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  • World Cup 2014: Does Team USA Stand A Chance?

    The American national team will have its work cut out for it going into the 2014 World Cup. Team USA managed to land in a really tough group.

    The United States is in Group G with Portugal, Germany, and Ghana. It was Ghana that knocked the United States out of the 2010 World Cup before going on to lose in a controversial match with Uruguay.

    While Portugal was knocked out during the first knockout round by Spain, Germany would be knocked out by Spain at the quarterfinal stage. Germany would go on to play for and win the third place award.

    The United States was thought to have been part of a tough group in 2010, but this group is far more difficult.

    The odds of the United States advancing are slim, but not impossible. Having been knocked out by Ghana multiple times in the past, the US team may be motivated to up their game against their international rivals.

    At the same time, Portugal has not been so impressive as of late, having also been knocked out at the same stage as the United States in the last World Cup.

    Germany will likely be the toughest opponent, but a win can happen. Stranger things have happened in football.

    While United States is one of the biggest underdogs in the World Cup, there are some heavy favorites.

    Brazil is hosting the World Cup this year and many expect the talented nation to go far, if not win it all. Because it is a South American-hosted tournament, it is possible that if not Brazil, pride may make South and Central Americans compete that much harder to keep the trophy on the continent rather than see it go back to Europe.

    Spain, the defending champions, will likely have a huge target on its back. It won’t just be South American countries seeking to stop them from repeating their 2010 success; Germany and the Netherlands will likely be out for revenge.

    The World Cup starts June 12.

    Image via YouTube

  • FIFA World Cup 2014: Will Brazil Be Ready?

    Brazil will be hosting the next FIFA World Cup, but many are wondering if they will be ready in time, as there are less than 3 months left before the event is scheduled to begin.

    Cuiaba, the capital city of Brazil’s Mato Grosso state, is filled with unfinished structures that were supposed to be done last December. Reports also say that construction is behind schedule in 11 other host cities. Six of the 12 World Cup stadiums have been finished last summer in time for the Confederations Cup, but the other six stadiums missed their deadline. To date, four stadiums remain to be under construction.

    In 2007, after Brazil got the World Cup, politicians stated that an $8 billion budget would be spent on nationwide projects for the renovation and construction in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. However, some of the infrastructures have not yet been completed, with only a few months remaining.

    Sports economist, Victor Matheson, said, “They started late and have boxed themselves in.” Now, efforts have to be doubled in order to make sure that the stadiums get finished on time. The delays in construction have been embarrassing for a lot of Brazilians, and many are even angered by it. A number of Brazilians also say that the country has lost, even if they win the World Cup. According to local businessman, Atilio Martinelli, there is a slim chance that all the other projects will be finished in time for the World Cup. “It’s going to be a great humiliation for us.” Martinelli runs a locksmith business located near one of the building sites. Brazil seemed like the ideal location to hold a soccer event. However, things are looking bleak with all the debris and unfinished infrastructures. There were also anti-government protests that happened during the World Cup pre-tournament, which happened last year.

    Brazil Works Hard To Complete Venues For World Cup 2014

    http://youtu.be/fulwjsA-sGI

    Image via YouTube

  • FIFA World Cup: U.S. Draws ‘Group Of Death’

    FIFA World Cup: U.S. Draws ‘Group Of Death’

    The U.S team will face tough competition in the first round of the 2014 World Cup. The team wound up in the ‘group of death‘, comprising of Ghana, Portugal and Germany. Soccer analysts say it would be a big accomplishment if the U.S. progress to the next level.  Ghana had eliminated the U.S. in the last two World Cups while Germany and Portugal are composed of the world’s top soccer stars – namely Ronaldo Cristiano of Portugal.

    Adding to the U.S. team’s challenge is the ridiculous amount of travelling they will need to do. They will have to cover about 9,000 miles to compete in all their group matches. The U.S. team, however, may be the best equipped to handle the hectic travel schedule because their level of fitness is said to be superior to that of other teams. In 2010, the team lacked depth. They had the heart but not the endurance, which caused them to claw their way into the second round — that should not be the case this year. The team’s exceptional fitness will also serve them well when playing in the harsh rainforest conditions in Brazil. Many of the matches will not just be about skill but also be a real test of endurance.

    “It’s going to be difficult for them to advance, but not impossible,” said Steve Sampson, former U.S coach.

    However, U.S. captain Clint Dempsey is refusing to dampen team spirit by saying, “I think we have the quality, if we play our best ball, to get out of the group”.

    Dempsey further stressed the importance of self believe, “You can’t think about, am I the favorite? Am I the underdog? What’s it going to be like playing in the heat? What’s it going to be like with the travel?” Those are factors that come into it, but at the end of the day both teams have to deal with it.”

    U.S. Head Coach Says Draw Is Tough, But They Are Prepared.

    Watch Video.

    (image via YouTube)

  • Brazil Stadium Collapse Kills 3

    Brazil Stadium Collapse Kills 3

    The Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao Stadium collapsed on Wednesday, killing three workers. The stadium is set to house the 2014 World Cup and there is no certainty if it will be ready.

    There was substantial damage to the – nearly complete – structure.

    Television images showed a huge metal structure buckled atop the stadium, destroying part of the stands in the east side of the venue. A LED panel installed outside the venue also was hit.

    Luckily the accident happened during the worker’s lunch break, or more injuries and deaths could have occurred.

    Local military police say the soil beneath the crane gave way as it was putting the final truss of the east stand into place. Project bosses of the stadium admitted last week they were facing an uphill battle to get it ready for the opening match of the World Cup.

    Cranes and diggers have been working on the site – six years after the nation was awarded the tournament.

    The stadium is able to hold 70,000 people and was almost ready for the June 12th opening. No word yet if it will be completed.

    It was scheduled to host five other matches and was initially built for the Confederations Cup this year, but was scrapped when the construction was delayed due to financing issues.

    “We know the safety of all workers has always been paramount for all the construction companies contracted to build the 12 FIFA World Cup stadiums,” it said in a statement. “The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Giovanni Trapattoni Steps Down As Irish Team Manager

    Although Ireland has not had a lot of success historically at the FIFA World Cup competition, that has not affected the love of the sport harbored by the people of the country. However, the lack of production on the pitch has lead the team’s manager to step down.

    As yet another World Cup-less four years approaches manager Giovanni Trapattoni has announced that he will step down in what is being called a mutual decision. The announcement comes after a 1-0 loss to Austria on Tuesday that all but assures that Ireland will miss the Cup, which will be held next year in Brazil.

    Trapattoni had nothing but nice things to say in the wake of his departure:

    “I want to thank everyone in Ireland who has given us their support during our time here which has always meant a lot to us. We leave this country with emotion because we understand the Irish supporters who have a well-deserved international reputation and they have our utmost respect.”

    The other side is being just as positive about the move. Football Association of Ireland President John Delaney is looking forward to the possibility of a bright future:

    “This particular World Cup campaign has been disappointing, but Giovanni leaves us with a group of good young players which should form the basis of the squad that the new manager will use for the European Championships in France 2016 when 24 teams qualify.”

    74-year-old Trapattoni is likely done in the managing world, but he leaves behind a well-respected, albeit largely unsuccessful legacy with the Irish national team.

    [Image via IrishSoccerTeamNews]