2010 FIFA World Cup: Complete and Comprehensive All-World Cup Preview

The world’s greatest sporting event starts tomorrow. Here is everything you need to know, regardless of your knowledge. I will try to provide favourites, big names, small names, and some shocks that are sure to never happen (except one that’s just a lucky and foolish guess anyway).

Thus far I have been pretty opposed to the selections many teams have made. International soccer is completely different than club soccer. However, aside from knowing a player personally, I don’t know how to tell who’s good enough to play in a World Cup Finals other than watching club matches (which is what Fabio Capello does best).

Instead of doing the ridiculous math and following of the extremely hard KO round bracket, I just filled out a bracket on ESPN. I highly recommend. Not to enter and win whatever prize they are putting up for grabs because there’s no way you’ll ever win, but for the clarity and much better picture it offers for you to see how you’ve selected winners and their possible down-the-road matchups.

After I completed mine, I saw that I picked many rematches. Now, I feel strongly about my group picks. But not their order. Many I went the other way and had the favourited 1 seed in the 2^nd position.

These could happen but it’s not likely. And of course, I can do what I want. Now, I actually think what I’ve predicted can happen, but it’s not the smartest or safest choice.

As long as I have most of the semi-finals correct, the Final and winner correct, I am doing very well.

I will proceed to put my group picks in order of finish. People who know the game will understand where I’ve strayed from most logic and those who don’t can find the FIFA rankings (by far the worst in the world, even before the BCS system) online in a second. The team I have atop is obviously my pick to win the group. The second is my choice to advance to the round of 16. The 3^rd team within the group, I think they could advance to KO stages. The team I place in 4^th I feel has no shot to advance (this doesn’t mean they can’t finish 3^rd in group).

Of course, one group is more difficult than another so a team in one group that finishes 3^rd could very well finish 2^nd or even win another group (for example the overrated Ivory Coast or Portugal). Sometimes it just comes down to the luck of the draw. And once you get to Kos, anything can happen. That’s truly telling, you’ll see.

Group A :

Mexico

South Africa

France

Uruguay

Group B :

Nigeria

Argentina

Korea Republic

Greece

Group C :

England

USA

Slovenia

Algeria

Group D :

Germany

Serbia

Australia

Ghana

Group E :

Holland

Japan

Cameroon

Denmark

Group F :

Italy

New Zealand

Paraguay

Slovakia

Group G :

North Korea (jk lolz)

Brazil

Portugal

Ivory Coast

Group H :

Spain

Chile

Honduras

Switzerland

Some comments I’d like to make on teams I thought and still think can do well and even if not advance out of their groups, play well and make things interesting:

Uruguay is a good team. I think A is the most underrated group. It may not be the best by the talent of the teams, but it is the hardest to get out of in my opinion. No game will ever be easy in a World Cup, but regardless of form, France is a power. Mexico is good and on the rise. The host nation is there, and Uruguay has some big names with great game-changing ability.

South Korea is good and Asian teams should never be underestimated and somewhat feared in a mysterious kind of way. I gave up on Greece last Euro after their surprising (to say the least) ’04 win. They did nothing as defending Champions. In fact, I use “defending champ” loosely.

Slovenia and Algeria cannot draw one another on Saturday. One must beat the other for either to advance. They must then beat or draw with the US and get some help.

I liked Serbia a lot coming in but their warm-up matches have gone terribly. They have in my mind the world’s best defender in Nemanja Vidic. Dejan Stankovic and Marko Pentelic are enough to get them through.

I really liked Australia as well, but again, their pre-Word Cup matches have been disappointing. I think they can make a run into the Kos if Serbia continues their bad stretch.

With overachievement comes overration. I’m not saying Ghana is bad, but they are not nearly as good as people think. Just because one year they (or any team) does real well and emerges seemingly from nowhere doesn’t mean they are going to repeat that form the next time around.

I could be wrong but I’m just saying they won’t get to the KO rounds. Many expect a good tournament from them and I don’t see them getting good results. Especially without Michael Essien. He isn’t their whole team but a major part, and I’m not even sure with him that they’d advance.

Japan was likely to be my favourite Asian team coming in. Their recent results have been rather nice and I have them doing some damage this summer. Shunsuke Nakamura can strike a dead ball with the best of them.

The issues with Samuel Eto’o and then him spending $1.3 million on watches as gifts to his teammates is odd but he’s so deadly. A threat at any time. I actually thought his first season at Inter was poor for him personally. He’s always been a weird guy, but he’s won everywhere (but international).

