Soccer-Point: Observations, Predictions and Pitfalls for the 2010 World Cup (Pt 1):

1. ESPN has done well to prepare the masses for the 2010 World Cup. I have enjoyed their walks down memory lane. But I have to ask myself, “Am I qualified to write about the soccer?” The credentials of their soccer crew state that they’re huge soccer fans and have watched a lot of matches. I’ve done that! So, I must be qualified! But, they’re also employed by Disney, which means 2 people may read this. The only difference between me and them is that I played NAIA soccer my freshmen year between class and keg parties. My other credential is that I picked the last 3 out of 4 World Cup winners. 1998 was an anomaly. Regardless, thank you ESPN for your World Cup coverage.

2. Who’s on the Underdog Radar?

Teams with a natural disaster since their last World Cup appearance. These are Chile, Greece, Honduras and Paraguay. The town of Concepción, Chile was leveled by 8.8 earthquake in Feb 2010. Greece – their economy is in the toilet. In 1998, Honduras was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. Paraguay lost it best striker Salvador Cabañas to a gun shot wound to the head in Mexico City in Jan 2010. Although Paraguay has numerous good players, he was their captain. Paraguay's President issued a national day of mourning for Cabañas, and he’s still alive! Didn’t see Obama issue this for Davies after his car accident. Oh, how engaged we are. Regardless, these nations will be playing with another level of national pride. When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.

Teams politically or religiously motivated. This would include North Korea and Algeria. The only problem for North Korea is that they will be the whipping boy in the Group of Death that features Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast. North Korea may earn a draw and eliminate an over-confident Ivory Coast team. Algeria will unite with Muslim pride to test the US (the great Satan). Also, the US has historically fared poorly against Muslim countries in the WC. Don’t forget Zinedine Zidane is Algerian descent, so there is no shortage of talent. Besides, Algeria knows a thing about upsetting teams in the WC (beat West Germany 2-1 in 1982).

3. How much does group play matter?

Top Flight teams want to be tested. Getting a draw in group play or an ugly win will lead to cohesion. Brazil in 2002 struggled against Turkey. Italy in 2006 battled against the US. Both teams got stronger, and never looked back. Top Flight teams who run up the score and go undefeated will lose by the quarterfinals. See – England and Spain.

If you’re a middle of the road team (the US), then you hope to score and limit your opponents to fewer goals. DUH! It all comes down to goal differential.

If you are a bottom dweller, then pray for a draw or a miracle goal that will inject your nation with pride. This lone goal scorer will eventually become President or Dictator of his country.

4. Teams love to play the US! In 4 out of the last 5 World Cups, teams that played the US did the following: