Will it be one of the usual suspects, like Brazil, Italy, Germany or Argentina, adding to their collection of World Cup trophies?
Or, will a country like Spain or the Netherlands, dubbed the best to never win a World Cup, finally claim the sport’s ultimate prize?
Will England, with an Italian coach, put years of torment and heartache behind it, and hoist the trophy it’s longed for since 1966?
Can the U.S. start the 32-team, month-long tournament on a buzzing vuvuzela note by beating England on Saturday? And how far of a run can coach Bob Bradley’s team make in South Africa?
Presidio Sports posed these questions and others to a select few in the community who know a thing or two about soccer: our college and high school coaches.
Our illustrious panel includes Tim Vom Steeg (UCSB men), Paul Stumpf (UCSB women), Dave Wolf (Westmont men), John Sisterson (SBCC men and women), Rudy Ybarra (former professional player and Santa Barbara High coach and current coach with Santa Barbara Soccer Club) and current high school boys coaches Todd Heil (Santa Barbara) and Tovi Eliasen (Dos Pueblos).
Their insightful answers are based on their careful studying of the eight first-round groups and the possible matchup scenarios in the knockout stages, tournament and team history, team personnel, coaching (of course) and, in some cases, loyalty to their native land.
Here we go. Question No. 1:
Who do you like in the U.S. vs. England match and why?
Vom Steeg: England is favored and on paper should win the game. But this is soccer and it’s the World Cup so I could see a situation where we come away with a tie on a 1-1 score.
The key is to have Tim Howard make the key save(s) and then have somebody knock in a rebound off of a set piece. Most important in this game is that we don’t play poorly and then spend the next five days trying to put ourselves back together thus losing the focus on the most important games of the group, which are the two teams that we should beat to go on to the next stage.
Stumpf: Although we are closing the gap on England, I still think they are a bit stronger. It is great seeing so many more of our top national teamers playing abroad, but there aren’t quite enough at that level … yet. Unfortunately, I am a little concerned about our center back position, and that might end up hurting us this Saturday.
Sisterson: Give me a break!!! :-)))) There’ll be only one team in it! (FYI: Sisterson is a native of England).
Wolf: I think that the US-England fixture is tricky. In spite of having a hand full of international attacking talent (Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, and Aaron Lennon), I think England is very Rooney dependent. As he goes … However, in my opinion, the biggest U.S. question is the center of the defense. I don’t think Onyewu is ready, otherwise he would have logged more minutes in the friendlies. It will be a tall order for DeMerit and Goodson to cope with Rooney, and, if a second striker is picked by Capello (likely Crouch), it poses more problems.
On the U.S. side, the unpredictability of Donovan and Dempsey, coupled with the sheer athleticism of our front players (Buddle, Findley, and Altidore — have your pick) is, I think, very problematic for England.
The most interesting factor is the psychological one, where I see the U.S. as very strong (we’re Americans, after all!!!), and England on VERY shaky ground. John Terry’s indiscretions, Rio Ferdinand’s absence, Ashley Cole’s and Wayne Rooney’s emotional composure are all, for me, a question mark. This encounter will appeal to our patriotic spirit like none other. I think we win 3-1.
Ybarra: I like the U.S. but I do not feel the U.S. will win vs. England. England plays fast and will attack the U.S., which is having difficulty defending and has some injuries that are still in question!!!! England 3-1.
Heil: As much as I hope the U.S. advances, I think they will struggle in their first game out against England. The U.S. defense has too many questions right now and they are giving up too many shots. They were outshot by Australia, and England won’t miss like Australia did. Plus, England has the advantage when it comes to player experience and the competitive level at which those players play during their league season.
Eliasen: My prediction is England 2, USA 1. I would love to see the U.S. get a draw, but I think England boss Capello will be able to exploit the U.S. deficiencies.
Will the U.S. advance into the second round? If so, how far do you see it going in the tournament?
Vom Steeg: As mentioned above, the key is to get “momentum” from the first game. Certainly a tie or a win will get that for you, but even in losing we can still feel good about it if we played (England) fairly even. I do think that we should get out of the group stage and, like the Confederations Cup, I think we can get to the round of 8.