I know a lot of people who are high on Denmark, but really is Nicklas Bendtner going to lead you to victory? Please.

I like how New Zealand finished their qualifying campaign but they have been awful since. In their group with Paraguay and Slovakia, it’s really a toss-up who finishes 2^nd . Roque Santa Cruz should help his side separate themselves from the weak pack but you never know. One season he’s a star, the next he’s playing less than Sylvinho at City.

The Ivory Coast is overrated. As is Portugal. But the Ivory Coast is getting far too much credit for having one top 20 player in the world. While Didier Drogba has played well for country, he has not played well enough to make a huge impression and do real great things. The same can be said for many great club players, but this man has solely got the world thinking about his side. I think his undervalued homeboy Kalou can do some work, too.

North Korea shouldn’t attend and there should be one day where the other teams get together for a sweet competitive scrimmage with squads mixed of players from all three nations.

I picked Chile because they impressed me very much so in their qualifying road and because of the emotional aspect from the earthquake that has had much less publicity than Haiti.

Honduras can advance and is a dangerous side to beware of if they are in your group. Switzerland co-hosted Euro 2008 and did poorly without its star striker Alexander Frei. He limped out of training Tuesday, so we’ll all wait and see on him once again. Another good side and I think anyone can get 2^nd in the group but Chile should distance itself, especially if Frei is unable to go.

Now comments on the favourites and clearly better teams:

France is my “most dangerous team.” A dangerous team is one that is well, dangerous. A team that should be great, has been poor, but still has the potential to do very well. On paper, they are stacked as well as any one of the other powers.

They come in limping. Their coach is going to be out after the Cup in one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen. Raymond Domenech should have been ousted pre-Euro 2008, certainly thereafter their pathetic showing. They left their best striker at home because he couldn’t play over Kaka and Ronaldo at Madrid (not an easy place to book first-team time).

There are so many wrongs with this team, and because they have not made me think otherwise than to leave them out of the KOs, they are now dangerous. I don’t predict anything good. I think they will fail miserably and I sure hope so.

They shouldn’t even be here. There’s no guarantee Ireland would have won in extra time but hopefully karma will play a part in their fortunes. Franck Ribery won’t mind, he could just hit up the nearest brothel to drown his sorrows after being knocked out of the group in another disappointing World Cup. Since their ’98 win, they have done nothing but shown poor class and sometimes extreme stupidity.

Argentina is the best team, offensively , on paper. Their defense is rather mediocre compared to other powers. They are not going to score 4+ on the best teams, so their defense will do them in. I cannot even name their goalie, so that’s another plus.

I would start Sergio Aguero, Diego Maradona’s son-in-law. Wait for his son in 15-20 years – that kid is going to be amazing. It looks like Aguero would come off the bench for Carlos Tevez, Diego Millito, or Lionel Messi. But I would start Aguero, who in my eyes is their second best player on the attack.

Germany. Is there a better team with less to show for it in recent history? They are an all-time team with 3 World Cups (3-time runner-up) and 3 Euros (3-time runner-up). As hosts in 2006, they lost to Italy 2-nil in extra time in a semi-final. In 2008, they lost to Spain in the European Championship Final.

Last November, one of their goalies took his own life. Their Captain, Michael Ballack, is out. I’ll be the first to say I dislike Ballack. He’s outrageous sometimes and quite frankly, not that good for club. But no player is better for his country. He is a top five world player in importance to his national side. Without him, I still like them.

I know Lukas Podolski will score goals. And there are few defenders I’d rather have internationally than Philipp Lahm, who has stepped in as Captain. They are always good (recent major tournaments) and I don’t see why missing Ballack should prevent them from being themselves too much to where they completely fall off.

The Dutch come in looking the hottest and possibly the best. Arjen Robben foolishly hurt himself and for that I can laugh at him and not feel bad. Their midfield is absolutely stacked. Perhaps the strongest in the world. Nigel De Jong is vastly underrated and should start.

Their strikers are pretty good. Their attack as a whole is one of the best as it works together in the best fashion; as synchronized as anyone’s. The defense is OK. The goalie, too. They will dominate the group as always, but this time around I think they will be effective in KO rounds. I have them meeting Brazil in a quarter and they just can’t beat Brazil when Brazil is playing their game so some bad luck. I actually have Holland as my 4^th best team coming in. Unlucky draw.

