2010 FIFA World Cup

[Who]

I think Demichelis and Higuain (I thought Maradona didn't play him?) will be the factors that decided whether or not Argentina are a contender for the World Cup.

If Demichelis plays well and gives them a good center back pairing with Samuel ... I think that will make a large difference to their side. Two tough center backs, Heinze on the left, and Mascherano (best defensive midfielder in the world) just in front of them. That would make them a formidable side.

[misha]

Enyeama has denied Messi 3 goals with superb saves

He's playing in the Israeli league right now but he's a very good keeper. Next season, especially after WC, I expect a club from a better league to buy him.

[misha]

I think Demichelis and Higuain (I thought Maradona didn't play him?) will be the factors that decided whether or not Argentina are a contender for the World Cup.

Higuain is replaceable when you have Diego Milito on the bench.

[ederson]

Useless stat

Messi alone has most shots on target than all 4 teams that played yesterday

[Casperian]

Heinze on the left, and Mascherano (best defensive midfielder in the world) just in front of them. That would make them a formidable side.

I think Heinze is not good enough, anymore, I´m surprised he´s still part of the team. The same goes for Veron, to a lesser degree, who at least has something left to contribute and can stabilize this young team. It´s funny how Argentina has some of the greatest talent in the world, yet can´t find replacements for these guys.

Btw, I already hate this WC, these horns make me crazy.
Usually, I´m always rooting for the home team at a WC, simply because it makes for a better atmosphere during the tourney, but I really wish South Africa loses the next two games just for the small chance that I never have to hear these horns again.

Prediction for England - USA: 2-2

[Who]

Heinze on the left, and Mascherano (best defensive midfielder in the world) just in front of them. That would make them a formidable side.

I think Heinze is not good enough, anymore, I´m surprised he´s still part of the team.

I haven't seen him play in quite awhile but he's got good size for a left back and is a smart player ... I would be surprised if he wasn't a solid player. Vulnerable against top wingers but otherwise solid.

The same goes for Veron, to a lesser degree, who at least has something left to contribute and can stabilize this young team.

I love Veron. He has been my favourite player over the past 15 years. Definitely not the man he used to be but I'm hopeful Mascherano can help hide his weaknesses + the quickness/agility/dribbling of Messi and Tevez help hide Veron's lack of movement. Allow him to just be a link up man in midfield which Veron can still do very well.

A powerful central midfield could cause them some problems though. Only so much that Mascherano can do.

I think Demichelis and Higuain (I thought Maradona didn't play him?) will be the factors that decided whether or not Argentina are a contender for the World Cup.

Higuain is replaceable when you have Diego Milito on the bench.

I thought Milito was left out of the squad. I thought he was one of the guy's the media was complaining about being left out. I really have to check that roster and see who is actually there. Anyway ...

Milito is good replacement for Higuain. He can bring a presence up front and in the box which I'd like to see Argentina have.

There is some criticism about his ability to play up front alongside other players though? Is that correct? He was wonderful up front by himself for Inter Milan but if he has some problems with others then I can understand leaving him on the bench.

[Who]

I am enjoying the horns. Brings a nice atmosphere to the game, some tension, a sense of urgency.

I do have the beginnings of a headache though. They'll take some getting used to!

[Who]

Nigeria are fairly awful in the final third. They have wasted a lot of good opportunities.

[Who]

I thought Argentina made a mistake showing off their smart set piece plays on the corner (Heinze's goal) and free kicks (Messi's shot). They would have been better off keeping them in their bag and bringing them out in the knockout stages.

Now opposing teams will be looking for those things and will be able to eliminate those opportunities.

[Casperian]

...Vulnerable against top wingers but otherwise solid...

A powerful central midfield could cause them some problems though. Only so much that Mascherano can do.

That´s exactly the problem. The road to the finals always goes through the european teams, who all have top wingers and/or powerful midfields (except for Spain, maybe, but they´re able to play with Messi & co).

I am enjoying the horns. Brings a nice atmosphere to the game, some tension, a sense of urgency.

I do have the beginnings of a headache though. They'll take some getting used to!

Not only is it an annoying sound, imo, but you can´t hear any chants or emotion from the crowd, just a monotonous siren. I get the sense of urgency, but if it never resolves into anything? To think that I will have to hear this tune for 3-5 hours per day for the next month (if I´d watch every game) is depressing.

[misha]

I thought Milito was left out of the squad. I thought he was one of the guy's the media was complaining about being left out. I really have to check that roster and see who is actually there. Anyway ...

Milito is good replacement for Higuain. He can bring a presence up front and in the box which I'd like to see Argentina have.

There is some criticism about his ability to play up front alongside other players though? Is that correct? He was wonderful up front by himself for Inter Milan but if he has some problems with others then I can understand leaving him on the bench.

It's much more simple. Maradona didn't want to take Milito (he doesn't like him as much as Tevez or Higuain) but after CL final, and the widely regardedd opinion that Milito must be there, Marodona couldn't ignore him anymore.

here's the whole squad:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/67/world-cup/2010/05/19/1932940/world-cup-2010-argentina-squad-maradona-announces-final-23

[dlpin]

Just thought I'd share some interesting trivia, given the game that is coming up.

I think most people who follow soccer know about the 1950 game between the US and England. Well, I am from Belo Horizonte and had family there at the game.

That old stadium is still there:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Est%C3%A1dio_Independ%C3%AAncia_interior_left.jpg

My father didn't go to the game, but an uncle did. Everyone wanted the US to win, and after the game they were carried off the field. Now, everyone knows this, so it's nothing new.

But the cool story that my father told me was that he actually met the US team afterwards. An American university's basketball team (he couldn't remember which) was touring South America, playing against pro teams. One of these games was in Belo Horizonte, and they were playing local club America. That is where my father met the US soccer team, at the basketball game a couple of hours after a world cup match. They went to the game, were kind of local celebrities, and simply hung out with people, had beers, and found themselves some Brazilian "girlfriends."

[ederson]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003F6LK0U?ie=UTF8&tag=michajacksg0f-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003F6LK0U

It spreads like a desease. God help us

[Celtic]

This is it USA, time to make England cry! After four years it's time for redemption!

[ederson]

gerard 1-0