Countdown to Brazil: Off The Post

77 Days Until The 2014 FIFA World Cup: USA and Mexico Disappoint

With each day that passes, we are getting closer and closer to the start of the greatest sporting event in the world.  It's been a while since our last post, but hey, we aren't the only ones slacking here...after all, it was recently announced that Porto Alegre may not finish its stadium in time for the tournament!  Things surrounding the beautiful game take time, except for the rate at which Cuauahtemoc Blanco ages.  Also, we've added a fourth contributor to our weekly posts... Fernando Gireud is an ardent fan of El Tri, and while that may be a treacherous personal trait, he knows a ton about the game, having played and followed the sport far longer than Tito has been rocking a jerry curl (which really is a considerable amount of time).  He should prove to be an excellent foil to my anti-El Tri rants that are only inspired by my love for the Red, White, and Blue.  To keep you from waiting any longer, lets get into this week's topics.

1. The United States and Mexico both underwhelmed dramatically in their most recent friendlies.  Given their performances, which country has more to worry about right now?

Garrett:  There is no doubt that the performances of both teams left much to be desired. That being said, it's clear that Mexico has more to worry about at this stage of the game. Jurgen Klinsmann was missing a slew of important starters for the game in Cyprus. Both center backs, Omar Gonzales and Matt Besler, did not make the trip, and their value was proven immediately when Oguchi Onyewu and John Anthony Brooks conceded an easy goal. Also missing was Landon Donovan, whose importance needs no description.  The most notable absentee though was Michael Bradley, the engine of the midfield. Sam's Army is a completely different unit when he is on the pitch, and he is the one cog in the machine that you cannot afford to lose.

Contrast that with Mexico, who had just about every player available to them for their match in Atlanta, and yet they still performed poorly. Furthermore, they were familiar with their opponent, as this was their second time playing Nigeria in the past year! Even though Miguel Herrera has had more time on the job, it's evident that he has not come anywhere near fixing the problems that plagued Mexico in qualifying. They still fail to play as a team, lack creativity and purpose when going forward, and are led by a center back who is so far past his prime that even Fernando could probably juke him.

Don't get me wrong, the result in Cyprus still caused a bit of concern for me as a USMNT supporter, but our problems are nowhere near as large as Mexico's.

Kyle: Both teams played poorly, but I think Mexico has more problems given their fans' expectations. Since 1986, Mexico has qualified out of the World Cup group stage every time (did not participate in 1990 due to a World Cup ban) and their supporters will be expecting the same thing in 2014. I believe most U.S. supporters will be thrilled to qualify from the most difficult World Cup Group.

I believe Mexico's biggest problem is their defense and its lack of pace. It may be odd to criticize the defense after a 0-0 tie, but the Nigerians had some good goal scoring chances that should have been converted to goals. Rafa Marquez, 35, is too slow to cope with speedy attackers and he has already been named as a starter and the team's captain. Positioning and experience can help an older player like Marquez compensate for a lack of speed. In the first half against Nigeria, Mexico was turning the ball over far too often and it led to counterattacks which exposed Marquez and his fellow lead-footed defenders. Additionally, Marquez was not distributing the ball well from defense. He is a skilled player that is capable of making difficult 40 yard passes, but in my opinion, he tries to complete those passes more often than is effective. Diego Reyes is probably the fastest central defender for Mexico, but he probably won't start since he is playing for Porto's B team. He is a young, talented defender but it seemed the game play was too fast for him. Unfortunately for Miguel Herrera, he isn't going to be able to make his defensive line faster for the World Cup.

I'm not as concerned about Mexico's offense. I think Oribe Peralta is a quality forward who can score in the World Cup. Also, Gio Dos Santos was injured and didn't make the game. He is a quality playmaker who can make defense splitting passes, dribble by defenders, and score goals.

If Mexico can't fix or minimize their defensive problems, it will be very difficult for them to make it out of their group.

Tito: I began watching the Ukraine vs. US game with an analytic eye and ended up just shaking my head in disappointment. Seeing "Gooch" start at center back for the Red, White, and Blue made me understand that his name is a double meaning (check out urban dictionary to catch my drift); with him in the back I already felt like US was in an uphill climb. The exposure on the defense was evident, as much as I root for Castillo (considering I played against him), he kept getting caught out of position and not quick enough to handle the counter attack, or 1v1 defending for that matter. Dempsey was careless, lost, and had on his normal IDGAF face. Granted, there were glimmers of hope and a couple of minutes of strong play. They just were lacking a few clutch players (as my colleagues have recently mentioned).

Despite giving the US a hard time about how their game went, I really think that Mexico has much more to worry about for this WC showing. Their play was incredibly bad, lacking order, didn't show any sign of zeal, and their defense... OMG their defense is the worst I've ever seen. The fact that they had to bring back Rafa Marquez, who in his prime was impressively good (even got accolades while playing at Barcelona), is a sign that they don't trust any of their current defenders; like the one below. Mr. Huiqi plays just as good as the host from "Tales from the Crypt," and even kind of looks like him.
 

The creativity that the attack used to have seems to be lacking any ingenuity. They look like a passion-less team. The Mexican crowd is ruthless and they'll let their players know when they feel misrepresented. I have a feeling that they might be on track to have a showing a la France 2010. I am however, holding out a little until the little showing between USA and Mexico in Glendale April 2nd.

Fernando:  The performances of both national teams was disappointing given the fact that this is the last official FIFA date available to all the players. That being said, the biggest disappointment was by far Mexico.

As a strong supporter of the Mexican National Team, seeing the team in such a state of disarray so close to the World Cup is troubling. Although I understand the reason that "El Piojo" Herrera has brought on Rafa Marquez, this is reminiscent of Javier Aguirre bringing Cuauhtemoc Blanco to the 2010 World Cup. Both Marquez and Blanco were brought back to the team during a time where the national team was lacking character and leadership. Except there's one thing missing from this equation. Blanco was not a defensive liability. Sure he was a shell of himself when he was on the field, but he was still able to get a free kick in a dangerous situation, or create a dangerous play every once in a while. All of these plays came on the attacking half of the field. Marquez on the other hand is slow. Very slow. When you're on defense, this is a recipe for disaster. Garrett, you're right, I would be able to juke him. Nigeria was able to run past him countless times and it's not going to get much easier when facing the speedy Brazilian and Cameroon forwards.

Mexico also has other problems all over the field.  European players such as Andres Guardado and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez are not responding well in either club or country. Guardado was recently sent on loan to Bayer Leverkusen after he failed to break into the Valencia starting XI. Both Chicharito and Guardado are struggling to find meaningful playing time and are having a hard time winning the trust of their coaches. This was also supposed to be an opportunity for Gio Dos Santos to rejoin the Mexican National Team under Herrera and demonstrate the ability he's been showcasing at Villarreal. However, due to injury, Gio Dos Santos was not able to make the trip.

There are a few bright spots though. Oribe Peralta demonstrated once again that he should be one of the starters come World Cup time. Guillermo Ochoa also made the argument that he should be in the running for starting goalkeeper after his performance against Nigeria.

All in all, the Mexican National Team is in for a very short run at the World Cup unless they are able to fix their positioning, personnel, and attitude before the World Cup. That's a lot of issues.


2.  The USMNT and El Tri weren't the only ones partaking in friendly action, as nearly every World Cup team also took the pitch.  Which teams and performances stood out to you most?

