World Cup 2014: Match Day 6

What a day yesterday! Thomas Mueller becomes the golden boot leader grabbing three goals against a sorry Portugal side that saw Pepe red carded int he first half for a very unsportsmanlike headbutt. The Germans lived up to their much anticipated quality form by dismissing Cristiano Ronaldo's side 4-0. In the midday game, Nigeria and Iran battled to the first draw of this tournament with a 0-0 score. Then it was the American dramatics that stole the show. John Brooks lifted American hopes and scored the game winner in the 86th minute to help the US defeat a historically strong Ghana side. 

Today marks the last day of the first round of games in the group stage and the beginning of everyone's second game. Belgium, as the media has dubbed a "dark horse" of this tournament, takes on Algeria in the day's opening game. Then the hosts, Brazil, have a challenging game against a scrappy Mexico team for their second game of the tournament. Finally, Russia and Korea Republic end the day with a game that pits two relatively unknown sides against each other in Group H. 

The marquee match up today is obviously Brazil vs. Mexico and we'll all look to see if Brazil can improve and build upon their opening win against Croatia. The eyes of the world will look to Neymar again to lead the Seleçao past the Mexicans. Many people have these two teams advancing from Group A but it will be a delight to see them pitted against each other. Hulk looks to be out of the starting line up in a precautionary move due to some muscle issues. Ramieres will get the start up top, adding more speed to their attack. 

Today's Games:

Belgium vs. Algeria, 9:00 PST Belo Horizonte

Brazil vs. Mexico, 12:00 PST Fortaleza

Russia vs. Korea Republic, 15:00 PST Cuiabá

My Picks:

Belgium

Brazil

Russia

My Record:

9 out of 14, 64%

World Cup 2014: Match Day 5

What an exciting one we have today folks! The "Group of Death" takes center stage for their opening games with bright stars such as Thomas Mueller, Clint Dempsey, and Cristiano Ronaldo taking center stage. 

Yesterday, we saw one of the brightest stars of the footballing world shine when Lionel Messi scored a go ahead winner for Argentina as they beat an impressive Bosnia-Herzegovina side at the Maracana. France rocked an ugly Honduras side by a score of 3-0, and Switzerland put on a gutsy performance to snatch victory at the last from Ecuador, 2-1.

Today is the day that American soccer fans have been waiting for: USA vs. Ghana, round three. In 2006 the US lost to Ghana in the group stage. 2010 saw Ghana booting the United States from the tournament in the round of 16. But the US Soccer Federation hired a brilliant German man by the name of Jurgen Klinsmann to snap the streak of defeats. Making headlines by leaving Landon Donovan at home, Klinsmann has whipped this young squad into shape and is poised to make a Hollywood scripted escape from Group G. It will take blood, sweat and tears from the 23 US players as well as their faithful American Outlaw fans, loyally singing as loud as they can, "I Believe That We Can Win!"

A clash of titans will take place in the first game when Portugal plays Germany. Miroslav Klose is chasing the All Time World Cup Goalscoring Record in Brazil, and he leads a highly decorated, intimidating squad. It will take speed and technical precision on the part of the Portuguese to defeat the Germans, but having the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, Mr. CR7, gives them a chance. 

Today's Games:

Germany vs. Portugal, 9:00 PST Salvador

Iran vs. Nigeria, 12:00 PST Curitiba

USA vs. Ghana, 16:00 PST Natal

My Picks:

Germany

Nigeria

USA

My Record:

7 out of 11, 64%

World Cup 2014: Brazil OPENING DAY

This is the moment we have been waiting for. The ball will roll again, like it did four years ago, and the world will be watching. The FIFA World Cup makes it return to the country where soccer is king, Brazil. Much has been made of the political and social unrest surrounding this tournament, but all of the chatter will stop when the first kick is taken.

Host nation Brazil opens play against Croatia in Sao Paulo today, led by Neymar Jr. There is a ton of pressure on the "Seleçao" to erase the pain of the 1950 loss to Uruguay at the Maracana but they will be tasked with defeating some of the game's greatest teams ever assembled.

The reigning champion Spanish side will undoubtedly make a run through the tournament for a chance to repeat as kings of the pitch. The South American teams are heavily favored on their home continent to upset the royal powers of Europe and the United States could use their never-say-die attitude to escape the Group of Death. The question haunts Lionel Messi, "will he capture that last piece of hardware that has escaped him?" And what of the 2014 World's Greatest Player, Cristiano Ronaldo? Can he put an entire nation on his back and bring Portugal its first World Cup glory?

The opening match today will be the first of 64 matches, spanning 30 days and 12 cities. The world will hold their breath, only to let out cries of hope and tears of pain. This is the world's game.

Today's Game
Brazil vs. Croatia, Sao Paulo 13:00 PST.

My Pick: Brazil