Group C

Introduction to group:
Well, as a US fan, I have been very eager to get to this post. This group features two very recognizable names and then two names that not many would even know played football unless they were a more devoted fan. With that said, it is by no means a weak group. First off, England. The 3 Lions (or Kittens) look to be the best team in the group. No doubt they have talent and skill, but they don't really have a record to back all that bark. They have won the same amount of World Cups as the US has past 1966 (one that has a very dark mark on it). They didn't qualify for the '94 World Cup in the states and thus the US (shockingly) has a longer active streak of making the World Cup. They are top dog, but is it really deserved? For those of you that have read the wonderful book Soccernomics by Kuper and Szymanski, you know that England gets a lot more credit than it deserves. Realistically, they are achieving as well as they should be, but the press wont tell you that. But enough about England, lets look to the other 3 teams: USA, Algeria, and Slovenia. Our little group of soccer players have stunned the world and then made a fool of themselves in the last 2 world cups. In 2002 we watched in awe as we beat the mighty Portugal, found our way out of the group stages, beat the Mexicans (eat your heart out) and then got robbed by a hand ball save on the goal line against Germany. Then, 2006. There isn't much to say but man did we get a harsh draw. The Italians (future champions) Ghana and the Czechs. People overlooked our group but really, with hindsight being 20-20, that was the group of death. People expect this year to be the upswing in the pendulum that is US soccer. With the cup not being in Europe, the Yanks chances of success are already a million times greater. The other two teams are ones that look like pushovers but are far from. Algeria is a brutal physical side that knocked out African top dog Egypt. From the limited clips I have seen of the team, they like to play physical all across the field and will slam it down your throat if need be. The Slovenia side, on the other hand, knocked out one of the most promising sides Russia. Many thought them to be a dark horse in this world cup, but Slovenia had other plans. They are, by no means, a weak side. They will punish those that take them lightly (as Russia did) and wont think twice about it. England and the US have their work cut out for them in this group.

England
Rooney is the man to watch for the 3 Kittens

Some say its super classy, I think its super boring
England Home Kit

Followed by their women's... er road kit


Maybe I am being a bit harsh on their kits, but to me they are just a bit bland. But hey, maybe that fits for them, their team is bland to some. I am not taking this team lightly, nor should anyone else (is anyone really taking England lightly?). They are full of talent and have a bench that could start at most other countries. They have the best striker in the world right now, the White Pele as he has been tagged, in Wayne Rooney. Their midfield is full of premier league legends and names known around the globe. Gerrard, alone, will scare many players away from a tackle. Then their is the back line... oh, whats this, Rio Ferdinand has been injured and is (reported) going to miss the world cup!?!? There is hope! or is there? King will fill in just fine, but nobody has the presence of Mr Ferdinand, no matter how you English homers spin it. John Terry, the man who shagged your wife, is back their too. So what is this teams weakness? How can they be beaten if they are full of premier league players? Simple enough, they are English. This team has so much pressure on them that Tiger Woods and his sex scandal looked like a local channel's attempt on making a story. No team in the world, outside maybe Brazil, faces as much scrutiny as these lads do. How much til they crack? Well, if I was a betting man, I would say they will crack when they face a nation they have fought in war in the knockout stages... and of course it will be done in penalties.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Robert Green, Joe Hart, David James
Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips
Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney


United States
The Yanks are Coming!

Our wicked Home Kit

And the "lots-o-sash" Road kit


If you haven't figured it out already, I am a bit biased towards this Yankee team. I love 'em, and how could you not!? They are a hard working bunch of guys that are playing the 3rd or 4th most popular sport in their country, yet still can make noise on the grand stage. If that doesn't say a lot about US soccer, I don't know what does. About a year ago we witnessed as this team looked like complete shite against Italy and Brazil. They went to South Africa in the "warm-up" cup (aka confederations cup) and were a shell of themselves in the first 2 games. The Italians were dirty (damn you Rossi) and the Brazilians showed us what joga bonita really means. On the last day of the group stage we watched as the US, with the slightest of chances, pulled off a miracle. Thanks has to be given to Brazil (we almost repaid them... oh wouldn't that have been sweet) and the US thrashed Egypt 3-0. With those 3 points, and enough luck to hit a home run blindfolded at Fenway park over the green monster, we advanced to face the top team in the world, at that time, Spain. They hadn't been beaten in ages it seemed and were laughing as the Yanks came walking out onto the field. Those smirks went away though, as Jozy turned their defense with muscle and ease and found the back of the net. Some truly scary moments followed, our man Timmy showed that he is pure class between the pipes, and thanks to the sleeping Sergio Ramos we went ahead 2-0. The world was stunned. Even in the US, the place that soccer news seems the last place to arrive, the people were buzzing about the US National Team. It was the miracle on grass (1950's said what!? but that's fine) and US soccer was on its way to stardom. All that was left was those damn Brazilians. We all know the story, the joy of the first half, my knees had carpet burns that lasted weeks from the celebrating (a cruel reminder of that game). Then Brazil turned it on. 3 unanswered goals, and the clock struck midnight. As the US team cried on the podium (Dempsey is a hero) many were thinking, just 1 year and we can fix this mess. Now its that time. The loss of Davies was tragic, but out of thin air came Mr. Buddle, Gomez, and Findley. 3 men on a mission to fill the shoes of the young wonder kid. I have faith in this team. I am not saying they will win the cup, but I have high hopes for a very talented US side.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay Demerit, Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector
Midfileders: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden, José Francisco Torres
Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley, Herculez Gomez


