this way, but 3 years ago, my life would change and my love for soccer would explode ten fold. I was privileged to live in Argentina for 2 years from June 2007 - June 2009. What an amazing experience that was for me. Although I lived and worked there as a missionary for the Mormon church, we took advantage as much as possible to play "futbol" with the locals. Until you have been to South America, you cannot quite begin to understand exactly what soccer means to them. It is more than a sport, but a part of their lives. It is much more important than any team here is to any American. When was the last time you saw someone with a Los Angeles Lakers tattoo on their arm, or an entire house pained with the logo of the Dallas Cowboys, that type of devotion is rarely displayed here in the US. Yes, we too have sports fanatics here, but no single game will shut down an entire city. The grocery stores will still be open, you can still go and fill up your car with gas during the Super Bowl. But in Argentina, if "la selección" (the Argentine National team) is playing, the entire city shuts down to watch the game. Soccer, to them, is more than just a sport, it is half of their heart and almost all of their brain. So after living in Argentina for two years and exponentially growing in my love for soccer, it was finally time to start the greatest tournament in all of sports. Two weeks of soccer have been played, 48 games up to this point, and we are out of the group stage and on to the knockout round where things get even crazier because now, no ties are allowed. The group stages was something special to be seen. Although some of the highly anticipated games turned out to be rather dull, like the Brazil vs. Portugal game, others became instant classics, like Italy vs. Slovakia and of course, the USA vs. Algeria game. The group stage was a chance for the South American nations to show their stuff, only losing once (Chile losing to Spain 2-1), while only conceding 6 goals in their combined 15 games. All five of the South American teams qualified for the round of 16, the most ever. While this was supposed to be a chance for the African nations to shine in the first ever World Cup held on their continent, only Ghana was able to qualify for the knockout stage. The host nation, South Africa became the first ever host country not to make it out of the group stage. But we cannot criticize Africa without also looking at Europe. In 2006, ten of the sixteen teams to make it to the second round were from Europe. This year, only 6 have qualified, the least amount since the 80's when the current World Cup format was introduced. Not to mention that both the finalist from 2006, Italy and France had dismal showings in their groups and both failed to advance. So lets just say that this has been one interesting and exciting World Cup. I cannot forget to mention that one of the most exciting, although, not terribly surprising feats is that the United States won their group for the first time since the very first World Cup in 1930 when they finished in 3rd place overall. They were two minutes away from going home when Landon Donovan became a national hero for a USA team that refused to give up until it was all over. What a memorable game. Lets hope that there is more to come from the United States.So lets take a look at some of the upcoming games in the round of 16.
URUGUAY vs. SOUTH KOREA
South Korea finished second in their group behind Argentina and qualified for the knockout round even though they gave up more goals in the group stage than they scored. The Koreans are masters of the set pieces and have already scored multiple times in that way. But this and all Asian countries have history against them. No Asian country has ever defeated a South American team in any World Cup. Will this be the first? I do not believe so. Uruguay is led by two top quality strikers: Diego Forlan who has scored 120 goals in the past 6 years for Atletico Madrid, his club team in Spain, and Luis Suarez who is one of the best finishers featured in this world cup. The keeper Fernando Mulsera is yet to be scored on in their three matches. Although I think it is very likely that Korea will score a goal, this defensive mined Uruguay team will be able to capitalize on their counter attacks and will come out on top.
UNITED STATES vs. GHANA
A lot of us Americans do not know what to expect in this game. Should the United States win? Yes, of course. But which team is going to show up? The one who played like trash in the first half against Slovenia,or the one who came out in that second half and looked like the best team in the world. G
hana is the only team left from Africa to still be playing and they will have the support of an entire continent cheering them on against the yanks.It is very likely that after the 91st minute goal against Algeria just 3 days ago has the United States squad not only drained physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. But the US is also looking for some revenge. They were knocked out of the World Cup in 2006 by losing their third game of the group to Ghana. I think the USA will win this game, but it may have to come with some luck. After having been given a gift goal against England, the United States was robbed of two goals in their following two matched and against Ghana, they will need that same kind of luck they were given against England.