Garrett:  Belgium's game against Cote d'Ivoire provided one of the more intriguing matchups among the friendlies that contained two World Cup teams.  The matchup provided important opportunities for both teams: for Cote d'Ivoire, it allowed them to gauge where they stood against one of the World Cup favorites; for Belgium, it gave them an opportunity to get back on track against a good team that they should beat, after a string of uninspiring results (home losses to both Japan and Colombia).  When the final whistle blew with both teams level on two goals, we were still left with some questions about both teams.  Belgium was able to jump out to a 2-0 lead, but Cote d'Ivoire controlled possession, and conceding two goals in the final fifteen minutes of the game has to cause some to ponder if this team lacks focus or a "killer instinct" due to its youth, even if this was just a friendly.  Conversely, Cote d'Ivoire has to be proud of themselves for fighting back the way they did, but falling into such a hole has to be worrisome when you take into account how difficult it is to erase a deficit in a World Cup, where the level of focus and emphasis on defense is much higher.

All things considered, the game really didn't provide us any new information.  Belgium is still likely to win its group, yet you can't have any confidence in predicting how this team will perform against quality opposition in the knockout rounds.  Predicting the winner of Cote d'Ivoire's group is still a crapshoot after Falcao's injury, as Didier Drogba and Co. failed to announce themselves as favorites to come out of Group C on top.  

Kyle: I was able to watch some of the Chile-Germany game and I was very impressed with Chile even though they lost 1-0. The game was played against Germany's first team in Stuttgart, but Chile was the attacking team. Chile presses high up the field and plays a fast paced attacking style that can leave them vulnerable to a counterattack. In their loss to Germany, Chile demonstrated they can play that same style in a hostile environment and compete with one of the best teams in the world.

Make it a point to watch Chile play this World Cup. Chile were last held scoreless at Peru early last year (12 games prior) and during that span of games beat England 2-0 at Wembley Stadium. This is a team which attacks and scores. Chile fields well known world class players like Arturo Vidal (Juventus) and Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) and have hard working players such as Gary Medel. They are in a very difficult group with Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia, but I like them to qualify as the second team from the group and face Brazil in a replay of the 2010 World Cup knockout round.

Tito: During this set of international friendlies, I was really looking forward to seeing the teams that make up Group G. Although the games like Spain v Italy (to watch good soccer), Colombia v Tunisia (to see the front line without Falcao), and England v Denmark (because I like watching the Brits squirm), were incredibly appealing, I did want to focus on the probability of the United States advancing. As Kyle already discussed the German game, and Fernando broke down the Portugal thrashing... I want to discuss the game that the Black Stars signed up to play. Ghana sent a strong side to Montenegro in order to get a good team play just a few months before the World Cup. The likes of Asamoah, Essien, and Ayew were sent to represent their country. 

Within the first minute, Ghana's left side of the defense was exposed by Montenegro. Montenegro was able to get a penalty kick due to a filtered pass and a tackle inside the box. Once the game settled, Ghana did show to be the more dominant team infiltrating the Montenegro defense on many occasions. Furthermore, the physical nature of Ghana was far superior to that of the home side. Both teams did have their chances, but I would say that Ghana's defense seems to be the weakest part of their team. Although they didn't score (on a very defensive side), their pace and very direct tactics can cause problems for those in Group G. The speed that Ghana possesses will wreak havoc on slower defensive players (Gooch, Castillo, Besler, etc). African teams, especially in the more recent World Cups, have been breaking ground and getting into the deeper parts of the tournament. This Ghana team is said to be the best team coming out of Africa and should definitely be seen as a team that can do well if disregarded. USA will have a tough task, but making sure that they establish a slower paced game, one with possession, player positioning, and ball movement, will stifle Ghana's need for explosion and directness. 

Fernando: Although I'm not as concerned as Garrett, the result in the USA v. Ukraine game brought back memories of problems the US has faced before.

First, I want to point out that Klinsmann is a great coach and motivator and has proven throughout his tenure as the USMNT coach that he is able to bring in the appropriate players at the right time and during the most pressing situations. Taking into account the circumstances surrounding the USA v. Ukraine game, I think the USMNT was able to respond well during a time of uncertainty and chaos.  Going from canceling the game last minute, to traveling to Cyprus to play a friendly, was difficult enough.

However, there is cause for concern in what has typically been the U.S.'s achilles heal, the forwards. Clint Dempsey is still trying to find his form with Seattle Sounders and his most recent loan to Fulham didn't do much to reinforce his reputation as one of the USMNT's best players. Jozy Altidore is also struggling to find his form as he continues to try and earn a consistent place on Sunderland's starting XI. Come World Cup time, I have full faith that Klinsmann will have this sorted out and be able to bring out the best in the USMNT.

The other game that comes to my attention is the Portugal v. Cameroon game. Both teams are World Cup bound, but I felt that Portugal made the greatest statement. The USMNT already knew it was going to have a tough time containing Cristiano Ronaldo, but Portugal's recent 5-1 thrashing of Cameroon should have served as a wake up call if they weren't already aware of the power that Portugal would be bringing to Brazil. Many people have predicted that the key to the USMNT's success at the World Cup would be the game against Portugal, and I agree. I believe the U.S. will get past Ghana in the first game but will be overmatched against Germany in the last group game. Unfortunately for the U.S., Portugal demonstrated that other players besides Ronaldo can score and this came from the likes of defenders as well as midfielders.  If the U.S. has any chance of making it into the second round, I believe that beating Portugal is key.

3.  It seems that no one is talking about the African or Asian teams ahead of this year's tournament.  Which team from these confederations are you most looking forward to watching this summer?

Garrett: Considering what happened in last year's Confederations Cup, I'm really looking forward to seeing if Japan can continue to bounce back from their dismal showing in Brazil.  The Samurai Blue were always going to be underdogs last summer after being paired with Brazil, Italy, and Mexico in the group stage. Yet no one could foresee the defensive collapse the Japanese endured as they failed to attain any points in the group.  Though their last two games against Italy and Mexico were close, entertaining contests, Alberto Zaccheroni's men conceded nine goals over their three games, a stunning average of three per game.

Since then, Japan has been on a roll, garnering a very impressive string of results in friendlies.  Wins against Ghana and Belgium, two very formidable opponents, and a draw against the Dutch (2010 World Cup runner ups) showed that this team is capable of hanging with, and beating some of the world's best teams.  They have world class attacking talent in AC Milan man Keisuke Honda, and Shinji Kagawa, who can still impress for his country despite David Moyes not favoring him in Manchester.  Given Falcao's injury for Colombia, Honda and Kagawa have a very good chance at firing their country to winning Group C.  It all just depends on which back line shows up for the Samurai Blue in Brazil...

Kyle: In order to provide some variety, I'll select Ghana. In general, I enjoy watching both the Asian teams with their focus on passing, running, and playing as a collective unit as well as African teams' joy, individual brilliance, and attacking flair. Although I don't want Ghana to do well, they have the talent to survive The Group of Death.

The Black Stars have impressed in the past two World Cups where they eliminated the U.S. on both occasions. In 2006, Ghana lost in the Round of 16 to Brazil and in 2010 were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Uruguay. In the infamous Luis Suarez handball game, Ghana was on the verge of qualifying to the semifinals when Suarez stopped a definite goal late in extra-time by using his hand, Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty, and Ghana lost in a penalty in shootout. Ghana's players have recent World Cup knockout experience which is more than can be said for the other African or Asian teams.

In addition to their World Cup experience, Ghana's players ply their trade with top football clubs. For example, Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Kwadwoh Asamoah (Juventus), Michael Essien (AC Milan), and Kevin Prince Boateng (Schalke) all play for Champions League teams. Ghanaian players are also found playing in France, Belgium, and Greece. The Black Stars are accustomed to training with elite players and playing in high pressure games. Given their history and talent, I think Ghana will embrace their underdog status and play quality soccer in Brazil.

