World Cup 2014: Match Day 8

The mighty have fallen! There will be a new champion crowned at this World Cup! Chile put on a fantastic show to defeat Spain 2-0 at the Estadio Maracaná. There was a raucous crowd on hand cheering for the Chileans and celebrating the end of an era.

In the previous game, the Netherlands booked their passage into the Round of 16 after an exciting back and forth battle with Australia. Tim Cahill smashed a one timer for what could be the goal of the tournament in his last World Cup game before international retirement. However, it wasn't enough as RVP and Arjen Robben both scored again to put the Dutch through to the next round.

Today, we see a huge match up between England and Uruguay taking place in São Paulo. Luis Suarez will indeed be fit to start against the country where he plays his club football. British eyes will all be on Wayne Rooney to see if he can finally get his first World Cup goal and lead the Three Lions to a desperately needed win.

The Ivory Coast squire off against Columbia in Group C action, coming off a comeback victory in their first match. No word yet on if Dider Drogba will start, but Les Elephants will surely need him. The other half of Group C will play their second match when Japan and Greece square off.

Today's Games:
Columbia vs. Ivory Coast, 9:00 PST
England vs. Uruguay, 12:00 PST
Japan vs. Greece, 15:00 PST

My Picks:
Columbia
England
Japan

My Record:
13 out of 20, 65%

Where is our #10?

In the beautiful game, the number 10 has always meant being the playmaker, the facilitator, the trusted one. Landon Donovan has always been that person for American soccer throughout his career, until now. The reigning champion hasn't kicked a ball for his club or country since the whistle blew in Los Angeles on December 1st and the effects of his absence are getting more influential as the clock ticks down to his return.

The captain's armband is being worn by Robbie Keane for the LA Galaxy and the MLS Cup winners are already in a position to evolve without David Beckham. After months of silence, Landon announced in February that he would return to training "by the end of March." Bruce Arena has called upon his young guns to step up and veteran Mike Magee to lead the attack. But the Galaxy face arguably the toughest season yet in pursuit of an unprecedented three-peat as numerous teams around the league have bolstered their rosters with designated players, SuperDraft signings, and blockbuster trades.

Tim Cahill, Australian international and NYRB designated player, called for Donovan to "embrace the weight of the world," and to "question why you play football." As a former teammate of Landon's at Everton, Cahill got to know Donovan well and can even draw strong comparisons to him. Both have been captains of international sides for countries whose national sport it not soccer. Both have had success playing in Europe as well as brought unparalleled stardom to Major League Soccer.

It's this "weight of the world" that has Landon Donovan publicly questioning his own commitment to the sport. Twelve MLS seasons, two loan spells in England, numerous grueling World Cup Qualifiers, and a tough extra time loss to Ghana in South Africa have seemingly taken their toll on the mind and body of the 31 year old Californian.

However, now may be the most important time for him to return to the game on an international level. Dropping the opening game in the Hex to Honduras and facing a tough schedule ahead of them, the USMNT is feeling a whole lot of pressure. Defensive woes aside, the US don't have a clear playmaker. Michael Bradley does well to win balls in the middle but he doesn't have another midfielder to help facilitate the attack. Dempsey and Altidore have proven themselves as lethal goal scorers in European premier leagues but they look tame without someone to feed them the ball in the middle to attacking third.

No other active player in American soccer has the experience of Landon Donovan. He's seen it all when it comes to World Cup Qualifying in CONCACAF. Rocks thrown at team busses, high fences in hostile territories, and obscenely poor pitch conditions may be new to some of the players on the current USMNT roster, but not to Landon Donovan. And it's clear now more than ever that Jurgen Klinsmann needs a number 10 to lead them through the qualifying if they want to have a fighting chance at a trip to Brazil in 2014.

Off Season Wrap Up, part 2.

The Eastern Conference is looking to regain its dominance after being absent atop the Supporter's Shield and MLS Cup podiums. Mike Petke, ex-defenseman and MLS veteran has stepped into the coach's box for the New York Red Bulls and he's got a new Designated Player on his squad. Juninho Pernambucano has been brought in to support Henry and Cahill. The big three look to be the early favorites in the East as many are heralding the Brazilian's signing to be the final piece of the puzzle.

Sporting Kansas City were barely edged from the Shield by San Jose last season. Their stellar defensive line returns to help protect Jimmy Nielsen's net. Head coach Peter Vermes has called upon outside back Chance Myers to become even more of a threat by getting forward in their attack. Graham Zusi has played his way into the USMNT fold and looks to keep his stock trending with his skillful playmaking, and precision set pieces. However, the loss of striker Kei Kamara to EPL side Norwich City may put more pressure upon Teal Bunbury to recover from injury and become the player many KC and US supporters have hoped for.

Meanwhile, DC United have brought together two former MLS MVPs by bringing back "El Pescadito" Carlos Ruiz. Coupled with a healthy De Rosario, this maybe the push that the United need to get past reigning Eastern Conference champs Houston.