tournament while Uruguay is in their first semifinal since 1954 and looking to fight their way into the final. Welcome Ms. FootyNut for the predictions.

Ms FootyNut: My how I've been failing at this predictions game. This is going to be tough! The Netherlands had an epic win against Brazil. After their game against Ghana, Uruguay just highlight how ruthless they are. I say Netherlands just because they've never won a World Cup and they deserve to.

FootyNut: The Netherlands recent win over Brazil is as big as motivators come. If the Dutch can't channel a result like that to push themselves into a final against Spain or Germany, then nothing will. Count on Kuyt, Roben and Sneijder to counter Forlan's prolific performance. The Dutch may have some continuing issues with the center of their defense, but I see Uruguay's run ending here and the Netherlands progressing to the final.

Uruguay vs. Netherlands
Tuesday, July 6
2:30pm EDT, ESPN

World Cup Quaterfinals Preditions, Featuring Ms. FootyNut

Well, ladies and gentlemen, only 8 of 205 teams remain. Half of them are from South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), while the three more are European powerhouses in Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. The remaining team, Ghana, carries the hopes of Africa on its shoulders.

Once again, please welcome Ms. FootyNut to help out with this round of predictions. Without further ado, let's get started!

Uruguay v Ghana

Ms. FootyNut: I'm going to stick with my bracket and say Uruguay for the win. Ghana are tough, don't get me wrong, but there's something about this lot of South American teams. They're just winners.

FootyNut: Funny thing: My bracket didn't reflect my predictions. And since my predictions for the Uruguay-South Korea game were correct, I'm going to claim that it was my bracket that was a mistake. Now that we've sorted that out, I'm going to agree with the Missus on this one, Uruguay has the composure and class to fend off the Guardians of Africa's dreams.


Netherlands v Brazil

MF: Brazil hands down. I just have this feeling that they're going all the way...much to the chagrin of everyone...except Brazilians.

FN: This is my biggest risk of the entire tournament. Truth be told, I think I am more than half willing Brazil to lose this one. However, after seeing the Dutch's consistent and dynamic attack, I think they might be able to pull this off. However, if Brazil wins, only a date with Germany or Argentina in the finals will see them lose. But on a perfect day for the Orange Tide of the Netherlands, they will go through.


Argentina v Germany

MF: Germany is a young and forceful team! But I think they're "too nice" much like this year's USMNT. Argentina are ruthless imho. Plus, I want them to battle it out in the final with Brazil.

FN: This is a tough one to call. Argentina has been solid. Tevez is the heart while Messi is the brain. But Germany has been inspired going forward, and that inspiration has been enough to compensate for a less than seamless defense. In the end, though, I feel this is Germany's year for another appearance in the final.


Paraguay v Spain

MF: Paraguay's game vs Japan was painful. I don't see them advancing. Spain for me here.

FN: Yeah. The missus has this one absolutely correct. Paraguay is starving for goals. And as I've said before, Spain my stumble before the end, but it won't be against Paraguay.

Don't forget to catch the matches tomorrow and this weekend on TV at home or in your local soccer pub!

World Cup US TV Schedule Quarterfinals: July 2

FRIDAY, JULY 2

Brazil v Netherlands
10:00am EDT, ESPN

Uruguay v Ghana
2:30pm EDT, ESPN

Stateside Soccer's World Cup Round of 16 Predictions, Featuring Ms. Footynut!

In light of the less than flawless results from my World Cup Group predictions (one measure of success has me at 56% for correctly predicting which teams will get out of the group), I have decided to bring in guest blogger Ms. FootyNut to make the predictions for the Round of 16.

Uruguay v South Korea

Ms. FootyNut: This was really tough because South Korea beat some big names. However, Uruguay took their group without conceding a single goal. They beat South Africa on their home turf! I just feel like they are stronger at defense than South Korea. Uruguay to win.

FootyNut: It's plain and simple for me, this World Cup is shaping up to be a display for South American teams. While Korea has had a somewhat of a surprising tournament (Asian teams have fared better than the African teams), I believe their luck runs out in the Round of 16. Uruguay will advance to the Quarter Finals.