Italy are the defending champions. They are old but not only experienced, they are still good. I would like to say that I am very pleased with the New Jersey guido *expletive deleted* being left off the squad. *expletive deleted* that guy (Giuseppe Rossi).

However, I would have taken him. He was good and then just alright in the Confederations Cup last summer. Without Totti and Toni, I’d prefer him over any of their other strikers. They left off my favourite Italian, Fabio Grosso, the hero who did it all in the biggest matches last World Cup. I think they will still beat the teams that they should and possibly upset a better power. Unfortunately, it lines them up against Spain in a quarter and they should not win that game, but it’ll be tight.

Brazil is probably the most likely champion. They’re Brazil. I like that they brought some of the “weaker” players but they also left off some of my preferred less popular players. And some Ronaldinho guy.

I for one, would have Lucas and Elano both play in the midfield. Less flash, but just as good game and they’d control it very well. I expect Fabiano to get the Golden Boot, but not the Cup.

Portugal is not the same side that had a great run in ’06. They have many new names and they are missing one of their best defenders in Pepe, and attackers in Nani. They have the most talented player in the world who happens to be the best player in the world.

He has been great on the international stage at times, but often time mediocre at best for a star of his caliber. After the very disappointing Euro 2008, the Portuguese fans were livid with Ronaldo when he did not walk over to the traveling fans and thank them properly after a poor performance by the team and him personally especially.

Spain are the best team in the world. They have arguably the world’s best player in Xavi. Arguably the best striker in Fernando Torres. Another great one in David Villa who actually scores more goals than the former. Their midfield is stacked. They have a great defense.

They have great ‘keepers in Victor Valdes and Jose Reina, both of whom never play because the starter made his Real Madrid debut at 18 and Spanish debut at 19. The youngest to ever start in and win an UEFA Champions League Final (2000). Gerard Piqué will start in central defence with Carles Puyol. They are even stronger in back than they were in 2008.

The only dislike I have (and it’s not a concern) is that Marcos Senna has not been included. He was pretty vital to their success in Euro but the bench is more than enough. In 2008 they would start Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, and David Silva. Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas came off the bench. Need I continue?

Their even deeper and more updated bench today features guys who start on Barcelona. I prefer Bojan to Pedro, but either one can play in a World Cup and provide scoring. This team is not only equal or better to every other team, they play together better than anyone, and they have already won something. They are the best team in this tournament.

Don’t worry; I am not picking an England-US Final. Why I subconsciously put them last, I do not know.

This looks to be England’s last chance for a while. This is their Golden Generation . I am not a fan of Fabio Capello. I think he would have kept Beckham home, so as bad as it sounds, Beckham getting injured was the best thing that could have happened for either of them.

However, I like him for England. Yesterday, the fools at ESPN were suggesting that the pressure is getting to him because he snapped at cameramen taking pictures of players getting treatment. If that’s feeling the heat, then give me that concerned coach any day. However, that’s not the issue. Why would a player receiving care need to be photographed? It is a respect matter and he dealt with it properly.

In addition to that showing, I just like his temperament and hard-look. I wouldn’t want to play for him and as I said, I dislike him, but few managers would have been a better pick for England.

Back to the team itself, I would only play SWP (Sean Wright-Phillips) and Aaron Lennon off the bench. I don’t like Theo Walcott, but his speed alone made him their best substitute option. What is Emile Heskey going to do? Jermain Defoe is selfish.

Crouch should pair up with Rooney which I’ve maintained since 2007. Not to mention his incredible scoring record with England alone (21 in 38) should be enough to garner consistent World Cup starts. He is so undervalued. He is their 2^nd biggest threat. Not only can he obviously get up better than anyone in the world, but he puts them away. And he can head the ball to Rooney as well. Definitely do no worse than the other providing options. If they need a spark, SWP and Lennon can fill in more than anyone.

Jamie Carragher should be sitting on his couch. He quit England. He maintained that he’d never come back, not even for a World Cup place. Capello comes, Jamie accepts. This makes me very angry with Capello and upset that someone can quit and then possibly start in the biggest matches ever.

I loved England pre-JT and Wayne Bridge. Sadly, Bridge would probably start had he not declined the invite. I’m not saying he should have, but it really could hurt England.

Then came Ashley Cole. I’ve said before: classless Chelsea. The best players. The best team. The most money. The worst people. England have been a mess since. They have played well and won most of their friendly matches, but mentally they’ve yet to fully recover.

