You can only win (and help) if you pay!

Brackets are closed and you MIGHT win.  But only if you pay up.  Here's instructions on how:

There are two ways to pay: 

1) Click on paypal.com. Click on "Send Money Online". Enter my email (bbleek@gmail.com), your email address, the amount, and then click the "Personal" tab and click "other". Follow the instructions to pay by card from there. Pretty easy really. 

2) You can also give me cash or a check.  Email me for my address.  (And remember, only those who pay can win!)

*Here's the $ details: The winnings are split between the top 3 brackets: 1st place = 65% of the pot, 2nd = 25%, and 3rd = 10%. Our house will be built during the UPC multi-generational during Christmas, 2014.  All funds raised will we going to DOXA, to build this house.  TO learn more about DOXA lick here: http://doxaserves.org

Remember if you don't pay then, like England, you won't win!  Don't leave yourself heartbroken!

Let me know if you have any questions,
Brandon, bbleek@gmail.com

Group H Preview

All right folks, I'll be honest.  His one is going to be short.  Id din't pace myself well and am scrambling to get these out the right before kick-off.  But, in order to finish I'll do a quick recap/preview of our final group.  Hint though...there is one Dark Horse in this group and the rest are "teams to watch".

Belgium:
Belgium is the favorite in this group for sure.  They proved themselves worthy of the seeding when they worked their way through tough European qualifying.  They have a young striker that I got to see in person when Chelsea visited the Sounder named Romelu Lukaku.  He's legit and is likely to be on of the tournaments top goal scorers.  I also enjoy watching Musala Dembele.  He used to play alongside Clint Dempsey at Tottenham and is one of the most athletic soccer players I have ever seen.  These guys will get through the group and may make it to the quarters or more.

Algeria:
You may remember Algeria from 2010.  They are the team that Landon Donovan scored the miracle last minute goal against.  A moment in history I'll surely never forget!  But that moment may only be remember as an image on TV screens by the players who will take the itch for Algeria this time around. Their squad averages only 16 caps (national team appearances) per play, making them the least experienced team on the field.  They have a player worth watching in Dynamo Zagreb striker Hillal Soudani.  He is a "intelligent" player wit skills to match.  This could be the tournament that seems him find a global spotlight.

Russia:
This team is headlined by their coach; former England boss Fabio Capello.  Capello is back in the mix again and looking for redemption.  He'll be hoping that he can wave a magical tactical wand over Russia that helps them see a Round of 16 berth.  In this group, that could be a wish granted.  Capelloa will undoubtedly have spent most his study and preparation figuring out ways to beat Begium.  If he can get a win against them then this Group is anyones game.  Russia is good.  They have mostly domestic players who will be looking to prove that they can play in the European leagues.  Their grit and determination alone could make them fun to watch.  My prediction is that the make the round of 16 IF they can at least tie Belgium.

South Korea:
Probably not something the casual fan would think but here it is:  South Korea will be one of the fastest teams in the tournament. Their speed and fitness lend to a dynamic set up where players weave in and out of each other switching positions on the fly and leaving ill-prepared sides baffled.  They are also young and have the ability to keep their speed well into the game, and well into the tournament if they can make it that far! Their weakness though is their defense.  Every once in awhile they are prone to having a night where let in goals like it's going out of style.  They are going to have to concentrate, and keep as much possession of the ball as possible, if they are going to get past anybody in this group.  Unfortunately not a ton of hope.

Well, that's the last of the previews.  Happy picking and happy viewing!

Group G preview - Group of Death

Well, now we come to the Group of Death AND the one that most readers of this blog probably have their emotional stakes planted in. We'll get to a more in-depth look at the home team in a moment but to be honest it looks like our boys are a long-shot. Thats's because this group is his stacked! You have the second an third ranked countries, the best player in the world, and an unexpected rivalry between two countries they couldn't be more different.  So, here's your preview!

Germany:

Germany is simply a powerhouse with the potential to win the entire tournament. The whole squad is made up of a mix of toughness, skill, shooting prowess, and experience beyond their years. Even if you don't look at their current players you can just look at their history. They have three World Cup championships in their trophy case and four runner-up finishes. Jurgen Klinsmann says there is no doubt Germany will go through this group. Even though I cringe at hearing our coach say that I have to begrudgingly agree with him.