USA v Ghana

MF: Ok, this prediction is about 50% desire, 50% logic. But I think our boys have done an outstanding job attacking (if only their goals are allowed!!), and Tim Howard is an amazing keeper! It's not going to be an easy win. Ghana was top of their group for a while, but they looked sluggish to me, like they lack self-esteem and they're ready to go home. USA to advance!

FN: Throw me up on a gibbet and burn me in effigy, but I'm calling this one for Ghana. Although my faith in the massive home turf advantage the African teams would experience in South Africa failed me in my group match predictions, Ghana's U20 men's national team became the first African team to win a FIFA tournament on African soil when it defeated Brazil in last year's U20 World Cup. Expect a hard fought, but ultimately heartbreaking game for the Yanks.


Netherlands v Slovakia

MF: The Orange tide of the Netherlands just won their group so easily! Slovakia only barely beat Italy. I don't know if the Slovak's defense/goalkeeping combo is strong enough to stem the Dutch attack.

FN: I agree with the Missus on this one. Slovakia's success in their group was - honestly - due less to their skill and more to the train wreck of an Italian team slowly but surely self destructing. The Netherlands will put on their requisite display of flash and substance on their way to the quarter-finals.


Brazil v Chile

MF: Well, I mean...what can you say? Brazil wins this one.Chile just isn't strong enough for this powerhouse. Brazil just seems unstoppable (and their fans insufferable ... but I digress).

FN: Well, poor Chile. They've had an unlucky draw this cup. In any 2 out of 3 other groups Chile might have been drawn in, they would have won and been in a much more favorable position in the knock-outs. But as it sits, their dynamic performances weren't enough to hold stop Spain from topping the group and now have to face Brazil, a team they lost to twice in qualifying, with an aggregate score of 7-2. Brazil goes through.


Argentina v Mexico

MF: Mexico got through by the skin of their teeth. The beat France - which was easy given they are falling apart, and tied with South Africa who just weren't that strong this time around. Again, Argentina = obvious choice.

FN: So if Messi is going to shine, now would be the time. However, it may be that - like his evil and much taller twin Cristiano Ronaldo - Messi's best role will be as an orchestrator for a stronger defense. And unlike Ronaldo, Messi has a wide selection of fellow, world class attackers to feed. Argentina wins.


Germany v England

MF: Again, more than 50% of this prediction is biased desire. This is not going to be an easy match. Germany have been excellent. England have not. I want to believe that the boys of the Three Lions will pull it together, start thinking and playing as a team, and start feeding Rooney some good passes! He knows how to find the back of the net, help him do it!! Rule, Britannia, England rule the game!

FN: A star crossed lot this English team be. I'd love to see the Three Lions go through, but the Germans are a more cohesive unit who look threatening and ruthless in the final third. Germany will edge out England in this latest installment of World Soccer's greatest rivalries.


Paraguay v Japan

MF: I feel like Japan never expected to get through to the knockout rounds. They did well in their group but they're up against Paraguay who I abstractly view as another South American Powerhouse. Japan does have a chance though and could surprise me. I would welcome it actually, but I see Paraguay going through.

FN: For an unengaged fan, this may be the most obscure match in the Round of 16. Japan has done nothing but exceed expectations and I think they will continue for just one more match. The Blue Samurai of Japan will make the quarter finals.


Spain v Portugal

MF: One word: Spain. I just don't like Ronaldo. Is that a good enough reason? But seriously, this was tough. I actually have no strong feelings about this decision. Spain were on top of their group (and European Champions in 2008), so why not, right?

FN: Yeah, I'm still not convinced Spain will win it all, but I can say that Portugal and Ronaldo just won't be able to make enough of an impact against the savvy possession of Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Villa. The Spaniards might not win the tournament, but they'll win this one. Spain to win.


If you want to see how both Ms. FootyNut and I predict the rest of the World Cup to go - including all winners and losers down to the champions and third place teams - check out our dueling brackets.

