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Netherlands over Mexico Key Player: Memphis Depay  Costa Rica over Greece Key Player: Joel Campbell 

Knockout Stage - Match Day 1 - 6/28/14 Brazil over Chile                                       Key Player:   Neymar  - Sean Sullivan, Pitch-360 F.C. Columbia  over Uruguay                              Key Player:   James Rodriguez - Sean Kelly, Cuindependent

1. Playing To Win Not To Draw Despite the obvious advantages in a draw with Germany, it is vital that the United States take the game to the Germans. Sitting back and allowing Germany to dictate the flow of the game will result in a loss for the Americans and the potential for a  devastating early exit from Brazil. Germany has an abundance of excellent passers who will pick apart the central defenders if given the ability to roam freely through the midfield.  With that said, look for Klinsmann to use a formation which will allow the United States to capitalize on the counter attack.  Attempting to mimic the German's style is a tactic that I believe Klinsmann has considered.  If successfully integrated it would the United States would blaze into the knockout stage with a full head of steam. DeAndre Yedlin should feature as a sub again 2. Making Impact Substitutions  For the Americans to win Klinsmann will need to choose his subs very carefully.   DeAndre Yedlin was b

Manchester United has reportedly come to terms with Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera after activating his 36 million pound release clause.  The highly rated 24-year-old has made 94 appearances since joining Bilbao from Real Zaragoza in 2011. Herrera has played himself through the Spanish international ranks but after a promising start failed to make the 23 man squad for the World Cup.  Herrera's knack for striking from distance and his tackling ability seem a great fit alongside fellow Spaniard Juan Mata.

Top Ten So Far... Goals- Player  (Country) 4 - Neymar  (Brazil) 3 - Robben  (Holland)   3 - Van Persie  (Holland)  3 - Mueller  (Germany)  3 - Benzema  (France)  3 -  Rodríguez  (Colombia)  3 - Enner Valencia (Ecuador) 2 - Messi (Argentina) 2 - Su á rez  (Uruguay)  2 - Dempsey (USA)

Top Ten So Far... Goals- Player  (Country) 3 - Müller  (Germany) 3 - Robben  (Holland)   3 - Van Persie  (Holland)   2 -  Neymar  (Brazil)  2 - Mandzukic  (Croatia)  2 - Benzema  (France)  2 -  Cahill  (Australia)  2 -  Rodríguez  (Colombia)  2 - Gervinho  (Ivory Coast)  2 - Su á rez  (Uruguay) 

Group G aka The Group Of Death THIS GROUP IS THE GROUP OF DEATH FOR A REASON AND WITH THAT SAID ANYTHING OR ANYONE CAN ADVANCE...BET WITH CAUTION! Group G Prediction  1. Germany 2. The United States of America  3. Ghana 4. Portugal  Germany  - FIFA Ranking - 2 Germany is going to win this group.  The team sheet contains a plethora of world-class players at every position.  Defensively Philip Lahm (FC Bayern Munich) , Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) and Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) standout as the key members of a back-line supported by goalkeeper Manuel Nuer (FC Bayern Munich ).  The midfield is also stacked as veterans Bastion Schweinsteiger and  Thomas Muller   (FC Bayern Munich) will headline.  The issue I see Germany possibly running into is the selection of only one traditional out and out striker Miroslav Klose (Lazio). To counter this they will play a false 9 meaning they will prefer midfielders to an abundance of forwards.   They will win the group but will be push

Group F Group F Prediction  1.  Argentina 2. Bosnia- Herzegovina   3. Nigeria 4. Iran  Argentina  - FIFA Ranking - 5 Argentina need no  lengthy  introduction.  Leading the charge will be Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona).   The captain is in position to make a case for challenging legend Diego  Maradona  as one of the most  successful  and overall talented players in the history of world football.   Argentina's mix of experience on the international and club stages will be crucial as they will make a deep run into the later rounds of the World Cup.  The real strength of the squad is the depth of attacking power as Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) and Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) have the skill to be fielded as starters. My  Player You Should Know  is Angel di Maria (Real Madrid) .  The 26-year-old was nothing short of  fabulous  in the Champions League Final and is poised to continue his run of play in the World Cup.  The midfielder is an all around ace as h

Group E Group E Prediction  1. France  2. Switzerland 3. Ecuador 4. Honduras France  - FIFA Ranking - 17 Les Bleus, "The Blues", have lost third place finisher in voting for FIFA Footballer of the Year Franck Ribery (FC Bayern Munich) to injury.  This is a massive blow as he has proven to be a main driving force in the French attack however, it sets up a story book entry onto the World Cup stage for Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad).  Griezmann  had an explosive club campaign and in 4 appearances for the national team has tallied 3 goals.  He will need to rise to the opportunity along side Yohan Cabaye (PSG), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille) and Blaise Matuidi (PSG).   The French frontline provides in form EPL forward  Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) and the versatile Loic Remy (QPR).   Whomever partners forward  Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) will be supplied with multiple chances to find the back of the net. My  Player You Should Know  is  Paul Pogba (Juventus) .  The 21-

Group D Group D Prediction  1. Uruguay  2. England 3. Italy  4. Costa Rica   Uruguay  - FIFA Ranking - 7 Le Celeste, "The Sky Blue One," advancing is the one team I guarantee will advance from this group. Anchoring a squad soaked in talent is central defender Diego Godin (Athletic Madrid) .   Uruguay's ability to play beautiful football relies on the midfield and forwards having good communication.  Le Celeste bolsters "The Flarish Three": Luiz Suarez (Liverpool) , Edinson Cavani (PSG) and my personal favorite Diego Forlan (Cereszo Osaka).  If Suarez is deemed health as he is returning from injury and Forlan is given the gift of playing time in what will most likely be his last Word Cup, then I can see the trio combining for some serious scoring. My  Player You Should Know  is Gaston Ramirez (Southampton) .  After making a 12.5 million dollar transfer from Genoa , suffering injuries disrupted what was meant to be a breakout season for the atta