For the next month, the Brazilian gross domestic product will suffer enormously as the nation stops everything it's doing and holds its breath every time their beloveds take to the pitch in Germany. No matter what time of day, it won't matter to the Brazilian people. Who, despite poverty, violence, and the growing pains associated with a third world nation struggling to rise above its past, will unite for one glorious month and revel in the knowledge that the eyes of the world are upon them.
If Brazil stumbles, it will probably be in the finals match set for July 9th in Berlin. Chasing the opportunity to play the Brazilians will be a small group of nations whose own World Cup aspirations are just as high and whose fans will also be living the dream for the next month.
ENGLAND
Many feel that the English are the strongest side in the world next to Brazil. But that is with a healthy Wayne Rooney, the dynamic striker from Manchester United who, at 21, is the future of world soccer. Strong, speedy, and possessed of enormous talent and courage, Rooney is as tough as they come and will prove it in Germany coming off a broken metatarsal bone in his foot barely six weeks ago. He will probably be held out of the preliminary round games unless England finds itself facing elimination in game three, an unlikely event given their relatively weak draw of Sweden, Paraguay, and Trinidad & Tobago.
In addition to Rooney, the English midfield will also shine with international heartthrob David Beckham trying to shake the ghosts of past disappointing Cup performances and the all-world talent of Frank Lampard set to take up some of the scoring burden caused by Rooney's absence.
A potential roadblock may occur on the road to the finals because England is expected to win Group B. This would place them on a collision course with Brazil in the semi-finals.
Much will depend on Rooney's match fitness. But it appears that coach Goran Eriksson's huge gamble in naming Rooney to the team three weeks ago will pay off handsomely.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
I remember back in '98 when the U.S. lost to Iran (silence) that their goal for world glory was 2010. I think they sorta were ahead of schedule last time. I hope they escape the first round.
As for the whole thing, I'm actually going with Germany. My dark horse is Trinidad (but not Tobago).
2 - RJ Elliott
My prediction:
The US will probably come in third in their strong group (behind the Czech Republic and Italy), and therefore not advance to the next round.
If they do advance, it will likely be as the second-place finisher in their group, which means they would next face Brazil...and almost certainly lose.
However, if they somehow manage to win their group, then they have a solid chance at making it at least to the Quarter-Finals, if not the Semi-Finals...
3 - RJ Elliott
The US lost to the Czech Republic 3-0...
They now pretty much have to beat both Italy AND Ghana to make it out of their group...
And that's pretty unlikely...
Of course, if they somehow manage to just tie Italy, they will still have a slim chance of advancing, as long as they can beat Ghana...