The only way to beat this team is to somehow affect their midfield. They have two of the most elite passers in the game in Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arsenal's Mesit Ozil. The only way to shut them down, or at least slow them down, is to pack the center of the pitch in a way that clogs the passing lanes. The problem with that is they then have world-class wingers who can exploit the space on the side. I'll be honest, I can't see this team not making at least the quarterfinals.

Portugal:

Cristiano Ronaldo. The player for Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga is simply the best there is. That is not just my opinion but the opinion of journalists, players, and the FIFA community. He recently won FIFA's player of the year award. He also won the biggest club tournament in the world; European Champions League this season. Shutting him down is an absolute must for any team that wants to get past this European power house. Is stopping him possible? In the words of US center-back Matt Besler, "He's just human." Even though Ronaldo flexes like a superhero, it's true, he can be beaten if you keep the ball away from his part of the pitch. Easier said then done.

Now, when we talked about Portugal it's easy to focus only on Ronaldo. But he does have a supporting cast around him made up of players that are playing their trade around the world. Manchester United forward and winger, Nani, could be one of those that can change the tide if Ronaldo isn't getting it done. Ronaldo has been out of a few of the warm-up games lately, tending to some and injuries, and Nani helped Portugal hold their own in his stead. Ronaldo is slated to be back and healthy for the tournament meaning that picking Portugal to come in second in this group is pretty much the wise choice. But if you're leaning towards other teams, like our boys, then this could be the team to leave out of your knockout round. Just saying. :)

United States:

Well, here we are. I'm not sure how to write this in a non-biased way. So I just won't.
The US, if placed in any other group, could be a favorite to go far in this tournament. We have proven our ability to develop players that can play at the world-class level and that our national team grind our way through international caliber tournaments. We are known for exploiting our underdog status and using our "Blue Collar" work ethic to create incredible comebacks and upsets. Landon Donovan's last minute goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup is the perfect example. A fast-break, it started from with a throw from keeper Tim Howard, went through Jozy Altidore, culminated in a Dempsey shot that was blocked, and blew the taps off bars around the US when Donovan clean up with a picture perfect "shot" of American ingenuity and desire. 

But desire can easily be outmatched by class and experience. And class and experience are what we face in this group. We also have a coach, the though he's lived in America for many years now, is of German nationality and is still very German at heart. Jurgen Klinsmann has openly said over and over that Germany will win the group. He has even stated that there is "no way" that the US can win the World Cup.

Okay, now we all know that maybe true but in America we always look to be the best and achieve the highest goal. The disappointing thing about Klinsmann's words are the confidence that they may have stripped from the squad. If your coach doesn't believe in you then why should you believe in yourself? C'mon Jurgen.  Keep your thoughts to yourself.  We are the land that invented airplanes and the country where Disney reigns.  We can do the impossible.  We can make all your dreams come true!
  

Jurgen Klinsmann's choice of his squad has also shown that he doesn't believe in much of a run at this year's tournament. He left US soccer heroes off the roster and replace them with young, very unseasoned, and raw talent from the MLS and Germany. He argues that Landon Donovan is not where he used to be is skill and fitness. Now that is completely true but a Donovan off the bench is a much more dangerous attacking option then an 18-year-old Julian Greene who doesn't even play for the first team squad of his home club, Bayern Munich. Klinsmann is clearly looking towards 2018 in picking this roster. That is great for us in 2018 but really hamstrings are chances for getting through our group in Brazil.

Well, all that said we do have a team on the field. A good team at that. We just beat Nigeria in our last warm-up game where Jozy Altidore scored two goals. Jozy couldn't have picked a better time to finally hit the back of the net this season. Hopefully he comes into the Shana game on the 16th with confidence and a desire to continue the streak. Clint Dempsey has shown flair during the warm-ups and Mixx Diskerud has proven that he can be a wheeler and dealer in the midfield. The diamond formation that Klinsmann recently used with Beckerman, Jones, and Bradley roaming the center of the pitch might be just what we need to shut down Portugal's feed's to Ronaldo and Germany's tic-a-tac passing game. They also might provide the protection that the back line is going to need against a very speedy Ghana offense.