Lastly, the most important man to his team this entire World Cup: Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney has been so good this season that a team (possibly the best club of all-time) that had just bought Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo wanted him last winter. I don’t need to say anything else. But I will…

Rooney should be Captain. Steven Gerrard is too quiet. Rooney is their best player. He already has the weight of the entire country on him, what would being Captain of the side do as another massive expectation? Nothing negative for him. He relishes the responsibility. And most impressively, in the most selfless and humble yet loud and passionate way you’ll ever see. That’s the best thing about Wayne Rooney.

The United States of America. Terrible in 2006 after a nice 2002. Giant killers last summer. They leave two of their best players home. Jozy gets injured somewhat in practice. Good start.

I would have brought Freddy Adu. The thing is: he’d do now worse than the next guy that’s going to be toyed with against the best teams. Honestly. Eddie Johnson is the best American striker. He was supposed to be star. He had some setbacks (as did many Americans) but emerged and then was abruptly told to go home.

I disagree with much of Bob Bradley’s choices and decisions on every subject and most American fans (most national supporters watch the MLS more than they do Europe so there goes their credibility).

I would start Dempsey up top with Jozy. A midfield of Holden, Bradley, Landon right, and Beasley on the left. Holden is the US player to emerge. Not as a star, but to play well and announce his arrival on the international stage. Dempsey is the US’s best player. He doesn’t do much but he should do a lot. He’s very quiet and often looks angry until he scores and suddenly he’s ecstatic and happy.

Donovan is the best worst player in the world. He gets the most out of the least. He lacks so much compared to other good players but he does well with what he has; it’s actually impressive. I like the defense and Bocanegra as Captain but they’re still way behind compared to the best. Tim Howard is in for another long summer.

After handicapping almost every team, it’s time for some teams to watch and the young players to look out for:

I really like Mexico and Nigeria. If both advance to KOs, they’ll probably run into each other in the first round which isn’t nice for me. I think both have quarters potential. Japan as well. If not for difficult draws, perhaps Chile and South Africa. Mexico and South Africa almost have to draw tomorrow for my Group A predictions to become true.

Nigeria is my best African team. Full of Premier League players. Finalist in the U-20 World Cup last fall. Mexico has sured-up the defense which I thought was their weak point. Not anymore. If anything, an offense with some young firepower is their weakness now.

Kids who’ve played against the best at Barcelona, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester United next season. If they score a couple a game, they can beat anyone. They will play hard every match and have a chance in any game because of this.

Players to look for on the pitch, most likely as subs:

Gervihno. I keep hearing about him. I don’t know of him. I will see along with you. Stuart Holden will be the US’s emerging star. Javier Harnandez of Mexico. Alexis Sanchez of Chile. Mesut Oezil of Germany. Aaron Lennon if he counts, and Yasuhito Endo of Japan (30 years old but still very unknown).

As I previously stated, I went with some crazy wins and advancements. As long as I get ¾ of the semis and the Final right, I feel good. If I’m not going to have a team win it all, why not get rid of them early in some specials? I mean before they probably will be eliminated eventually. So:

I have Mexico and Argentina meeting in first KO round as they did in ’06. A rematch. It took one of the best goals I’ve ever seen to decide this one. People use that term and overvalue things too much too often, but I mean it. The goal itself was great, and add to it what it meant and who it was against. I was in Cabo San Lucas when it happened and although it’s a major vacation spot not filled with tons of locals as say, Mexico City, the people there were very into it and it was cool to feel the disappointment in person.

By virtue of that, I have Nigeria and South Africa on the opposite side of the bracket. I like Nigeria a lot more, but why not take the host to quarters? Either way there’ll be a surprise there. It also guarantees an African team in the final eight which I think the tournament needs. Additionally, no host has ever missed the KO rounds.

Also, I had Mexico winning the group. It could go Mexico 2^nd with Argentina winning theirs, and then the round of 16 match could see Mexico versus Argentina as well, but the quarter-final to be against their other main rival, the US after they beat La Albiceleste . Which is my pick, but as group winners (Mexico) and opposite the US’s side (so no quarter-final vs. the US for Mexico/Argentina winner). That was hard to explain. I apologize.

I’ve got the US over Germany in first KO round. Giant killers in ’09. They need to start beating these teams on a consistent basis and not always from behind and as underdogs. Germany is hurting. It’s possible.

That gives them the Nigeria/South Africa winner. I have the US in the semi-finals.