hana is the only team left from Africa to still be playing and they will have the support of an entire continent cheering them on against the yanks.It is very likely that after the 91st minute goal against Algeria just 3 days ago has the United States squad not only drained physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. But the US is also looking for some revenge. They were knocked out of the World Cup in 2006 by losing their third game of the group to Ghana. I think the USA will win this game, but it may have to come with some luck. After having been given a gift goal against England, the United States was robbed of two goals in their following two matched and against Ghana, they will need that same kind of luck they were given against England.NETHERLANDS vs. SLOVAKIA
Lets face it, Slovakia did not even think they would be in this position. They had to overcome Italy, the defending champs to even make it out of the group. I think for them, they have already exceeded all their expectations and will be able to go home prouder than ever. But they just might be looking and hoping for more. Sadly, they are matched up against one of hottest teams in the World right now. Holland is currently ranked #4 (according to the SPI rankings) and has only allowed one goal in this World Cup. Although head to head, Slovakia has won 6 of the 8 times they have played, this is a Holland team that look poised to make a long run in this tournament led by striker Wesley Sneijder. The dutch should win this one easily.
BRAZIL vs. CHILE
These two teams, both from South America, know each other well having to play one another twice during world cup qualifying. Both of those qualifying games 
were total manslaughters by Brazil as they beat Chile 3-0 and 4-2. But Chile did finish second in the South American qualifying, only behind Brazil, but ahead of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. They do have a good team led by Alexis Sanchez up front. But Brazil has the top goalie in the world Julio Cesar and an entire arsenal of attackers including Maicon, Luis Fabiano, and Kaka. Brazil will be way too much for Chile. The Chileans will be the first South Americans to leave Africa.
were total manslaughters by Brazil as they beat Chile 3-0 and 4-2. But Chile did finish second in the South American qualifying, only behind Brazil, but ahead of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. They do have a good team led by Alexis Sanchez up front. But Brazil has the top goalie in the world Julio Cesar and an entire arsenal of attackers including Maicon, Luis Fabiano, and Kaka. Brazil will be way too much for Chile. The Chileans will be the first South Americans to leave Africa.GERMANY vs. ENGLAND
Team Rooney has looked sloppy and boring in their group games only scoring twice in three mathes. England had struggled in their first two games, but finally started to look like a dominant team against Slovenia. Although they were close to giving up the game tying goal in the 91st minute, they came out on top with very few scares from the Slovs. Rooney has taken 11 shots and you have to assume that soon, one of those will go in. But the English are matched up here against one of their biggest rivals, Germany. These two teams have met 4 other times in the World Cup, and interestingly enough, all four times the games have been tied after 90 minutes. Germany's coach, Joachim Loew said, "England is always England. It's a team with a lot of fighting spirit and very strong mentally, with incredible experience... The axis with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney has the highest quality you can find in European football." This I believe will be one of the most exciting games to watch in the second round and I believe Germany will find a way to come out on top, most likely once again, in overtime.
ARGENTINA vs. MEXICO
If any of you remember the 2006 World Cup second round match between these two teams, then you remember an absolute classic. As I previously mentioned, I love Argentina and want to see them win this match. But I also grew up an hour north of the Mexican border in Tucson, Arizona and have a love for the Mexican people and their soccer. 
But that being said, nothing is as strong as the love I have for the Argentine people and for their soccer. I love to watch this team play. I heard one of the announcers in the World Cup compare Argentina to a PT Cruiser. Sleek and stylish in the front, but ugly in the back. The Argentina front is, what I would consider, the best in the world. Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, and of course, Lionel Messi lead the Argentine attack. But what about their back players, are they really that bad? Although they have yet to truly be tested in the group stage, they have only allowed one goal in their three matches. In the third match against Greece, Diego Maradona, already knowing that Argentina was going to qualify for the round of 16, took out 7 of his starters and played with many of his reserves. But those backup players include Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero, and the young and promising Javier Pastore. Lionel Messi still has not scored a goal, but his runs have been the reason for probably about half of the Argentine goals scored. He does lead the tournament with 20 shots, and soon, one or many of those shots will start to go in for him like they have in Barcelona. Mexico is a good team, and a fun one to watch, but this is not going to be their game to win. Argentina will inch closer and closer to their third World Cup championship and to having to watch Diego Maradona streak naked through the streets of Buenos Aires.