What I'm saying is, "There's a chance!" A slim one, a slight one, one that most people would say isn't there. But there's a chance people! I will give you a little clue into my bracket... I personally am going to pick the US to come out of the group stage. Why? I know it's not a good pick for to win ay cash but it's a heart pick. I want to see tis squad stun all the critics (especially Alexi Lalas!)  If these guys can prove their coach wrong then they could set the stage for a very exciting run. We'll see.  I'm doubtful.  But who knows? I truly hope that Klinsmann can prove my thoughts wrong and show that he is a mad scientist who knows a formula for making this 2014 campaign successful.

Ghana:

Ghana is a tough team. They're fast and they have a chip on their shoulder. They proved it in their last warm-up game where they ran circles around South Korea, a team who also qualified for Brazil.  The Back Stars have made runs into the tournament in both 2006 and 2010.  They were knock out in South Africa by a Uruguayan team that used their hands to get the game into PK's.  One shot and Ghana would have been the kings of Africa.  Their losses, though, may just feed the fire as they look at making a mark in Brazil.

And now they have a little shot of confidence this week.  The 4-0 win over South Korea was not just a momentum maker because it was a big win.  It was a huge boost because it was the first game they won since starting a highly unusual dry spell that hasn't seen them win since last October!.  This win might be a blip on the radar OR it could be the thing that gets them going at just the right time.  Want a player to watch?  Look for Asamoah Gyan.  He could lift the team to victory with his left foot alone.  Want a hint on picking them? Geez, you're asking a lot.  Maybe third?

Group F Preview

Group G is fantastic!...  And could just be where the champions reside!  It shows promise to be a hard fought group with a lot of goals and tough tackles.  Here's your preview:

Argentina:
The one name any soccer follower will already know is Leonel Messi. The little forward, who took growth hormones as a youth, has proven to the world that no matter your size you can be world class.   He's a respectable young man on and off the pitch and has lead his club team, Spain's La Liga side Barcelona, to glories throughout his career.  But he has immense pressure on his shoulders.  He's yet to lead his country to a World Cup...even more, he's yet to really show any of his usual magic on the world's biggest stage.  He needs to this year.

But Messi is not the only guy on the team.  Just up front alone he has fellow strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.  Both these guys, when starring for their club teams, are themselves enough to make opposition back lines shudder in fear. If this attacking powerhouse can combine with midfielders, like the very productive Maxi Rodrigues, then their attack will be an enormous force to reckon with.  Their weakness is the defense.  They are starting a goalkeeper who has been riding the pine for his club and only have one "star" on the defensive line; the enforcer Pablo Zavietta.  But all that said, if they can "out-offense" their opponents with their fire-power then they could go all the way.  And I mean all the way to holding up the trophy!

Bosnia-Herzegovenia:

This is Bosnia's World Cup debut. That in itself is something to celebrate.  (Which they did!) Coming from such a tiny country (4 million) the fact that they made it through European Qualifying is a major achievement.  Their triumphs there could be a glimpse at things to come. Don't let their debut status fool you., these guys are talented and their group draws seems to be a promising road to extended play.  These guys will be very watchable...and so will their passionate fans!


One player to watch is Manchester City's Edin Dzeko.  The tall strong striker is deceivably speedy, has a ton of tricks up his sleeve, possesses a rocket of a shot and is a huge target on set pieces.  They are also good in the back.  They conceded only 6 goals over their 10 qualifying matches and are backed by a trustworthy keeper, Amir Begovic. They are going need both the strikers and defense to be at their best to get past Argentina.  But even if they don't get it done against the South Americans they could still sweep their way through the rest of the group to a second place advancing spot.