The Netherlands and Brazil will meet in the quarter-finals. A top-four matchup and unfortunate draw for both, Holland in particular.

Last November, Brazil defeated England 1-0. Both teams had missing players; England with the lesser squad. England will cruise to the semis for this rematch.

On the other side, the US will play Spain. The US beat Spain last summer in the Confederations Cup Final 2-0. Tim Howard was a beast and Sergio Ramos was a goat. One more rematch.

The World Cup is more than soccer. All sports are really. But being there would just be amazing. It’s a complete month of world culture. If anything, it’s everything but soccer. Soccer just brings it to our attention.

I attended four games in ’94. I was five years old. I didn’t know what I was seeing. I saw the US, Sweden, Columbia, Romania, Argentina. I watched Maradona sit on the bench. At that point the US was nothing in soccer. You could argue it still is. But it really has come a long way.

It takes time like anything. To expect crazy results is dumb. But to think them not only possible but do-able, as I have, I think is not only smart but needed. Why is getting out of the group considered enough? That’s a joke. If the US does not get out of the 2^nd weakest group in this World Cup, it should be banned from World Cups until 2026.

If it gets hammered in the first KO round, it is disappointing. If it gets to quarters, it has achieved what should be considered a good, acceptable result. Not shocking. If it gets to semis, it has overachieved something that should have been deemed actually possible. With stupid low expectations, why even try? What’s the point of even showing up and wasting plane fuel?

The World Cup is like the NCAA tourney. There’s no easy game after the opening round. There are going to be some hard group games. Once the KO rounds come, it’s difficult every step of the way. The NCAA ranks 25 teams a week. There are 32 in the 2^nd round. It’s all right there. Same here. Half the teams are gone after group stage, and sure there will be a few surprises in the round of 16 teams but they will be difficult to beat or they wouldn’t have gotten that far. And once you’re past that, there are eight. Therefore only going to be real solid teams from then on.

I love the boost in coverage. All 64 matches were televised in ’06 but there was almost no analysis whatsoever. Because the BBC has rights, Sky does not. So we get Martin Tyler. Personally, I prefer Andy Gray. I don’t know how ESPN snagged him for Euro 2008 but they did. I like Al Michaels in any sport. He can call a game for all. But Tyler is certainly better. Especially since Harkes and company have done important matches before and well, they are not exactly up to par for this level of the game.

I don’t like that Julie Foudy is there. It’s going to get even more annoying than it already is hearing Alexi Lalas and Steve McManaman go at it every day. But they have brought in some analysts who currently or formerly have coached in Europe. Definitely better than Harkes, Wynalda, whoever’s done so in the past. I didn’t see how three moderators would go but it should be fine. They are three of if not my absolute favourites on ESPN: Mike Tirico, Chris Fowler, and Bob Ley. Who’s going to step in at Wimbledon??

Some guarantees I can make:

A) Refereeing will be poor at times, and seemingly alter at least one important match. Now, other things change games and there should be no excuses, but the concentration will be on the blown call. To many, a referee will affect the outcome of a match.

Already, FIFA is making a Brazilian ref learn English curse words for Saturday’s game between the US and England. This is completely unfair. People who speak other languages don’t curse during matches? This is crazy. FIFA can put together the nicest tournaments but they have the oddest and dumbest requirements.

Sepp Blatter (president) can denounce the England bid for the future Cups, then in another time, say that one player who was found to have cheated on his wife would be looked up to where he is from. It’s just ridiculous how consistently inconsistent they are and the weight that they put on some things and not on others. I forget the player but he defended him. Yet a player who not only curses during a game but doesn’t like a bad call can get a yellow card and maybe miss the next match? It is so stupid. Referees better not be generous with their whistle-blowing.

B) Spain and Brazil will be in the semi-finals (at least).

C) Stuart Holden will get mad women after he returns home from the tournament. In part due to a crucial performance and his good teenage looks.

D) The vuvuzela will annoy the heck out of many people watching at home. Myself included. Perhaps I will watch many matches at bars where the commentary and noise is drowned out.

I think it should be banned for most of the game. Goals and such are fine. If players complain, that’s pointless since their opponents have to deal with it as well. But they are annoying and sometimes just a nuisance that shouldn’t be there during an entire match. World Cup matches nonetheless.

The Final:

England and Spain have played three times. England has never scored on Spain. Spain lead three wins to zer0, winning by a combined 4-0 goal count. They won 1-nil twice and in February ’09 by a score of 2-0.