Stumpf: I think they have a great chance to advance, but since these are one-off games, you just never know what might happen on the day. A round of 16 game with Germany is a real possibility, and that will be a tough challenge.
Sisterson: Yes, they will advance … the quarterfinals.
Wolf: I think it is completely dependent on the England game. Three points or one point from the opener and we advance to the quarterfinals. If we drop the England match and then really have to exert to get into the second round, we lose in the round of 16. Either way I think we go through.
Ybarra: I do not feel the U.S. will advance. They will struggle in this World Cup. But if they are to advance, they will lose the following match in the round of 16.
Heil: I believe the U.S. will advance out of their group with wins over Algeria and Slovenia. However, if they face Germany in the Round of 16, their World Cup will come to an end. If they face someone else from Group D, they could advance to the quarters, where they will face Argentina, and that will be all she wrote.
Eliasen: I see the U.S. getting second in the group and advancing to play either Serbia or Germany, where they will win. They will then lose to Argentina in the quarterfinals and go home with a very successful tournament.
Who is your darkhorse team in the tournament?
Vom Steeg: My dark horse team is going to be an “African Country,” not South Africa since I think they just don’t have enough, but either Ivory Coast, Ghana, or Nigeria because whoever makes it out of group stage will have the entire continent rooting for them and, from past World Cups, that can take you to places not seen before. I would say Ivory Coast, but with Drogba probably out that really knocks them out. Maybe Nigeria or Ghana.
Stumpf: Personally, I would like to see an African team go a long way in this tournament, so Ghana and Cameroon come to mind.
Sisterson: Mexico.
Wolf: I like two: Mexico and Holland. Mexico is just now showing the fruits of their players having played in big European clubs (Barcelona, Spurs, Stuttgart). Their game is at a higher tempo and this World Cup will be played at a higher tempo due to the cooler weather in South Africa. You can argue that Holland is not a “darkhorse” team, but they have disappointed so often that my sense is folks are not getting their hopes up. A healthy Arjen Robben helps a lot but, even without him, I think the Dutch are primed for some good stuff.
Ybarra: Mexico, they are playing well and against good competition. (England coach) Capello said Mexico will be a team that will surprise many in this World Cup after seeing them play England and Italy. This is the best Mexican team in many years.
Heil: My darkhorse team is the Netherlands. They probably have a quarterfinal matchup with Brazil, but if they should somehow upset them, they could be facing either Mexico or England in the semis and you could see the Dutch playing in the Final.
Eliasen: Nigeria
What countries will advance to the final four?
Vom Steeg: Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, Argentina.
Stumpf: I’m not exactly sure how the brackets will work out, but for me, some usual suspects are my best four in the world: Brazil, Argentina, Portugal and Spain.
Sisterson: England, Brazil, Spain, Argentina.
Wolf: Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Argentina. I’m banking on either: a) Maradona is not as nutty as he’s leading us all to believe; b) Messi is simply good enough to over come how nutty Maradona really is; c) the Argentines that had success with Inter Milan (Diego Milito, Walter Samuel) will provide the necessary leadership on the big stage.
I would really like to see Brazil/Holland (which I believe is a match up that can happen).
Ybarra: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Spain.
Heil: The most likely Final 4 will be Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Spain.
Eliasen: Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Spain
Who are your finalists?
Vom Steeg: Brazil, Spain
Stumpf: Brazil, Spain
Sisterson: England, Spain
Wolf: Brazil, Spain
Ybarra: Brazil, Argentina
Heil; Brazil, Argentina
Eliasen: Brazil, Spain
Who is your champion?
Vom Steeg: Spain
Stumpf: Spain
Sisterson: England
Wolf: Brazil. The fewest injury issues. The least “controversy.” The most focused manager (Dunga picked his 23 right away and eliminated any controversy about Ronaldinho or Pato being omitted).
Ybarra: Brazil, 3-1
Heil: Brazil, 2-1 over Argentina
Eliasen: My dad was born and raised in Brazil, so I’m going with my heritage, Brazil for their 6th title!