But that being said, nothing is as strong as the love I have for the Argentine people and for their soccer. I love to watch this team play. I heard one of the announcers in the World Cup compare Argentina to a PT Cruiser. Sleek and stylish in the front, but ugly in the back. The Argentina front is, what I would consider, the best in the world. Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, and of course, Lionel Messi lead the Argentine attack. But what about their back players, are they really that bad? Although they have yet to truly be tested in the group stage, they have only allowed one goal in their three matches. In the third match against Greece, Diego Maradona, already knowing that Argentina was going to qualify for the round of 16, took out 7 of his starters and played with many of his reserves. But those backup players include Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero, and the young and promising Javier Pastore. Lionel Messi still has not scored a goal, but his runs have been the reason for probably about half of the Argentine goals scored. He does lead the tournament with 20 shots, and soon, one or many of those shots will start to go in for him like they have in Barcelona. Mexico is a good team, and a fun one to watch, but this is not going to be their game to win. Argentina will inch closer and closer to their third World Cup championship and to having to watch Diego Maradona streak naked through the streets of Buenos Aires.PARAGUAY vs. JAPAN
Another South American team against an Asian country. Japan is one of the surprises to make it to the second round. Before this world cup, the Blue Samari had not won a single World Cup match away from their home soil (Japan and S. Kores co-hosted the 2002 World Cup). They were able to upset the favored Cameroon in their opening match, and also, off of two tremendous free kicks(here and here), they beat Denmark in their third game. Japan does have a good team and I would not be shocked if they came out on top. The manager for Paraguay, the Argentine, Gerado Martino, has put together a very disciplined defense that swarms the opposition and makes it very difficult to even breath. Neither of these two teams has looked absolutely amazing, both have looked solid, but neither has shown promise to make a run at winning it all. Paraguay will win this game, but it will be a close one.
SPAIN vs. PORTUGAL
These two European nations which share a border and speak a similar language will meet up in what could likely be a classic. Portugal has a lot o
f potential, but it seems like the ego of Christiano Ronaldo is not allowing the team to flow as one, like they will need to come up big against Spain. Ronaldo seems to be only looking for his own goals and has taken some ugly shots instead of passing it off to a teammate. Portugal did give us the highest scoring game in this World Cup by beating North Korea, the lowest ranked team in the world cup, 7-0. They do have some great fire powe
r, and as we saw against Brazil, they can also put the brake on and play defense. Which is what they will need to do against one of the best attacking squads in the world. Spain is led by Fernando Torres and David Villa. The Spaniards were considered to be the favorites going into this World Cup after having won the European Cup in 2008.They may have come into the tournament as the favorites, but lost their opening game to Switzerland. The Swiss played a near perfect game by playing a lock down defense and not allowing Spain to s
r, and as we saw against Brazil, they can also put the brake on and play defense. Which is what they will need to do against one of the best attacking squads in the world. Spain is led by Fernando Torres and David Villa. The Spaniards were considered to be the favorites going into this World Cup after having won the European Cup in 2008.They may have come into the tournament as the favorites, but lost their opening game to Switzerland. The Swiss played a near perfect game by playing a lock down defense and not allowing Spain to score a goal, while capitalizing on the few counter attacks that they were given. No team has ever lost its World Cup opener and come back to win the tournament. But if anyone is goi
ng to do it, it may very well be Spain. They were able to still win their group although they did look human at times against Chile. Fernando Torres is one of my favorite players to watch but he is still not playing to his top level as he continues to recover from injury. If the Portuguese can absorb the attacks by Spain and take full advantage off counter attack possibilities, they do have a chance at pulling off the upset. With that having been said, Spain will find a way to come out on top of this game, very likely after 120 minutes have been played and penalties have been taken.
Here is the current bracket, click to enlarge...
Here is the current bracket, click to enlarge...