That’s a distant rematch, I guess. Regardless, I think these are top-three teams. Logically, Brazil is better than England but England can easily beat Brazil, as well as Brazil can beat easily impose their style on England. If England is this good, I am picking them. I am a fan of the English game. If they were in the same position as say Germany or Italy (perhaps they will be in 2014), I’d never pick them to reach a Final. But they look good. If they can play great, they can win. Finally.

Good luck to them, because Spain is just superior to everyone.

They are led by the most underrated player in the world. People need to watch and see Messi miss Xavi more than the other way around. To say: “Well Spain is better” is invalid because many think Argentina are about as good and Argentina is definitely as good offensively and both guys play up, not back.

There are so many areas where this team is #1. Overall starting XI. Strikers. Midfield. Defence. Goalkeeping. Bench/depth. Experience. Most of all, with these things combined, they play well together. They look very close and tight-knit.

Perennial underachievers before Euro 2008, they were always disappointing when it’s mattered most in World Cups. I believe they are ready. Many have Brazil as the best and perhaps that’ll help the Spaniards a little by taking some minimal pressure off.

They have the drive, intelligence, and class to win this tournament.

After tying Brazil’s record of 35 matches unbeaten, they lost to red-hot streaking USA last summer. They also won 15 in a row, an international record, too. Prior to that, they hadn’t lost since November 15^th , 2006. They went from then to June 19^th , 2009 without losing a single match. They were undefeated for the whole 2007 and 2008 years! It was incredible. Maybe not as impressive but still as alarming to me (and should be to more people) - they have not lost since that game against the US last summer. And oh by the way, they’ve all been wins and no draws in the last calendar year. If they win the World Cup, they may lose one game in four years. That’s unheard of. And of course, winning some nice hardware along the way as well.

They are just a clear favourite to me. The Favourite among the small contingent of popular favourites. I trust them all the way around. From their fans humming to one of the few anthems in the world without lyrics to their elite old and experienced yet young and immature central defence pairing. From the political turmoil that still stains them back home to the best attack duo in the world. With the best possessive midfield in the world holding it all together from the core. They are the best. I expect them to play like it. And to exude class while doing it.

If there’s a man to beat Spain, it is Wayne Rooney. And it is no disrespect to him (I think he’s been the world’s best player this past season) but his team just doesn’t have enough to beat Spain.

England will score. I’ll go 3-2 in favour of The Red Fury .

And lastly, I think soccer will be HUGE after World Cup. Last fall as school was starting; we were already way into it. I cared, but not that much, about how my Red Devils were going to do this season. I was too anticipatory of the next summer. The bigger and far more important competition. This whole season was about leading up to the World Cup.

People will watch just because the games are on television. It’s difficult to find games for some people on Fox Soccer, Setanta, GolTV, what have you. There are so many different packages and it can be frustrating even for those who pay good attention to overseas play.

America is a melting pot of the world. Whether they’re cheering for the US or where they’re from, people pretty intent on the tournament. I think Americans will become greatly interested. I don’t exactly know why but maybe it’s just because there’s nothing else to do. And if that’s the reason, that’s fine. I don’t know what has made people more interested, but it’s happened. And it’s still a very small number if you did the percentages.

Soccer fans are the most passionate. There’s no disputing that. They have to do far more research and watching than NFL, NBA, or MLB fans. Probably combined. There are so many more leagues, teams, and players, not to mention rumours and aimless talking (that carries the most weight for such garbage haha) every single day.

Not saying that all the people who get turned onto the game this summer will be that passionate, but they’ll follow say one league very closely. Maybe not all of them, but the attention will vastly grow. I just have this feeling.

Since 2006, I have seen many more jerseys and people talking in the public than before that summer. Everything helps. Video games, there’s more coverage on SportsCenter. There used to be nothing. Now, with the Internet and technology changing daily, there’s much more exposure. In four years it won’t overtake the NFL or anything crazy like that, but there will be even more attention on it due to this summer’s tournament and all the people whose eyes it will captivate.

I will try to watch all 64 matches. I surely want to. There may be a yawner or two in the group stage but I’ll attempt to see it all. Watch what you can. Summer will suck and be boring soon enough in mid-July. But then there’s only a month ‘til next club season. And two years until Euro. Soccer never stops. Maybe that’s the best thing about it. The people who know this should cherish it this summer, and those that don’t will learn. Welcome to the club, newbies; look what you’ve been missing.