Team U.S.A. a legitimate contender

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/06/2010 (5944 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Spain did just enough to beat Chile, Friday, and set up a Round of 16 showdown with Portugal on June 29.

After taking a 2-0 lead in the first half, the European champions were content to rest on their laurels as their opponents — reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute — tried in vain to get back in the match. It wasn’t a typical Spanish performance — at least not the kind we expected to see at the outset of this World Cup — but it was effective.

Spain, it seems, have become one of those extra special sides that can win without playing well and get a result without hitting top gear. Brazil are the same, and maybe no one else. That’s rather elite company.

Portugal, meanwhile, will be the wild card of Tuesday’s matchup.

After drawing Ivory Coast in their opening game, they destroyed North Korea before playing to an uneventful 0-0 draw against Group G winners Brazil. They haven’t lost at this World Cup, but they haven’t beaten anyone of note, either.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, you feel, will have to vastly improve his game if Portugal are to advance, and Hugo Almeida will have to coax a second quality international performance in a row, something he’s never managed to do.

At the end of the day, this contest won’t be as much about what Portugal can do to topple the European champions as how Spain can get the win while leaving as much gas in the tank as possible for the following rounds.

Prediction: Spain

Uruguay vs. South Korea

They started slow against France before roaring to life against South Africa and earning a cautious win against Mexico. Uruguay is the favourite here, and for good reason. In Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani, they have a trio of elite forwards who will constantly trouble the Korean backline. But they are susceptible in defence as well, and the quick Korean attackers will look to turn the likes of Diego Lugano and Diego Godin.

Prediction: Uruguay

United States vs. Ghana

Ghana are one of the up-and-coming teams in world soccer. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they’ll be one of the overall favourites. But their time has not yet come. Most of their players are in their early 20s and are only now playing first-team soccer at their clubs. The Americans, meanwhile, just don’t know how to lose. They have all the intangibles and are a legitimate threat for the semifinals.

Prediction: United States

Netherlands vs. Slovakia

There’s only one winner here, and that’s no disrespect to Slovakia. They were a far better team than Italy on Thursday, and their pace and fitness will give the Dutch defenders fits. But the Netherlands just have too much quality. Even with Arjen Robben on the bench, they have enough tools in attack to outscore anyone.

Prediction: Netherlands

Brazil vs. Chile

Chile were unlucky to have a man sent off against Spain and come into this match with their heads held high. That said, in two qualification matches against Brazil, they were outscored 7-2. Their very attacking philosophy is not conducive to this type of a match, against this type of an opponent. Brazil, while not particularly flashy, still have more than enough talent to humble anyone.

Prediction: Brazil

Argentina vs. Mexico

These two met in the Round of 16 four years ago and Argentina won it late in extra time. A similar result this time around would not be a surprise. There’s not much to separate the two sides, but any team that can put Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain on the field at the same time has to be favoured, even if their defence is a bit shaky.

Prediction: Argentina

Germany vs. England

This is the marquee match of the Round of 16, but don’t expect the play to live up to the hype. It will be cagey, and goals will be rare. Striker Miroslav Klose will make a welcome return for Germany, but Bastien Schweinsteiger (calf injury) will start on the bench. On the other side of the ball, England have managed to get this far without relying on Wayne Rooney. A better performance from him would surely see the Three Lions through.

Prediction: England

Paraguay vs. Japan

Paraguay were full value for their five points in Group Fa tally that left them ahead of Slovakia, New Zealand and Italy. Often one of South America’s more defensive sides, coach Gerardo Martino has opened it up a bit at this World Cup, and you get the feeling they still have yet to play their best. Japan, despite a massive win over Denmark, are simply a class below La Albirroja.

Prediction: Paraguay

jerradpeters@gmail.com