Dueling World Cup Brackets: Who Will Win It All?

So guest blogger and supposed fiancee of yours truly, Ms FootyNut, decided to draft a bracket to compete against mine for the knock-out rounds of the tournament. I have the Netherlands winning a final over Germany with Spain edging Ghana out for third place. She has an epic finish with Brazil triumphing over Argentina and Spain taking third place at the cost of Uruguay.

To be fair, Ms FootyNut's was probably a bit more methodical. In truth, I took my lead from the Wall Street Journal's old dartboard contest. Random, unpredictable selections may end up making me look like a psychic.

Stateside Soccer's Bracket:


Ms. FootyNut's Bracket:

Truly Epic Wins

Download Stateside Soccer's World Cup Knock-Out Round Bracket HERE. Fill it out in pencil or in pen, share it with your friends, enjoy the great soccer that is yet to come.


What a finish for Group C!!! You could not ask for more drama, suspense, or beauty in the USA's story. Robbed of two goals, both disallowed in objectionable circumstances during pivotal matches, only to come back in the 91st minute of the final game to win the group. Beautiful. There are hardly words. And I can't forget to mention England's showing, which was just as well done, holding off Slovenia's attacks for a clean 1-0 final. Magnificent.

Now that we are closer to the Final 16 I'd like to share with you the reusable, printable bracket I made. It's hosted on Google Docs for all the world to see and print here.

As a reminder, here are the standings so far:

Group A:
1. Uruguay
2. Mexico

Group B:
1. Argentina
2. South Korea

Group C:
1. USA
2. England

Group D:
1. Germany
2. Ghana

Also guaranteed a spot:
Group E, Netherlands and Group G, Brazil

Group D plays their final games today at 2:30pm EST. Can Ghana beat Germany and hold onto the top spot? Will Australia come from behind to get the win required to go through?! [Edit to Add] Yeah, that didn't happen...Germany and Ghana are through.

It's all terribly exciting!!

In case you missed it, Ms FootyNut is guest blogging here to give a layperson's view of footy and the World Cup.

World Cup Week One Round Up

Three England fans looking only slightly less ridiculous than their team (Telegraph.co.uk)

As we're coming to the end of the second weekend of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we find ourselves faced with a compelling final five days of group stage games. And even with 29 of 48 group matches played, only the Netherlands and Brazil have guaranteed themselves a spot in the next round. Needless to say, my predictions have almost all been thrown out the window.

Draws Dominate Crucial Group C Games
Through almost freakishly unpredictable circumstances, three draws in the opening four games of Group C have left Slovenia on top of the group table with four points. The United States sits in second place with two points, edging England to third on account of goals scored.

After leaving their first match against England with a well-deserved 1-1 draw, the United States showed the spectacularly gritty nature of its team character when they fought back from a two goal deficit at half time to draw and nearly beat a slick Slovenian side in their second match.

England, on the other hand, apparently forgot to eat their Wheaties and struggled to produce any sort of attacking threat in a 0-0 draw in their second group stage match against Algeria.


World Powers Stumble, Self-Destruct
Spain, the reigning European champions and a prominent favorite to win this year's world cup found themselves on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline against a lucky and well organized (imagined that) Swiss side.

After pummeling a lackluster, befuddled Australian side 4-0 in their opening games, tournament regulars Germany lost 1-0 to a stalwart Serbian side.

Defending World Cup winners Italy not only came from behind to salvage a draw in their opener against Paraguay, but they found themselves in need of a similar performance to salvage not only a point but their dignity from their second game against a spectacularly organized New Zealand side. The Azzuri now sit on 2 points going into the final day.

If it wasn't enough that France all but cheated its way into a spot in South Africa, they opened their tournament with an uninspired 0-0 draw against Uruguay. Then the French proceeded to fall apart in a 2-0 loss to Mexico. The self-destruction continued into the weekend when forward Nicolas Anelka was sent home, the French players refused to train and many of the coaching staff simply quit.

