Final Reflections on the World Cup 2010

This World Cup will be remembered for many things, as there were a lot of firsts in it. This was the First World Cup hosted in Africa, it's the First time a European Team won outside of Europe, it's the First time a team losing it's First game wins the trophy, and it's the First time Spain has won it all and they truly deserved it.

Having said that, that was one ugly final game. Both teams weren't trying to win, they were trying to hurt the opponent, and they were doing their best Cristiano Ronaldo diving impersonations on the field. I wanted a good match, a we certainly didn't get that which I am disappointed, but, at the end of the day, at least the team that played better, won. 


The best thing on the pitch, was by far British Police Officer and the Referee of the Match, Howard Webb. He was also far from perfect too. My opinion as a neutral, was he did the best he could and I feel bad for him. He probably gave more cards in this game than traffic citations in his career as a cop. More than double of cards were handed out in this match than the previous World Cup Final record. The sad part is each was card was definitely deserved, in fact he should have given more cards. You can tell he didn't want to send anyone off early to try to make this a fair match. He tried to keep the players under control, but, the players wouldn't listen so he finally had to send off Dutch defender, Johnny Heitinga. Nigel De Jong should have been sent off too for the karate kick to the Spanish player Xabi Alonso, but was only given a yellow card early in the first half. At least FIFA gave this game to the best referee in the World, because if it was any other ref from this World Cup, you probably would have had players seriously injured and a bloody final that would determine the Mixed Martial Arts Champions for the next four years.

What I also learned is that I should have trusted Paul the Octopus in my prediction. The only two things that went undefeated in this World Cup was New Zealand (0-0-3, placing third in their group, ahead of previous champions Italy, but failing to advance) and Paul the Octopus (8-0-0), not even Spain can match his record.

Paul has announced, after going flawless in this World Cup, that he has retired from International Competition and will return to his aquatic life in Germany with a World Cup Trophy in his tank.

I can also report from sources I have in Germany (who goes by the name of Joe), that Paul actually pulled a mussel which won't allow him to guess in future games. We will all miss his talents in the future and it's a shame we won't be able to see him play in the next cycle, but I can't blame him for going out in style.

Speaking of the next cycle, check back often for more World Cup coverage, because the journey to Brazil in 2014 begins tomorrow.

Christian N.


Sources:

1. http://www.thatsfamous.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/spain.jpg
2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10604336.stm

Paul the Octopus vs Mani the Parakeet: Spain vs Netherlands

On Wednesday, I wrote an article talking about how Paul the Octopus has been the best story in this World Cup, and that he should be allowed to pick the World Cup Finals. Well, the oracle has spoken, and predicted Spain will defeat the Dutch for the championship, and that the Germans will defeat Uruguay for third place.

Out of nowhere, a new oracle arrives to the scene, Mani the Parakeet. The owner of Mani, claims that Mani has predicted every quarterfinals game correctly, and Spain over Germany in the Semi-finals, but, predicted Netherlands-Uruguay game incorrectly. So Mani is not perfect in this World Cup.

I'm not sure who to trust here. Paul has predicted every German game correctly so far (and there is evidence of it) but has not been tested on game not having the Germans play in it. Mani, has no evidence of predicting the quarterfinals games, but give the parakeet the benefit of the doubt. So this means the bird can predict games excluding his favorite team.

If I had to say which one of these "oracles" to trust, I would say Paul the Octopus, hands down, but I wish he was tested outside of a German World Cup game. I'm sure Mike, the other contributer to this blog, and soccer "expert" could go into vast detail about the Spanish Golden Team of All Stars that could only be compared to the USA Basketball team, taking on a solid Dutch side labeled as a Dark Horse this entire World Cup, a good title to always have going into the Final.

On Sunday, it's sure to be a battle of two European Powerhouses with one finally being able to claim a golden trophy of their own and have a golden star above their logo on their jerseys for the rest of time. It will also be a battle of Oracles, an octopus vs a parakeet to see which one can guess the final game correctly, and possibly become the story of this World Cup as Zidane's headbutt was in 2006.

My prediction: I say Paul but definitely guesses the last German game correctly, and Deutschland will finish in 3rd place. For the Winner, of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, I say.....

win it all. Mani and Paul, will have guessed one game wrong in this World Cup. I hope Paul goes undefeated, but that is my prediction, because Paul only guessed German games before, his luck will run out in Spain vs Netherlands. Now Mike can give real advice on who will win this World Cup based on talent, and style on both teams.

Christian N.


Christian is a Philadelphia Native, and is a political & sports columnist for several Newspapers across North America. He is also a season ticket holder of the Philadelphia Union and can be followed on Twitter along with his Website.

Sources: 

1. http://sports.rediff.com/report/2010/jul/09/football-world-cup-2010-paul-mani-uttam-take.htm
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands

Paul The Octopus is The Best Story of this World Cup

This World Cup will be remembered for many things. The First World Cup in Africa, the first time the host nation failing to advance out of their group, the first European team winning the World Cup outside of Europe, possibly the first time (Spain) a team winning the World Cup after losing their first game in the group stage, and finally two teams, who have never won the World Cup, (Netherlands, Spain) one can claim they finally made it all the way, and both are powerhouses of Soccer. The Dutch have been dubbed "the best team to never win it all" and they hope that label can go to the coffin on June 12.