Tito: Group B.. incredible Group B... upon a quick glance of the group you automatically think Spain and Netherlands will advance. Then you start to dive into how Chile is a very capable team and could upset one of those big two. Then you look at the fourth team and just shake your head.... you think... poor 'Roos.... they've been put in a stacked group! Australian soccer has come a long way. This will be their 4th appearance in a WC, their third in a row as they made it to the Round of 16 in 2006 and failed to get out of group play in 2010. 2014 seems like it will be a repeat of 2010, but I am really looking to them to mix some stuff up in that group.... Get a win here, a tie there. I want Australia to hold their own. 

Compared to the "Big Teams," the Socceroos have found some difficult times, losing to Brazil and to France quite heavily late in 2013. But they also beat Canada 3-0 and Costa Rica 1-0, and being from CONCACAF, I can honestly say that these last two teams aren't too bad. Do I expect them to come of the group? No. But do I want them to? Also, no. I am rooting for Spain and Chile... I just want the Aussies to get third and finish ahead of those damn Dutch!

Fernando: The team I'm looking forward to watching is Cote d'Ivoire. This team has come into the last two world cups as the strongest team out of the African Continent and one of the favorites to advance far in the tournament. Unfortunately for them, they have also crashed out in the group stages after having to face two powerhouse teams. In 2006, they faced Argentina and Netherlands while in 2010, they faced Portugal and Brazil. This shouldn't be an excuse due to the fact that if you're considered a top team, you should be able to compete and beat other top teams. This unfortunately wasn't the case.

The reason I'm so intrigued by this years team is because of the fact that this is certainly the end of Cote d'Ivoire's golden generation. Players such as Kolo Toure (32), Yaya Toure (30), and Didier Drogba (36), are all nearing the end of their career. While they have become great players for both club and country, the team has not been able to succeed outside of Africa. This most likely will be the last chance for the golden generation of Cote d'Ivoire.


4. "Throwback Thursday" and "Flashback Friday" seem to be all the rage amongst the kids these days on social media, so lets end this week's edition with a look back to the past.  Which game, individual performance, or goal comes to your mind when you think about the World Cup?

Garrett: The USMNT's run in the 2002 World Cup may have solidified my love of this great game, but nothing epitomizes what the World Cup is about than Zidane's performance in Germany in 2006.  No individual performance provided so many incredible stories from so many different angles.

Before the tournament had even begun the narratives were already beginning to unfold. Zidane, at the urging of manger Raymond Domenech, came out of international retirement to rescue France in the qualification stage and seal their ticket to Germany.  He then set the tone for the entire summer by announcing that he would retire from the game altogether at the end of the World Cup.  Zidane would always be a national hero for leading France to victory on home soil in the 1998 World Cup, and one of the game's greats for his performances for both country and club.  Yet by announcing his retirement before the tournament began, it provided him one last opportunity to seal his place in history.  Boy did he ever, in more ways than one.

After barely escaping the group by beating Togo 2-0 in the final game (where Zidane had to watch from the sidelines due to suspension), Zizou led France to a 2-1 comeback victory over Spain in the Round of 16. While Zidane did play well in that game, it wouldn't come anywhere close to the display he put on against Brazil in the quarterfinals.  The Selecao were defending champions, and heavy favorites against the French despite both being two of the world's best teams.  Yet this Brazilian team was absolutely loaded.  They may now be shells of what they once were, but Brazil's 2006 squad was led by Ronaldinho and Kaka, arguably the two best players in the world at the time.  Throw in a formidable center back pairing of Lucio and Juan, and veteran leaders like Roberto Carlos, Cafu, and Ronaldo, and it's clear why this team was favored to win it all.  But none of this mattered to Zidane...

What Zidane did to Brazil that night in Frankfurt will be remembered for ages.  At the age of 34, he was at the death of his career, and his physical abilities had started to fade, as they do for every aging athlete.  Despite not having the speed and power he once possessed, Zidane still controlled the game from the middle of the pitch.  Every touch on the ball was simple, and filled with beauty and grace.  It often times looked like Brazil players where sprinting all about the pitch in pursuit of Zidane, who was just taking a leisurely stroll in the park.  He single-handedly ruined the Selecao midfield. Just about every set piece threatened Brazil's net, not to mention the game-winning delivery he provided Thierry Henry early in the second half.  I could go on and on about this performance, but you only need to watch the video below to see for yourself.

Though that performance against Brazil was arguably the masterpiece of his career (which is really saying something when taking into account he scored the first two goals of the 1998 World Cup Final), Zidane's performance at the 2006 World Cup will always be remembered primarily for the head-butt he gave Marco Materazzi in the final.  After scoring one of the cheekiest chip penalties in history (seriously, he had the ONIONS to hit a CHIP PENALTY in a WORLD CUP FINAL), he was sent off notoriously in extra time for his conduct, and France later lost the trophy in penalties.  Had he not put his head into Materazzi's chest, his place in history is forever changed, regardless of the final result.  Combined with all that happened before it, Zidane's 2006 World Cup provided every emotion you can think of when the tournament comes to mind.  You had the suspense, when France not making it out of the group was a real possibility.  You had the jaw-dropping amazement induced by his performance against Brazil, the likes of which people will never forget, in addition to the underdog upsetting the perennial favorite.  Lastly, you had the heartbreak, and the forever lingering "what-ifs?" caused by his actions in the final against Italy, as Zidane left the game in shame, instead of victory.

In my mind, he's still the greatest player of all time, despite the popular notions people have about Pele and Maradona.  While all the club accolades are great, what he meant to France is the proving point. His leadership, skill, and ability to inspire those around him is evident from the contrast in how bad France tanked in 2002 without him (as defending champions, with a squad full of talent), and how he led France to the World Cup Final in the two tournaments he was healthy, at the bookends of his career, winning the one on home soil.  But it will always be the performance in 2006 that makes me think about the World Cup more than any other, especially that incredible night in Frankfurt.

Kyle: I agree with my colleagues' selections. I agree with Garrett about Zizou being the best individual performance I remember watching in a World Cup. To me, Zidane's penalty kick was the most memorable World Cup goal I've seen live on television. Maxi Rodriguez's goal against Mexico was fantastic and was devastating as it came in injury time against one of my favorite teams. There is no way I can argue with Tito's selection of what many believe is the best goal ever scored.

Since my colleagues have done such a fine job detailing some of my favorite World Cup moments, I'm going to go off-script. The thing I remember most about watching the World Cups is the Brazil airport commercial for World Cup 1998. Yes, a commercial. I know I've linked to the commercial before, but I have the pulpit so it's time to discuss in detail.

I was amazed by the players' joy generated by messing around with the soccer ball. It was the first time I remembered thinking that kicking a soccer ball can be fun in itself. Soccer shouldn't be all about hard work and tough tackling. Look, the Brazilians have fun playing soccer in an airport after their flight is delayed! It was then I realized that soccer should be fun and not a chore. It's about enjoying either playing or watching the beautiful game.

Also, I loved the music. If you don't like Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, then don't talk to me. Finally, I want to give a shout out to my mom who had a Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 album in the house growing up (I'll be claiming it next time I'm in town). The album was a sign from a higher power that the Brazil World Cup commercial was going to have an unnaturally large impact on my life.

In sum, have fun playing and watching soccer. Then drink a caipirinha and listen to the sweet sounds of Sergio. Obrigado, Brasil.

Tito: Note: listen to this song as you're reading my section: Rodrigo - La Mano de Dios... You're know you're a badass when you have a song dedicated to you...

Although I was born in 1985, I have seen so many games that they tally to before I was born. One of my hobbies is to look at old videos and games to see the progression of games. So going through my mental catalog of all the World Cup games that I have seen, one game really stands above the rest. One individual that shows his influence over a game. One individual that embodies leadership, skill, and natural ability. This game has been in the record books as one of the best displays of an individual, and furthermore, has more controversy than a "Jersey Shore Episode." 