And as ESPN the Magazine's World Cup preview so astutely put it, "There will always be an England and it will always disappoint." And with a goalless draw against Algeria of all teams, the Three Lions of England have surely disappointed.


Quality of Refereeing Goes from Amazing to Appalling
The refereeing of the opening dozen games or so was nearly impeccable. The most prominent example of the outstanding refereeing came in the opening match of the tournament when Mexico's Carlos Vela was correctly called off side against the protests of about 85% of the matches viewers, including the ESPN commentating crew.

However, come Friday, the wheels starting coming off the refereeing cart. Germany's loss came within the context of Spanish referee Alberto Mallenco's 10 cards, including the sending off of the German's World Cup Talisman, Miroslav Klose. Then, with only 10 minutes to go in the US's match against Slovenia, Malian referee Koman Coulibaly disallowed a US goal by calling a foul that remains unfathomable in the face of dozens of slow motion replays.


Regardless of what the past 10 days have brought us, they are sure to bring exciting match-ups and edge-of-your-seat moments. Will New Zealand pull off the unthinkable and follow Paraguay out of the group, leaving the Italians behind to ponder what might have been? Will the US and Slovenia leave England equally befuddled by elimination? Will the cards fall just right for Australia? Will it be Portugal or the Ivory Coast who advances from the group of death? Will an African team be able to make it to the knock out stages in the first tournament held on African soil?

We'll just have to watch some more to find out.

World Cup Predictions: Group E

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

Players to Watch:
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Christian Poulsen (Denmark)
Yasuhito Endo (Japan)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)


Match to Watch:
Netherlands vs. Cameroon
June 12, 2:30 P.M. (ABC)


Predictions:

Netherlands vs. Denmark
June 14, 7:30 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
The name of the game in this group will be explosive offenses. With the exception of Japan. And the exception of this opening game. As for this first match, it is Hamlet versus the Boy with his finger in the Dyke. On one hand, you have the predictability of a Dutch offense in the group stage. They chop, they slice, they dice, but wait there's more! While the Danish are a respectable European side with a little more of a question mark. In the end, Van Persie, Robben, Kuyt, Van Bommel and Sneijder will be too much for the Danes.
Result: NED 2 - 1 DEN

Japan vs. Cameroon
June 14, 10:00 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
While Japan has grandiose ambitions and some measured recent success, they will not fair well in South Africa. With the likes of the Dutch, the Danes and the Cameroonians (?), this group is in need of a whipping boy, and the Blue Samurai fit the bill.
Result: JPN 1 - 2 CMR

Netherlands vs. Japan
June 19, 7:30 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
Asian teams are known for their speed, discipline and dynamic close control. Too bad Japan is playing the Netherlands. While anything can happen in a World Cup, it won't happen for Japan in this game.
Result: NED 3 - 0 JPN

Cameroon vs. Denmark
June 19, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
Ok, so I like 2-1 as a score for this group. It's pretty simple, though: International games are rarely blow-outs and the teams in this group isn't known for defense. As for deciding who gets the two goals and who goes home with only one, I'm going (once again) with the de facto home soil advantage the African teams have in this world cup.
Result: CMR 2 - 1 DEN

Cameroon vs. Netherlands
June 24, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
Each group always has the game that decides who will be first and who will be second. Some times it involves an unfathomable result wherein the clear favorite drops two or all three points against underdog opposition. However, for this group, it is the much more direct - if not less compelling - match up of the Netherlands, who enter the tournament with incredible confidence in their offensive capabilities, and Cameroon, who are looking to impress on their home soil. The deciding factor? Cameroon's inconsistent defense.
Result: CMR 0 - 1 NED

Denmark vs. Japan
June 24, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN)
In this scenario I have dreamed for myself, Denmark and Japan are playing for nothing but pride. But when it comes to the World Cup, pride is everything. I may be a bit unable to think outside the box, but I still don't see any situation in which Japan leaves this group with anything but four years worth of World Cup homework to think about.
Result: DEN 2 - 0 JPN


Final standings: