It would be nice if the US advanced, but if they do come in 2nd in their group, they're almost certainly going to play Brazil in the round of 16.

Game over.

D

I really like McBride, Drade. You have an attack that fits together nicely, in that you have a striker who's very strong in the air and a number of quick wide players who can cross the ball, plus some good supporting midfielders who can score. Reyna will be useful in that regard if he's fit, Beasley too if he's firing. I think you'll cause problems to a lot of teams because you've got a well-organised, hard working team that'll make the best of its capabilities, even if it's not the most naturally talented. USA are always well organised. I think like a lot of teams your defence is a bit vulnerable to pace and players who run at them, so yeah, it'll probably be game over vs Brazil I'm afraid.

I'm a bit torn who to root for in your group because I like to see the African teams doing well and I like a lot of Ghana's players (Appiah is a great leader), I really want to see you guys do well and I like the Czechs team a lot, Galasek, Poborsky, Rosicky, Nedved etc etc. As long as someone dumps those boring bloody Italians out I'll be happy!

Freddy didn't make the national team. He went to the final training camp with the team, but he only stayed for about a week or so and then he went back to DC United. The US coach is pretty big on national team members playing in the friendlies and qualifiers, as well as starting and playing at a high level for their club team. Freddy wasn't ready to play with the national team until just this year. I think January was his first game with the national team, and they had long since qualified. A lot of positions on the team were already decided and he was really competing with others for the last 2 or 3 spots on the team, only at a severe disadvantage. At the same time, Freddy had a tough year with DC United last year. He didn't get along with the coach and he complained about playing time. He's starting regularly this year, but it's too little too late.

On a side note, Freddy's dating pop singer Jo-Jo, so he's got that going for him.

I think Ghana, in terms of player-for-player, are 2nd favourites in that group. Everyone seems to have written them off but they're no pushovers. Honestly, I think either USA or Ghana will sneak through 2nd to Italy in that group, but it's wide open. It's one of only maybe 4 groups where you genuinely think any of the 4 teams could get through and are, on their best day, capable of beating any of the other sides in the group.

Italy gave Germany a drubbing not too long ago, and I think they're favourites, but someone's bound to give them a shock.