Algeria
The physical presence of Algeria will be felt... in your shins

The Desert Foxes Home Kit

And their rather interesting Road Kit


When the draw was made this was one of the teams many were hoping to be in their group. The reasoning was simple, if you dont know who they are they cant be that good. That was some poor thinking. This side is a talented one, they have players that most have never heard of, but they play strong soccer and will find the back of the net one way or another. I dont think I can put enough emphasis on how physical this side is. I watched a clip the other day of their playoff game with Egypt, it was ugly. They will be making some crunching tackles if players hold onto the ball too long and even if they dont they will still find a way to get at your ankles. I dont think they are a super side capable of knocking off England and the US, but they will take advantage of any little mistake. If the US and England are off their games, this side is one that will knock you down and take the prize.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Fawzi Chaouchi, Lounes Gaouaoui, Rais M'Bolhi
Defenders: Nadir Belhadj, Habib Bellaid, Madjid Bougherra, Halliche, Abdelkader Laifaoui, Carl Medjani, Antar Yahia
Midfielders: Djamel Abdoun, Ryad Boudebouz, Adlène Guédioura, Foued Kadir, Medhi Lacen, Yazid Mansouri, Karim Matmour, Djamel Mesbah, Hassan Yebda, Karim Ziani
Forwards: Rafik Djebbour, Abdelkader Ghezzal, Rafik Saïfi



Slovenia
The team that robbed Russia in their own house

The Utah Jazz called...

Am I the only one who feels a bit of nausea looking at this kit?


I have to admit, I hate this team. Not because of any history I have with them, in fact I know pretty much nothing about them. My hatred stems from the fact that they knocked out one of my favorite teams, Russia. It is because of this little fact, however, that this team truly scares me. Russia is one damn good team, and while it has been argued that they played the playoff match much like UCLA played Utah in the famous '98 NCAA tourney, a lot of credit is still deserved. Looking at their roster and previous results, I dont know a single person yet I am amazed at the fixtures. They know how to grind out results, they play a solid form of football, and are the poster child of a team that works hard to get results. I have no doubts that they will cause issues during the group phases, but that they will be limited to just that, the group phase. England and USA have two very talented coaches with good records. They will not be overlooking teams in this tournament, in fact, I think they are happy to have each other in the same group. Why? Because more can be said and researched on those teams, not much can be done on Slovenia and Algeria. Slovenia is, in my opinion, the greatest threat at disrupting this group. I dont think they will, but I wouldnt be overly surprised if they did.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Jasmin Handanovic, Samir Handanovic, Aleksander Seliga
Defenders: Miso Brecko, Bostjan Cesar, Elvedin Dzinic, Suad Filekovic, Branko Ilic, Bojan Jokic, Matej Mavric, Marko Suler
Midfielders: Valter Birsa, Andraz Kirm, Andrej Komac, Robert Koren, Rene Krhin, Aleksandar Radosavljevic, Dalibor Stevanovic
Forwards: Zlatko Dedic, Zlatan Ljubijankic, Tim Matavz, Milivoje Novakovic, Nejc Pecnik


Matches:
6/12: England 1 - USA 1
6/13: Algeria 0 - Slovenia 0
6/18: Slovenia 1 - USA 2
6/18: England 3 - Algeria 1
6/23: Slovenia 1 - England 1
6/23: USA 2 - Algeria 0

Derived Standings
USA 7 pts, +3 GD, 5 GF, 2 GA
England 5 pts, +2 GD, 5 GF, 3 GA
Slovenia 2 pts, -1 GD, 2 GF, 3 GA
Algeria 1 pt, -4 GD, 1 GF, 5 GA

Best Kit in Group: USA Home
- Honorable mention to Slovenia and Algeria Home's

Worst Kit in Group: Algeria Road
- Honorable mention to England and Slovenia Road's

Cheers,
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