At the tender age of 25, Diego Armando Maradona (captain of Argentina) influenced the 1986 World Cup more than any other person, in any World Cup I dare to say. The manner in which Fernando describes Zidane in the '98 WC is the same way that Maradona influenced the '86 WC. Furthermore, Zidane's controversy occurred 8 years later, Maradona was not only larger than life leading Argentina to their second title, but this was the first sighting of "the hand of God."

 

The game that I most remember, and I'm sure for that matter so does anyone watching that WC will remember, is how this diminutive 5'5" legend of the game destroyed the entire country of England in 2 plays. Check em out! "La Mano de Dios (the Hand of God)" is seen by many as cheating; I'll assume those are just the British. Mostly everyone else, sees that as genius. Looking at the video, you can hear the announcer say that England had done a good job in keeping Maradona contained, and the moment those words left the announcers lips, Maradona's change of pace killed 3 defenders, and with his pass (that luckily came back to him considering the defender popped it in the air) ruled out another 3, leaving him to jump and put his fist into the ball... which then goes into the goal. Marvelous! That takes creativity and some large confidence to pull a maneuver like that in the World Cup.

Although "the Hand of God" is a great goal, I think the better goal is the second of that game. When receiving the ball he knows exactly where he wants to go, but leads the lead defender with his body to fake like he will do something else. That sets him up to have an open run down field. From the moment the ball touches his feet, it takes him just under 10 seconds to get the ball into the back of the net. His ball control on a full sprint is incredible. As a kid, the impression that Maradona had on the field stayed with me. Not many people have the impact that Maradona has had on an national team, and that is why the likes of Pele with Brazil, Zidane with France, and even Beckenbauer for Germany has left a resounding impact on the game. These types of legends will never be forgotten. I hope that for this year's WC, we can talk about a player's impact on a team the way that so few have done in the past. 

 

Fernando: I'm going to go ahead and list two games because of the stark contrast that they have regarding my memories of the World Cup.

The first is the France v. Brazil final in the 1998 World Cup. Although I'm a heavy supporter of El Tri, I am proud to be of French heritage and therefore, was excited when Zidane and Co. got to showcase their skills against the all powerful Brazil. The anticipation for this game was beyond belief as this was the first World Cup that I was able to watch in its entirety. The game featured two great styles of play, including a game for the ages by Zidane. He had previously been labeled as a choke artist in his biggest games with Juventus in the Champions League, but he would remove that label once and for all with his performance throughout the World Cup and the Final. However, what stands out the most from this game, is that I was able to tell before the game started that France was going to take the match. This right here is the reason why. Seeing the energy in the crowd made me believe that there was no way that France was going to lose the game. The resulting 3-0 scoreline proved me right.  Thank you Zidane.

The second game that comes to mind is one that caused me so much pain. As a lifelong fan of El Tri, watching Mexico step up in the biggest competitions only to lose has been a lifetime of suffering. There is a saying when it comes to the Mexican National Team in big games: "Jugamos como nunca, y perdimos como siempre!"  (Translation - We played like never before, and we lost like always!) The 2nd round game between Mexico and Argentina in the 2006 World Cup in Germany was a good example of that.  The game went into extra time and Argentina won the game with a score of 2-1.  This game made me experience a range of emotions. Starting with an excitement that this would be the first time I witnessed Mexico qualify to the quarterfinals, to a "we got this" feeling, followed by anxiousness as El Tri went into extra time, and finishing with complete disbelief at the game I was seeing. This moment right here caused me the most pain. At the time I was in a state of shock. I couldn't believe what I was watching and when the game ended I remember walking around the streets of Brussels wondering if I had really just finished watching that game.

I look back at these games now and realize that it displays both the beauty of football, and the agony of it as well.  One second you're in a state of euphoria, while all the while expecting the worst.  Simply put, its like striking the ball perfect and away from the keeper, only to see it go off the post.


We hope you enjoyed this week's post, and stay tuned for another edition of Off The Post!

Countdown to Brazil: Off The Post

99 Days Away From The World's Greatest Sporting Event

It's been awhile, but Off The Post is back.  We thought we would change things up a bit this week, and delve into some more personal aspects of our fandom, while also getting into the realm of predictions and fantasy.  If only fantasy could become reality, then we would have an actual competent individual running FIFA! To ensure that Landon Donovan still has hair by the time you are done reading this week's edition, lets jump right into the topics.

1. Which player do you anticipate being the biggest villain in this World Cup?

Garrett:  For this World Cup, you're more likely to find villains off the pitch.  After all, Sepp Blatter still walks the planet, and you never know the moronic things Public Enemy #1 will say or do.  Who knows, Sepp may try and get the next World Cup to be hosted by Antarctica.  Blatter gonna Blatter, y'all.  If not Sepp Blatter, the entire country of Brazil could become a villain.  Now, I sure hope that isn't the case, but one can't ignore the riots that occurred in the country during last summer's Confederations Cup.  However, the question posed focuses strictly on players, providing a task that is unfortunately far harder to predict and accomplish than hating on Sepp Blatter.

To assess who fits the bill for a villain this year, you have to look to years past.  In 2010, it was Luis Suarez for his intentional hand-ball in the quarterfinals against Ghana.  Four years prior, Zidane's power header into Marco Materazzi's chest forever secured Zizou's spot in infamy.  And twelve years ago, everyone rightfully criticized the Brazilian Rivaldo for his feigning antics in their group game against Turkey, right in front of the linesmen.  Based off those three examples, we've got three things to look for in villains: cheaters, brutes, and terrible actors.  Luckily, there is one person who meets all three...

As much as I'd like to select Sergio Busquets, the Barcelona man is only known for horrendous diving. Likewise, Wayne Rooney could once again turn villain should his well-known temper flare ups.  Mostly though, I just wanted an excuse for sharing that excellent photoshop up above. If you're looking for the man to cause the most controversy in Brazil this summer, look no further than Cristiano Ronaldo.  The man's talent is often only eclipsed by his ability to fake the referee into giving him free kicks (which he is incredibly good at).  Furthermore, he's been known to lash out at players, and even coaches (granted, you'd too probably lash out at the Barcelona Screen Actors Guild FC if you had to play them five times in a season).  The "cheating" aspect may be a bit of a stretch, but you can't doubt Cristiano's win-at-all-costs mentality if you've watched him play over the years.

All you have to do to imagine the level of villainy that can be reached is envision this scenario....Late in the game, against the United States, with the score tied, Cristiano takes one of his patented dives (despite his ability to get past our MLS center backs), then hits one of his patented free kicks into the back of the net to essentially kill any chance we had at advancing from the group.  Yup, CR7 is the most likely candidate to be the villain of the 2014 World Cup.

Kyle: I'm going with Arjen Robben, but I doubt his actions will generate the same publicity as Luis Suarez's intentional hand ball in 2010. "The Oranje" are known for playing attractive, attacking soccer, but Robben is a master of soccer's dark arts.

I can't stand watching Arjen Robben. Every time I see him with the ball I hope a defender stops him, and when Robben inevitably starts complaining to the ref, clears the ball off his face. Robben is an extremely talented player that does not need to dive in order to trick the referee. The second half of this video shows Robben at his worst.

In the upcoming tournament, I can envision a similar situation to the 2010 World Cup Final where Arjen Robben was involved in a controversial refereeing decision that detracted from the actual game. Watch as Arjen feels aggrieved and sprints 30 yards across the field to scream at the referee. Schadenfreude can feel so good.

I'll go on an aside and discuss diving and my favorite club team, FC Barcelona. I'm sure Garrett will think I'm being hypocritical by criticizing Robben when Barca players are accused of diving. First, I am selecting a player who may be a villain in this upcoming World Cup due to simulating fouls, and I know there are other players who meet this criteria such as Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez. Second, I believe Barca players are generally honest players with the exceptions of Busquets and possibly Dani Alves. It upsets me when they feign injury. Iniesta, Messi, and Xavi are small players that are easier to knock them down. Just because a player falls down on a fair challenge doesn't mean the player was diving. Sometimes players fall because of a fair challenge and get back up without complaining. Neymar has a reputation as someone who goes down easily and I hope he changes his habits.