Iran:

Iran isn't  a newcomer to the World Cup. They have made it into the tournament three times in the past but they never have gone any farther than the group stage. The most experienced member at success on the world stage is their coach Carlos Quieroz, who took Portugal to around of 16 run in 2010. Is he ready to take Iran to its next level? Well, he's put everything into it that he could. He devoted his last three years to scouring the globe for Iranian citizens can contribute to this cause.
Even though they didn't make it into the 2010 cup in Africa they seem to have improved. They only lost two matches in that cycle's qualifying journey. Hopefully Quieroz has been able to use the three years of hard work to put together a team with some talent. He was recently quoted as saying "We are not among the favorites... I know that before the final draw, there were 31 teams all wanting to get Iran in their group. But it's our goal now to see if we can make someone wish they hadn't!" Iran isn't necessarily a bad choice if you're going for some underdogs in your bracket but they are definitely a team on the rise who might be better left for putting your money on in the future.
*Note; it would be pretty fantastic to see Iran and the US meet somewhere in the knockout rounds. Pretty unlikely but quite the story if it could happen.

Nigeria:

Nigeria have been on the radar when it comes to African teams for quite a while. At one point they seemed to be the darlings of the continent with the best chance of making an impact on the world stage. But things haven't always gone the way they hoped. They fell in the group stages of the 2002 in 2010 tournaments and missed the 2006 World Cup altogether. They are the favorite to capture second in this group but it is going to take a lot of effort and a drastic improvement from recent their performances.

In last weeks warm-up game against the United States they were thought to be the team that would come away with the win. But the US was the better team on the day. The Yanks were able to limit the attacking ability of Nigerian wingers like Victor Moses. They even shut down midfielder and Chelsea star Jon Obi Mikkel. If the US can have their way with Nigeria then surely Argentina will, Bosnia possibly can, and even Iran might look at the tape and say they too have a chance. There still the favorite for second in the group but need to prove they deserve it!

Happy picking!

Group E Preview

Okay, so group E may not be the most exciting group in the tournament. (Nike, Adidas and most of the world's big beer companies will save their advertising dollars for games outside of this group) But when picking your bracket these could be some important games. So here's your Group E preview:

France:

What can we say about France? They absolutely imploded in South Africa in 2010. Players were sent home, fist-fights happened at practice, and the entire country hung their heads in shame. Les Bleus have made some progress since. After all, they are in the tournament again, even if just qualified by the skin of their teeth.  But they have a lot of making up to do for a massively disappointing calamity of years past.

Ribery

They took a recent hit when they lost midfielder Frank Ribery. Maybe the most exciting player on their squad, he is now out for the tournament and leaves the country looking for a new hero and goalscorer. There's enough talent in group to still go deep but the Mantra might just be "as Hugo Loris goes so goes France". The Tottenham keeper will have to be on the top of his game if the inventors of that most wonderful of deserts, the crepe, are going to go deep in the tournament. If they can put some sugar on their salty wounds though, they may have what it takes for at least a quarterfinal run.

Ecuador:

Ecuador is a team coming in with a heavy heart. They were off to a pretty good start in qualifying before the death of 27-year-old teammate Christian Benitez from cardiac arrest last summer. Hopefully Ecuador can pay tribute to him by coming in strong in this very doable group. Their first game against Switzerland could be their hardest. But a win, or even a tie, there could set them up very well for good things to come.

The most important man on their team, as it should be, is their captain and Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia. He will be streaking down the wing looking to cross it in to one of the young strikers. If he can link up with the yellow and orange boots of Felipe Caicedo then this overlooked South American team could surprise a lot of their counterparts. They are a very dark horse and a slim pick but they seemed to be lined up on the rail with empty track ahead for the taking. You want to go with an emotional pick? Then this is your team.

Switzerland:

Switzerland was seeded in the tournament. That says more about FIFA politics then it does about their quality and chances. They are not one of the top 8.  Not by a long shot! But they aren't to be overlooked. They are young and confident (and have no expectations on them) and love to bomb forward. For entertainment sake, the hope is that they will really go for it.

Where Switzerland is really going to have to watch out is in the back. They have a lot of experience with players like Philip Senderos anchoring the D. But, like him, most of their back two thirds are in their late 20s and early 30s. That could be a concern when going up against the speedy strikers of the teams around them. The Swiss are strong and anyone can make an argument for them to go through to the knockout rounds. After that though, it's all about the match up... And how long their old legs can last.