There is of course, the controversy as well, such as people dying trying to get to the games, crime way up, transit not being able to meet the demands of the people at these games, corruption, and oh, and how could we forget the worst refereeing in human history in one month's time from USA-Slovenia, USA-Algeria, England-Germany and the list goes on.

The amazing, true story in this World Cup is, Paul the Octopus. This "German Squid" has predicted every game correctly and is 6-0. What they would do (as seen in the picture) is place a treat in two boxes (with the country's flag on the box) and whichever treat he grabbed first would turn out to be the winner of the game. 


He was laughed at when he picked Serbia over Germany after the Germans crushed Australia 4-0, but Paul got the last laugh. When he picked Spain over Germany, Germans held their breath, but this "oracle" was right again, and is now becoming popular all over the World. He hasn't been tested with a soccer game that did not have Germany in it, but let him try to predict the World Cup final, because it seems that you cannot change the "fate" Paul places on the losing team and I think many betting people want to take Paul's "advice" before they go to Vegas.  


Christian N.


Christian is a Philadelphia Native, and is a political & sports columnist for several Newspapers across North America. He is also a season ticket holder of the Philadelphia Union and can be followed on Twitter along with his Website.


Sources: 

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/06/paul-the-octopus-stuns-ge_n_636118.html
2. http://publicmb.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/2010-logo.jpg

Yanks Abroad: Looking Across the Pond for the World Cup

The one huge difference for the United States in World Cup 2010 compared to 2006 is where the yanks play. In 2006, 12 players on the roster played outside of the United States with 11 players based in MLS and the reserve roster contained all MLS players. Of the 12 players who played overseas in 2006, 4 would return to play in the MLS. 


After a very disappointing result in the World Cup, Bob Bradley would replace Bruce Arena as coach of the team. Despite many criticisms of coach Bradley, the one thing he insisted was players playing in Europe. 


Assuming these player are not injured by June, (which many are at the moment), including what appears to be a miraculous comeback by Charlie Davies after a deadly car crash, here is a look of the potential roster for the team.

Altidore
Davies
Donovan
Clark
Bradley
Dempsey
Spector
Bocanegra
Onyewu
Cherundolo
Howard

Of the starting 11, all play in Europe (Donovan plays for LA Galaxy but is currently loaned to Everton FC and Clark left MLS after the 2009 season). 


Even potential substitutes such as Jermaine Jones, Jay DeMerit, Edgar Castillo, Clarence Goodson, Stuart Holden*, Jose Francisco Torres, and Benny Feilhaber play outside MLS. Our best goalkeepers currently play for Premier side teams such as Howard, Friedel, Hahnemann, and Brad Guzan is a backup behind Brad Friedel. Expect the Yanks to have a roster filled with players who play outside of the United States.


Because of this, the team should perform much better in this World Cup compared to 2006, even though they were ranked 4th in '06 and will be about 16th by the time the World Cup begins in June. While the MLS is young, stable league, that has potential in the future. We simply cannot rely on it for players in huge international competitions.  


Just to compare, the United States came in second place in the 2009 Confederations Cup with a roster similar to stated above. They beat the #1 team in the world Spain in the semi-final, and dominated Brazil in the first half of the final only to blow it in the second half. 


A few weeks later, the roster would be filled with MLS stars in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a competition of nations in North America. While this team would make the final, their competition was very weak getting there, the only competition coming from Mexico in the Final. The United States would lose 5-0.


MLS players just cant compete on the Worlds Stage, although it is a great league to show the world the potential United States players have, and players can prove their talent to European Clubs. This is why the United States should should continue to look across the pond for their players. If they can compete with the best in club competiton, the Yanks will be able to compete with the best in International competition.


In the next few months, The US team is playing some huge opponents that will provide a great litmus test for the World Cup. Here is their schedule: 

March 3, 2010	U.S. Men vs. Netherlands	2:30 p.m. ET	Amsterdam ArenA Amsterdam, Netherlands	ESPN2 and Galavision
May 25, 2010	U.S. Men vs. Czech Republic	TBD
May 29, 2010	U.S. Men vs. Turkey	2 p.m. ET	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, Pa.	ESPN2 and Galavision

The games in May will probably consist the starting lineup for the World Cup, and since I am from Philadelphia, hopefully I can cheer on the yanks in their final home game before heading off to South Africa.


In order for the United States to improve in international soccer competitions, they need to look towards Europe, not in the MLS, and that is why I predict the Yanks could make it beyond the round of 16 in South Africa.


Christian N.
Christian is a Philadelphia native, and political and sports columnist for several newspapers across North America. He is also a Philadelphia Union Season Ticket Holder and can be followed on Twitter and his Website.


Contact Christian






[*=left MLS after 2009 Season]