Tito: Villains, in this day and age, are praised. There are three possible "villains" that come to mind when it comes to this summer's World Cup. The first, and probably the most notorious, is Mario Balotelli. However, since he was emphasized in an earlier post, I'm going to deter from picking him. The second bad boy in football is Nigel de Jong. His ninja flying kick into Xabi Alonso's chest still shocks me (fast forward to 2:28). How that wasn't a yellow is beyond me. But I reserve the role of villain for someone even more special. This special someone is none other than our Portuguese heavy hitter...Madrid's enforcer... Pepe.

Pepe has been on my radar of the most despicable players for years. He's one of the most ruthless individuals on the pitch. He is the worst of both worlds. Pepe blatantly kicks, elbows, steps, and grabs AND will be one of the first to hit the ground at any sign of retaliation. I think I've seen him hit the floor with just a pair of glaring eyes... ok ok, that last part was a little much, but I will definitely not be surprised if this is the World Cup that sends him to notoriety. Pepe's masterpieces will continue to follow him throught his career. This guy has a highlight reel of hits that look more like boxing events between Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward than soccer.

This guy not only puts beatings on players, but he is also ridiculous enough to claim innocence and surprise when cards get pulled out. This is the type of player makes me boil. But he takes it a step further, he goes beyond just cracking players and act surprised, he is also one of the biggest floppers around when push does come to shove. I've scene this guy fake a hit, drop to the ground, and roll over screaming bloody murder. I think he'll end up getting an Oscar before Leonardo DiCaprio.

2. Which World Cup team do you dislike the most?

Garrett: Ha, this is an easy one.  Is there really an acceptable answer here other than Mexico?  I mean, you could make an argument for Spain due to their status as perennial favorite over the past few years, and their propensity to act like they are up for an Academy Award.  But at least they are a good team, and they are gracious in defeat. The more I try to look for other teams to hate on, the more I realize that Mexico can be the only one.

If we're going to trace my severe dislike for El Tri, the only acceptable place to start is 2002.  This was the summer that started it all for me as a soccer fan, where I became truly aware of the world's game.  I was only 13 at the time, and would spend my summer nights sleeping on a (very uncomfortable) pullout couch in the TV room, setting my alarm clock to wake me up in the middle of the night so I could watch whatever World Cup game piqued my interest.  While the USA vs. Portugal game was incredible, as was the England vs. Argentina rematch, nothing compared to USA vs. Mexico in the Round of 16.  Living in a border town, all I heard from friends and news stations was how we stood no chance against the Mexicans.  They had more experience than us on the big stage, better players, etc.  Yet we had something that Mexico still hasn't been able to acquire to this day...that good old American spirit of fighting till the end, and beating your opponent through sheer will and determination.  Some would call it "playing with heart."  What happened on that June day in Jeonju will never be forgotten by American fans, and it has changed the rivalry forever.  But what is the lasting image in my mind? Rafa Marquez, late in the game with the Mexicans down 2-0, goes in for a horrible aerial attack (can't really call it a challenge, as that would imply there was an actual attempt at playing the ball) on Cobi Jones, and rightly receives a straight red card.  It was the move of scum, sore losers who have no respect for their opponents.  It forever shaped my view of the Mexican national team, and has been reinforced throughout the years.  Much can't be said about Mexico in a positive manner when their fans throw bottles of urine at players when they are taking corners, or when their players continue to try and take out opponents out of frustration.  Think that Rafa Marquez incident was a one time incident? It happened again in 2009.

Many of my friends will rush to the defense of El Tri, but personally, it's impossible to change my views on this team after watching how they (the players and their fans) have carried themselves over the past decade.  I can't wait to see them eliminated from this summer's tournament, most likely in embarrassing fashion.

Kyle: I'll select Germany, but they are becoming harder to cheer against. I picked Germany for three reasons: I've disliked their playing style, I don't cheer for favorites unless it's my team, and Germany defeated my favorite teams in recent World Cups.

Until 2006, I didn't enjoy Germany's playing style. Prior to 2006, Germany played disciplined, robotic soccer. They were strong, physical, and well-positioned. Their style was effective but not entertaining. "Die Mannschaft" has produced very talented players such as Franz Beckenbauer and Jurgen Klinnsmann, but their teams were known more for winning close games with typical German efficiency than winning over fans with beautiful soccer. Since 2006, Germany changed their style and plays more aesthetically pleasing soccer utilizing talented playmakers such as Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Mueller. In addition, Phillip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are two of my favorite soccer players. It's getting harder to for me to dislike Germany with their change in style and abundance of talented players.

Another reason I picked Germany is that I don't generally cheer for powerhouse teams. I didn't like Jordan's Chicago Bulls, the Cowboys in the 1990s, or the Kobe/Shaq Lakers. Maybe that explains my dislike of the German National Team. They are historically great and have been consistently good since 2006. Germany won the World Cup three times, which puts them in third place all time behind Brazil (5) and Italy (4). Former England international Gary Lineker stated "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase the ball around for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win." Well said, Mr. Lineker.

Lastly, Germany defeated my two favorite teams, the U.S. and Mexico, several times since 1998. In 1998, Germany beat the U.S. in the group stages and knocked Mexico out of the World Cup in a close quarterfinals game. In 2002, Germany beat the U.S. in the quarterfinals.

Tito: I most definitely want to state Mexico as my most disliked team. But I must say, Garrett has done a great job in emphasizing and showing that for the both of us. Considering Mexico has been bashed enough, I will take this opportunity to say that I have begun to hate the Dutch soccer... That's right, the Dutch. This is a team that has never ever delivered and has so much talent.

The Orange Machine, as many know them by, developed Total 90 football.  They have Robin Van Persie leading the front lines along with Robben, and others like van der Vaart and other "van der" this and "van der" that. Yet, this squad of playmakers managed to be the dirtiest team in the 2010 WC. I'll admit, in 2010 I was hoping for a good showing, but even though they made it to the final, their style of play was surrounded by the hits of van Bommel, de Jong, and Heitinga. The 2012 Euros rolled around and Netherlands' lackluster play generated criticism from the infamous Johan Cruyff. He stated that the team's star players had poor build up play and sloppy execution. Granted, they were in the group of death with Germany, Portugal, and Denmark... but Netherlands lost ALL of their games, and only two years after being in the World Cup finals.

They have been grouped with Spain, Chile, and Australia, for this years' World Cup and I sincerely wish that the Dutch don't make it out of the group stage in the same fashion as the Euros... Top talent, little imagination, they are completely over-hyped... they constantly under-deliver... and for these reasons, they are my most disliked team.

3. Which World Cup team is your favorite?

Garrett:  Based on my answer to the preceding question, you already know my team is Sam's Army.  In terms of sporting events I get up for most, the only thing that compares to a U.S. soccer game is when my beloved Texas Longhorns take the football field.  Ever since the 2002 World Cup, I've lived and died with every competitive game the U.S. has played.  I remember the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. My father and I cheered with euphoria when we beat Mexico that summer, and cursed Oliver Kahn's name every time he denied us in the quarterfinal we should have won.  I'll never forget the epic draw with Italy in 2006 that was really more of a war than a game, only to see us unable to take down Ghana.  Nor will I forget the unbelievable summer of 2009: the miracle of beating Egypt and advancing to the semifinals of the Confederations Cup on a tiebreaker; beating Spain, the best team in the world, by two goals; and taking a two goal lead on Brazil in the final, only to give it all away as if Jeff Agoos was once again commanding our back line. Then there was the 2010 World Cup, which brought with it the full spectrum of emotions.  There was the incredible comeback against lowly Slovenia, and arguably the most horrendous call in the history of officiating by Koman Coulibaly.  A few days after that, my mother watched me and my friends shed tears of joy and yell at the top of our lungs when Landon Donovan scored the most important goal in the history of U.S. soccer, and sent us through to the knockout rounds.  To this day, I still get goosebumps when thinking about that moment.  Finally, there was the anguish of falling to Ghana in extra time in the Round of 16, when a victory could have very well meant a berth in the semis given how Ghana competed with Uruguay.