Honduras:

Fellow CONCCAF opponents Las Cocharitas are fun to watch. They're quick, they're talented, and they have players playing in some of the best leagues around the world. They have a lot of former MLS talent like Roger Espinoza, who now plays for Wigan athletic in the Premier league in England and formerly starred Real Salt Lake. Anyone who watched the Sounders, or a lesser MLS team, will know that he can put the ball in the back of the net at any moment. The question for Honduras is; do they have the talent assist him?

Keep your eye on Jerry Bengston. This guy is a good, whether he is playing for the New England Revolution or for his home nation. He might just be what Honduras is looking for to partner with Espinoza to create goalscoring opportunities. And goalscoring opportunities is what they're going to need! In 2010 they went out of the group stage without a single goal scored. That's a stat they won't want to repeat.


Happy picking!

Group D Preview

Now group D is a group to watch. This will be sure entertainment! Even the "worst" team in the group brings a lot of theatrics to the table. Here's your preview...

Uruguay:

Uruguay continues the trend of South American teams bringing all out attacking to the field. Strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani could start in any league in the world... and absolutely dominate! Oh, and tucked in their pocket is Diego Forlan, arguably the best player the 2010 World Cup. He'll act as a super sub for this fantastically gifted team. Seriously, if they stay healthy they could go all the way.

The one thing going against them may be there flair for the theatrical. Suarez has been known for his antics both on and off the field. It was his hand, not his foot, that kept his team in it deep into the knockout rounds of the last tournament. If the other powerful teams in this group can get under his skin and stoke the Latin passion then things could go down hill fast. But if Uruguay can stay focused on the end product and play as a team there's no telling how far they can take it.  There's no doubt that this team could raise the trophy

Suarez Handball to to keep Ghana brace out of the net

England:

Overrated. At least that's how they usually enter tournament. They have not lived up to the hype for many cycles now. Can they this time? Well, it may all come down to their first game against Italy. If Daniel Sturridge, Danny Wellbeck, and Wayne Rooney can push forward and connect with each other to get the ball into the box they will surely create chance after chance. But if they falter on getting their passes strung together early and start getting frustrated, well..then watch out. It could quickly turn into pressure time where solo players make the mistake of putting the game on their own backs.

Rooney Red in 2010

The Three Lions will work and work for the win. They will run themselves into the ground and play harder than anybody else on the field. But the pressure from their soccer worshiping nation may just get in their heads if they are unable to produce early and often. Unfortunately the English have become known for their blunders and tempers. If they can keep a lid on both then winning the group is possible. If the do it it will line them up to face the second-place team in group C, which would give them a very good chance of making a deep run. 

Italy:

Andre Pirlo

The Azurri are probably the most technically sound team in the tournament. They aren't always the most fun to watch because of their defensive minded play. But they can put a wall between any team and their goal, making it hard for even the greatest strikers to break through. They have a lot of talent and they come with tons of experience to keep their heads in the game, namely their seemingly ancient goalkeeper Gialuigi Bufffon and midfielder Andrea Pirlo, age 35.

Mario Balotelli

Like many of the other teams in this group they do have an Achilles' heel. Their's comes in the form of a striker. Mario Balotelli is one of the most carded internationals in all of European play since euro 2012. He's had five yellows and the 1 red in 15 games for Italy. They were all for dangerous tackles and, even more, childish reactions. Balotelli is a force to be reckoned with on offense. If the experienced players can help keep his temper at bay and eyes on the goal the Italy could make go far. One thing to consider is their mostly older legs may not stay fit all the way through the tournament. 

Costa Rica:

These guys are good, muy good! They were all overshadowed in CONCACAF qualifying by a late US run and Mexican drama but they stood firm and achieved a solid second-place. This was mostly due to midfielder Bryan Ruiz, who seemed to be able to pass the ball to anyone he pleased, especially Real Salt Lake's Alvaro Saborio, the Tico's talismanic striker who seems to know where the goal is at all times.