We've never been the most talented team, and we probably never will be in this sport.  Yet we never say die, and our boys always leave everything that they have out on the pitch.  They play not only for each other, but for the betterment of the game itself, hoping that their performances will inspire Americans to follow the game more, and for youth to kick the ball around instead of throwing a pigskin. It's for these reasons that I can always be proud of our team's performances, no matter the result, and also why I will always be proud to wear the crest and the colors.

Kyle: I'm a U.S. supporter. I was born and raised in the U.S. and grew up cheering for the USMNT. Like any sports team, the USMNT has brought both happiness and sadness. I remember the U.S. upsetting Colombia to advance to the knockout rounds in the '94 World Cup, not winning a single game in France '98, and upsetting Portugal in Korea/Japan '02.

I enjoy how the USMNT work hard for each other, play solid defense, and seem to get along. I'm proud to support a team that works hard because not everyone can be technically gifted. A player must work harder if he doesn't possess other technical skills. After all, not every team can be blessed with highly technical players like Messi and Ronaldo, just like not every team can be blessed with certain physical traits. The U.S. maximizes their strengths, which is the wise thing to do.

Tito: Interestingly enough, I am completely torn at this stage. I would genuinely have to say that I can't decide between my top two favorite teams. For CONTROVERSY'S sake, although I am incredibly adamant about the United States soccer team, I will say Brazil. Before I get bashed for being UN-American hear me out... I know I will be getting grief from those that I know, and yes I was born states-side, soccer growing up was definitely an unpopular sport. Did I get made fun of for playing the game? Yes. Did I care? No. Now, who made fun of me? My fellow, non-soccer playing, "Americans." I give this story because it was difficult for me to want to root for a country when the people in the US didn't even appreciate the game, but as I grew older my love for the USMNT has grown. But it's true, my first national team love was Brazil.

Many people will probably say I root for Brazil because they have the most World Cups and generate the best players, etc. But my love for the Brazilian team stems from when I was an infant. As you may know, I was the first person in my family born in the United States and we come from the humble country of Nicaragua. The national sport for Nicaragua is baseball, followed by boxing, and in third place is soccer. Given that, since I was in the United States (and this was before we could get every soccer channel under the sun on TV and internet), we were limited to certain soccer games. But the stories that my dad would tell me about the Brazilians just fascinated me. When I was a kid I would get coaches calling me "little Pele"; when I had to do reports for school it involved individuals like Garrincha, Pele, Rivelino, Carlos Alberto, Socrates, etc. (I'm sure my teachers loved reading my write-ups haha I mean, how could they not!).

Everything about soccer that I loved and still love has evolved around the Brazilian style of play. Unlike the British and American way of soccer, where the crowd will go wild over a hard crashing tackle, I was much more intrigued by the jukes and megs on the field. When my Dad and I would watch games, we would always be discussing the Brazilians. Granted, they now hold 5 World Cup titles (1958, '62, '70, '94, and 2002), more than any other country, and rightly so. Watching them play is exciting. Even during the Dunga days where the team was more defensive, they had more talent than most of the teams combined. The players that have emerged from Brazil are nearly incomparable. From those that I previously mentioned to the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Romario, Bebeto, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Carlos Alberto, Neymar (although his talent is just beginning to emerge)... the list literally goes on and on.

I can't have enough praise for Brazil when it comes to soccer, as they can literally make a national team and have them be competitive at almost every street corner (a bit of hyperbole, but it was to emphasize their talent pool is extraordinary). I can't wait to see the goals, the dancing, the joy of watching them play... it is apparent that they really enjoy playing the game and they are the few that actually smile while playing. This happiness for the game transcends into their style of flair and attack.

Joga Bonito

4. Which World Cup team is your second favorite?

Garrett: While Kyle may not like the Germans, I love watching them perform in international tournaments.  Most people will hate them because they are perennial favorites, but I admire them for their continuous success despite different managers, and changes in style.  (Not to mention I love the despair they cause for my Argentinean friends in every World Cup!)

Think back to 2002, when the Germans won based on efficiency, tight defense, physical prowess, and the Great Wall of Kahn.  That team had a lot of deficiencies, and should have lost to the U.S. in the quarterfinals, but they still found a way to make it to the final despite not playing attractive soccer.  Fast forward to 2006, and the team was in shambles heading into the World Cup as the host nation.  They had failed to get out of their group in Euro 2004 (an astounding collapse for the Germans), and had fallen farther in the FIFA rankings than ever before.  In surprising fashion, Jurgen Klinsmann chose a squad filled with young talent like Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinstegier, and Phillip Lahm, and led Germany all the way to the semifinals while playing much more attractive soccer than the 2002 team produced.  It came full circle for the Germans in 2010, where they once again made the World Cup semis, but did so by playing the most beautiful attacking soccer of the tournament.  Their performances against Argentina and England were the most dominating of the tournament, against two of the world's best teams.

Take it to the bank, this team is going to the be the most fun team to watch in Brazil this summer.  They will score goals in abundance, utilizing the best and most creative group of midfield players in the tournament.  Reus, Ozil, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Muller, the abundance in attacking talent is unreal.  Move over, Spain and Brazil....this is the team to watch.

Kyle: My second favorite team is Mexico. It may be hard to understand how I can like the U.S. and Mexico, but I grew up on the U.S.-Mexico border watching the Mexican League. Maybe things would be different now with the availability of European, MLS, and South American soccer leagues on cable television.

However, during the 1990s the only televised professional soccer available to me was the Mexican League. I remember watching Claudio Suarez, Ramon Morales, and Pavel Pardo control games with their intelligence and skill. I rooted against Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Club America. I exaggeratedly cheered for "Bofo" Bautista because my friends despised him and his ridiculous goal celebrations (this one is my favorite; please note Bofo's jersey number is 100 and he has different colored shoes).

In general, I enjoyed watching the Mexican teams dominate possession and play attacking soccer. Take a look at this interesting 2011 article about the U.S.-Mexico border and soccer. It's interesting to note how the narrative has changed in only a few years.

Tito: I want to rename this from "[my] second favorite team" to "my other favorite team"

As I mentioned earlier, I am also an American fan. Both Garrett and Kyle express how they are USMNT fans, and I will stand right there with them. To be completely honest, I was not too aware of the USMNT until 1994, when the World Cup was brought to the states. I was 9 years old when I saw the passion that the US had when they hosted the World Cup. I had seen videotapes of previous WC and had never really made too much of a note of the Americans, but in '94, the first thing that came to mind was those uniforms... omg did they hurt my eyes... furthermore, somehow the mullet was also in fashion. I actually got to know and played on the same pitch with Marcelo Balboa in 2005, and when I saw him I couldn't get that mullet out of my head. haha.
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Fashion aside, I remember seeing how they played and I was honored. Truth be told, in that WC Brazil played against US and I remember almost everything about that game. The final score was Brazil 1 USA 0; Bebeto (another player that I was able to meet and play a with). United States played a strong game and I liked how they were showing the world that soccer was alive in the US, they almost got one past Taffarel. I then found myself angry with Brazil, I felt like they betrayed the game and against the US... a team that I had found an attachment too (refer to 2:39 in the last video)... Leonardo, Brazil's captain threw one of the nastiest elbows to Tab Ramos. Losing a clutch player like Ramos to a vicious elbow was awful and I glad Leonardo got the straight red card. Interestingly enough, that game, I actually started rooting for the US.

Since then, soccer in America has come a long way; I believe the '94 World Cup catapulted soccer. The change of guard has occurred from Ernie Stewart, Coby Jones, Alexi Lalas, Marcelo Balboa, and Mr. America himself, Claudia Reyna to Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, Tim Howard. In my time as a player, I've been lucky enough to play on the field with many great players (as I mentioned before Bebeto, Marcelo Balboa, even players like Goyocochea (Argentinian keeper) and El Pibe Valderamma)... and I am also proud to say that I have shared a field with two of our fellow Americans. Every time the USMNT plays, I hope to see them on the roster and make an impact on the game. Edgar Castillo is from Las Cruces, NM which is 45 minutes from El Paso, TX and we would play each other quite regurly, and the other player is Stuart Holden. These two players hopefully make an impact on the USMNT, if they make it to Brazil, but considering it is Donovan's, Beasley's, and quite possibly Howard's last WC, the players like Castillo, Holden, Diskerud, and Michael Bradley (the best player US has)... could become the best the US has ever had) will need to step up and carry the flag.

The US shows heart and hard work and hopefully the wins in the World Cup follow, but all we can ask for is from the US is just that... heart and hard work.

5. You are the team manager and are picking a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward from the players in the World Cup (excluding Messi and Ronaldo). We picked using a snake draft (Tito, Garrett, and Kyle). Why did you select those players? More importantly, why is Team Kyle so much better?

Team Garrett: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Goalkeeper), Thiago Silva (Brazil, Defender), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Midfield), and Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Forward).

Team Kyle: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Goalkeeper), Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Defender), Andrea Pirlo (Midfield, Italy), and Luis Suarez (Forward, Uruguay).

Team Tito: Manuel Neuer (Germany, Goalkeeper), Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina, Defender), Xavi Hernandez (Spain, Midfield), and Neymar (Brazil, Forward).

Garrett: Having the second pick in the draft, I had a very specific goal in building my team.  The goal with my first two picks was to build through the middle first by taking well-rounded, complete players in the middle of the pitch, and focusing on keepers and forwards with the last two selections, given the abundance of talent available at those positions.

My first selection was Thiago Silva, the best center back in the world.  Though Kompany may come close to Silva in talent, the facts show that Silva is the better player.  First, he was the only central defender selected on the shortlist for the 2013 Ballon d'Or.  Additionally, he's the most expensive defensive player in the world, and has been heralded by some as being better than Fabio Cannavaro in his prime.  Finally, he's succeeding at the highest level for both club and country, playing an instrumental part in leading Brazil to glory at last year's Confederations Cup, and PSG in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season.  For those of you with short memories, he was an absolute monster in shutting down Spain in the final last summer, frustrating Spanish players every time they touched the ball near him.

With the best center back on my team, I knew exactly which midfielder I was taking with my second pick.  Figuring that Tito and Kyle would take Xavi and Pirlo, I wanted to counter them with the complete midfielder: someone who can pull the strings like Xavi and Pirlo, but who also has an endless motor, is tough in the tackle, can score from distance, and is both experienced and versatile.  Given those criteria, there isn't a better man for the job than Bastian Schweinsteiger.

At the age of 29, he has already amassed 100 caps for Germany, and played in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.  His versatility is evidenced by the fact that he started out as a winger for Germany in 2006, but now features in the middle of the park for Die Mannschaft.  He's been known for his goal-scoring ability since the 3rd Place game of the 2006 World Cup, when he fired two lasers into the back of the net to beat Portugal.  Like Pirlo, he occupies a deep-lying playmaker role, but he wears so many more hats than both Pirlo and Xavi, the old "past their prime" dogs who only provide passing and free kick abilities.  With such a rock-solid foundation formed by the pairing of Silva and Schweinsteiger, the only chance Tito's and Kyle's team would have at winning a game would be by dominating from the wings.

The third pick proved the most difficult of the three.  I knew the keeper I wanted would be available in the fourth round, which meant I needed to take a forward in the third round.  There are an abundance of attacking options available around the world, so I tried to take someone who currently has the hot boot for his club, but also has a track record of scoring for his country.  Look no further than the diminutive Sergio Aguero.  He's scored 15 goals in 17 appearances for Manchester City this year, a blistering rate of nearly a goal a game.  Also, he's scoring .44 goals per game for Argentina, a very good rate for a national team.  What he lacks for in aerial prowess, he makes up for in shiftiness and acceleration, as he can be a nightmare for big center backs to deal with when making slashing runs to receive through balls.  Given that the tournament will be played close to home, Aguero should find the net more than once this summer.

Finally, I knew the keeper I wanted would be available no matter what, due to there being much bigger names out there with more experience.  But, those big names also have old legs and eyes, as Tito displays further down.  Thus, I went with the younger option, who may be flying under the radar here in America, but has all eyes upon him in Europe.  Thibaut Courtois is only 21, so you better get used to seeing a lot of him over the coming years.  At 6'6", he's a wall between the posts, and has been a big part of Atletico Madrid's success this season.  In 24 league games, he's kept 12 clean sheets, a pretty astounding rate for such a young keeper.  Additionally, he's expected to start at Chelsea next year, which is really saying something when you consider he's replacing club legend Peter Cech. He should contribute heavily to Belgium making a strong run in this summer's tournament, and he'll contend with Neuer in the years to come for the title of "World's Best Keeper."

When it comes down to it, I have the best team out of the three.  Tito is strong at the ends of the pitch, but he leaves a lot to be desired in the midfield and defense.  An Argentine defender isn't going to cut it when there are much better defensive options available, and Xavi is past his prime at the age of 34.  Kyle's team is very solid, and is a very close second, but I think I have the edge in three of the four positions.  Silva edges out Kompany, and both Buffon and Pirlo are aging players compared to their counterparts on my team.  If Vegas was making odds here, I'm confident in saying that my team would be the obvious favorite.

Kyle: I wanted to choose players that would play in the middle of the field. Central players form the spine of a team and, I believe, exert a greater influence on a game.

I started by picking Luis Suarez who is a goal scoring forward that can make something out of nothing. Defenders look frightened when Suarez has the ball in their vicinity. At any second, the defenders can be on the wrong end of a highlight reel. With Luis Suarez as my forward, the team can score at any time. Suarez can turn a punt or clearance into a 50 yard slaloming run where he megs two defenders and chips the goalie. That's the advantage of having such a dynamic forward.

Second, I picked Vincent Kompany. He is a physical presence that is great in the air, which is important when dealing with crosses and set pieces. Also, he is able to pass the ball out of the back. It's probably apparent that I enjoy possession based soccer, and a skillful central defender is critical to maintaining possession and launching counterattacks. Kompany will be able to provide passing options to teammates who will be confident passing it to a skilled central defender.

Third, I picked Andrea Pirlo to pull the strings from midfield. I want to be like Andrea Pirlo. I want to drink wine and look this cool instead of a like wine-o vampire with blood stained teeth. I want to have a manly beard, luxurious hair, and a beanie instead of a sporting a vagabond beard with a ratty shirt that reeks of Lonestar. Pirlo is the coolest guy in the room and a mastermind on the field. He's 34 years old but can still dominate a game with his positioning and passing. When watching Pirlo, I constantly shake my head in disbelief as he shakes younger players in the midfield and sprays 40 yard passes to open teammates. He's a metronome that controls the game, doesn't lose the ball, and almost always makes the correct pass. He may not provide much defense, but there are very few players with his ability to unlock defenses. In addition, he's a free kick specialist. Long live "The Architect."