Any CONCAF team would be overlooked by the likes of Uruguay, England and Italy. But if the other teams take all their energy focusing on beating each other then Costa Rica could just slip through to the next round. The heat and environment should give them an advantage over the European teams making them hopeful for second place in group D. All that being said they could be in trouble if, for some act of God, they encounter snow again... like they did in their Qualifier against the US in Colorado. Then, that's it, all over, they're out! :)



Happy picking!

Group C Preview

Group C - a group of parity?  Possibly.  Unfortunately parity can make for picking difficulties  Here's a little preview to help you set these teams apart!

Colombia:

Colombia have a lot.  They are 8th in the world, have players in all the major leagues, are steeped in World Cup experience, and are even the home of reigning world cup anthem writer, Shakira!  But it may just be what they don't have that defines this summer's campaign.  Monaco's Radamel Falcao has been left out of the squad because of the inability to recover from an ACL torn earlier this season.  In most minds, as Falcao goes so goes Colombia.  

Now this South American team's hopes may not be completely gone but Falcao's loss sure put a crimp in the plan. Colombia was thought to be the heavy favorite to run away with Group C.  But this set back evens the playing field a lot more.  The key to a Colombian advance to the next round would be to continue to play the way they are known for; as a unified team. Falcao was their leader (at least Statistically) but with him not pulling the ropes can the pack still stay together?  This futbol loving country that takes national holidays when it's team plays will still be hoping for a few less pay days for themselves and a few more for the team.

Ivory Coast:

On paper, this is hands down the best team in Africa.  They are chalk full of talent: Wilfried Bony, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and 36 year old super striker Didier Drogba. Many of these guys have tons of experience, and are most likely playing in their final Cup, so they want to make it count.  In both 2006 and 2010 they found themselves in the Group of Death.  Now that they've finally gotten the luck of the draw they have their best chance to leverage their talent and chemistry to make the knockout rounds for the first time.  If you are going to pick a so called "Dark Horse" then this could be your team.  Now don't let their mascot name put you off.  They are a big team but they can move with grace and pace.  If you want to see how to play fluid and creative soccer just watch Yaya Toure, whether he as the ball or not, move around the field and cut the opposition in pieces.  Or take in Drogba's awesome strength to get to the ball on a free kick no matter how big the crowd around him.  The challenge is to see if the Elephants can play like a team.  With so much talent on the field they are going to need to put personal pride aside and play selflessly to make it through.  If they choose to do that watch out!

Greece:

Greece.  They are big.  They are strong.  They are experienced.  They are tough.  But honestly, that's about it.  Back in 2004 they won the European Championships with imposing defense and selective counter-attacking tactics.  But they haven't changed, and haven't won, since.  Their captain, Giorgios Karagounis, the Iron Man of European football, lead them to their past victory.  But his legs are now showing their 37 years of all out effort.  Can they make it into the Round of 16?  They have the will but it would be really hard to see way. Greece is worth watching, at least for one player.  Kostas Mitroglou was sold to English Premiere team Fulham from Olympiakos in January for $20 million.  The striker proved his worth by scoring a goal in every other game of Greece's qualifying run, a streak that has drawn attention from major clubs around Europe.  Mitroglou could be fun to watch, but is probably a glimmer of the future in what looks like a squad that is mostly fading into the twilight of history.  

Japan:

This team, who finished first in Asian qualifying, might just be the little guys that don't fit at the kids table (or in the Junior's ring) anymore.  Japan is a team to watch out for.  They are quick and very, very technical.  They are one of the fittest teams in the world and can go toe to toe with any other country when it comes to endurance.  On their day they can maneuver their way out of any situation quicker than a Mr. Miyagi-coached Daniel Larusso at his prime.

The player to watch is AC Milan's Keisuke Honda. The attacking midfielder can orchestrate the team's success with his ability to see the passing lane before anyone else. He also has a fantastic shot, one he used to scored the penalty that ultimately qualified them for the Cup.  If Honda can get into the groove of blazing passes into the feet of solid strikers like Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa then the rest of the group could quickly start seeing Japan as the biggest Mawashi on the block.

Happy picking!