Finally, I choose Gianluigi Buffon as my goalkeeper. He's a solid keeper with vast experience in high-level games. He is 36, but goalkeepers can play for much longer than other positions.

I like my team over Tito's because of Zabaleta in the back. He's a solid defender, but he plays on the outside and can be a defensive liability. In general, I prefer a strong spine of a team and prefer any weakness to be on the outside. I'd take my chances with Suarez positioned out wide against Zabaleta.

Garrett's team is non-stop action. I'd like to think Pirlo could control the game and exploit any openings. If the pace was frenetic, my team might be in trouble.

Most importantly, it would be more fun to party with my team. It's just my interpretation, of the situation.

Tito: This was incredibly fun to do, and I must say... I find it incredibly intriguing that, according to my colleagues, I have the worst team. The decisions I made when it came to creating my team was making sure that I had a strong enough keeper to handle the attacking style of my other three players. The perspective that I took when it came to selecting my team was, if I were to be playing 'World Cup' (a game we all play during practice growing up), who would I choose to be part of my team... based off that, my team would be running the show!

The fact that I had first crack at picking, I knew I had to get the best keeper out there. Neuer is head and shoulders better than the rest. Neuer's numbers are hard and very real. This 27 year old, 6 foot 4 inch, stud is between the post for ze Germans.  This guy, in 2010 (at 24 years old) was the first pick for Germany. In the group stage he only allowed 1 goal, which was virtually unstoppable as it was a close range blast. Fast forward to 2012 Euros, he played every minute during the qualifications, helping him secure 10 wins out of the possible 10 games. His ability to transition from a block to outlet has allowed for many counter-attacks. Only the best keepers have that type of blocking ability AND vision to release the ball quickly. For these reasons I feel like the guy I have between the post is the strongest of the lot.

Knowing Kyle's preference for old Italian men, I had already guessed he was going to go for the classic Buffon. And Garrett's hipster ways has lead him to pick names he can't pronounce and are relatively unknown (hey Garrett, we already did the 'up and coming' soccer player, should have used this Toby Ciabatta  (or however your say/spell it) character for that post).

As the selection process snakes, I knew that I had to establish my attacking prowess. My next two choices was very orchestrated. I knew that I needed an individual in the midfield that pivotal, has experience, has a vision to think the impossible, and the skill to be able to deliver. Knowing what my forward choice was going to be and my thoughts on a defensive player, this midfield doesn't need to move much, his attractiveness to my team was based on vision, understanding of the game, and passing ability. Xavi was my first choice as he is the metronome for Spain and has a few World Cups under his belt. He has played at the greatest stages possible (World Cup champ, Euro champ, Champions League champ, and La Liga champ) and has delivered at every occasion. In regards to Kyle's choice in the mid-field, Pirlo, I really can't criticize his choice. Pirlo is a world class player, and even if I have a witty remark, I'll bite my tongue out of respect for the guy.... And Schweinsteiger, well... I'd look foolish if I said anything bad about the guy. Garrett is right, Bastian is incredibly talented and scores many goals. But my choice in not picking a player like Schweinsteiger is that I was looking more for a passer, not someone who is looking to go at that attack 1v1. I would say that each respective mid-field is quite strong and calculated.

I then double downed with Neymar (considering I was allowed to choose 4th and 5th). This Brazilians talent is insane. He is definitely one of the most impactful players in the game. Granted, I don't think he has earned his stripes just yet like Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, but he is well on his way there. He's a mere 22 years old and is already considered to be one of the most talented players to ever play the game. The shoes are quite big to live up to, but he has an incredible ability to create space, take on players, and find the back of the net. I also picked Neymar because the chemistry between Xavi and Neymar is evident. Picking an attacking minded team, I needed a set of players that understand how each other play. Xavi and Neymar are currently tearing apart the defenses of La Liga. Their style of play is complimentary as Xavi likes to play the short passes from side to side and then look for the penetrating pass slicing the defenses. Neymar likes to hug the left sideline to receive the ball and take on a player or three, but if he doesn't get the ball he likes to make the diagonal runs and get the ball on the run... which Xavi has mastered!

Now when comparing my attack to Kyle's attack of Pirlo and Suarez, I believe my attack has a bit more of a step. Given that Pirlo is a play maker through and through, he enjoys giving the filtered pass and chipping the defenders. Suarez however, enjoys coming back to receive the ball and going to goal from outside the 18. This is similar to the issues that Italy had between their current forwards and midfield. Pirlo's style is not meshing too well with the forwards that come down to the midfield to receive the ball. Now with Garrett's selection, Bastian and Aguero... I believe that they would also conflict. Bastian likes to take on defenders and go toward the goal, very much like Yaya Toure lets say. But Aguero thrives more with a player like David Silva who plays more to feet. Aguero likes to play the quick 1-2-1 touches near the box and I don't think that Schweinsteiger is that kind of player.
Soccer is not about the forward versus the forward... it's about the forward versus the defense... Now let's dissect the defense of my colleagues. This is where it gets good.... So as usual, Kyle is up first. Neymar vs Buffon  smh.... sorry Kyle, not sure your keep is up to par anymore. He might need some glasses to see that again. Scoring on the goalie's side... ouch! Buffon looked like a cone... Second, Kompany plays with Man City (yes, my team and I'm about to bash them) just recently in the Champions League. As much as I wanted City to beat Barcelona, the defense the City put out there looked 2 steps behind where they should be. Granted, DeMichelis is a horrible, but the way that Barcelona's offense just picked apart City's defense was outrageous. Kompany being the captain and the center back was made to look a bit novice. Granted, Kompany is a great defender, but Barcelona's offense (which consists of Xavi and Neymar) is just on another level. Garrett is raving about how Courtois is the bees knees and tearing it up at Atletico... let me remind you all, especially Garrett, that Barcelona got 4 goals at Camp Nou and 2 goals in Madrid during 2012/2013 season. 6 goals in 2 games.. not soo hot. 2013/2014 season did yield better for Courtois as the game ended 0-0 in Madrid, but I do think that the real thrashing will happen mid-May at the Camp Nou. I do think Courtois is good, but light years away from being able to claim world class status. Thiago Silva, he really is a great center back. Positions himself well, has a good vision for outlet, and he's strong in the air. But he does get exposed when the attacker is nimble and very tactful with the ball on his feet.

This leads to the more controversial aspect of my team... Zabaleta. I definitely know that Argentina's defense is on the weak side, but that doesn't mean Zabaleta isn't a class defender. Watching him push up on the wing and running back after every attempt is intense. This guy must have gallon-sized lungs. The way that my team is structured is suitable for Zabaleta to thrive as his runs would be respected by Xavi exposing the opponents defense.

           Neuer
Zabaleta
          Xavi
                 Neymar

I know Kyle has mentioned that he feels that the team needs to have a backbone before anything else, and that most important players create the spine of the team. I do think that the spine of the team is important, but the mindset is a bit archaic. Messi hugs the bi-line, Cristiano Ronaldo also hugs the line. They both like driving at defenders from the side. You then have players like Garrincha, which some people claim was better than Pele. Rivelino prefered attacking players from the right. Roberto Carlos is a phenomenal player, and he has always been an outside defender. Some of these wingers have actually been incredibly important to expand the team. Giggs started on the left during his career and his been transitioned to the middle as he has gotten slower. Hazard is tearing apart teams driving from the left. I think that in a defensive minded team, the middle should be stacked a bit heavier, but when it comes to attacking teams, the flanks adds a bit of imbalance that creates havoc for defenses... AND FOR THIS REASON Zabaleta was my choice.

On that note... I think my team is the top team of the three.


Hope you enjoyed this week's post, and stay tuned for more editions of Off The Post!