TYAC is split between Thiago Silva…
Garrett McInnis with the TYAC Writers
With the start of the World Cup past us, we wanted to throw out a few predictions for this year’s champion.
Editors Note: These predictions were requested and submitted prior to the tournament kickoff Thursday. Due to travel time to Brazil, we simply couldn’t post on time. Have fun heckling what’s already wrong. – TYAC
While we’re all just going to be sitting back and enjoying this month, no matter how it plays out, it never hurts to get some predictions on the record. It’s important for our bragging rights and even more so for our readers to know exactly how clueless we really are about this stuff. So without further ado, here’s a few guesses from TYAC crew for who the winning nation will be.
Jon Levy – Brazil
Brazil will win the World Cup because they have a 34 year old goalkeeper who plays in Major League Soccer. Wait, hold up, let me start again, I can do better.
Brazil will win the World Cup because they’re a battle-tested and cohesive unit comprised of world class players, most of whom are in their prime. Oh, and they’re the hosts of this World Cup, so there’s another advantage. No European team has ever won the whole thing in South America, but I’m not hanging my hat on that historical stat. I’m hanging my hat on half this Brazilian team that comprised the 2012 Olympic squad, and ran roughshod over the field before being stunned by Mexico in the Gold Medal Match. I’m hitching my wagon to those same guys who graduated to the senior team in the summer of 2013 and put a boot right through Spain’s tiki-taka face in the Confederations Cup Final, but not before showing steely resolve in a hard fought win over Uruguay in the semi. And then there are the players themselves to consider. Brazil is healthy, and comprised of the right of amount of flare players that make Brazil who they are, and hard men like Luis Gustavo, Dante, and debatably the best central defender on earth, Thiago Silva. He’s the captain, and he’ll be the one lifting the trophy high into the Rio de Janeiro night.
and Messi’s Argentina…
Garrett McInnis – Argentina
I’m picking Argentina. Couple of reasons: They are South American and will be fully prepared to play in the heat and humidity that will cause issues for so many other sides. They’re a team that has the potential to score on anyone. Such a sumptuous attacking team is just hard to resist. They also happen to have the (second)best player in the world who is coming off of a disappointing season with the chance to reassert his stature in the game. Messi is enough of a problem for defenses but he’ll hardly be alone. Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero and Angel Di Maria who just a few weeks ago destroyed the Atletico defense on the way to a Champions League title with Real Madrid. It’s been pointed out to me that there’s this component of the game called ‘defense’ which often foils the Argentinian side. While noted, it’s important to point out that this squad hasn’t allowed a goal in their past 5 matches. Let’s hope for my sake that continues.
Lastly, there’s the immense pressure that Brazil will be under to win on their home soil. I think this opens up a chance for another supremely talented squad to take advantage of a key moment in the knockout stages. I pick Argentina, the hated rival, to be that squad.
Connor Walsh – Brazil
After the dominance of the Confederations Cup, the pressure and appeal of playing in front of their home fans. Brazil will Joga Bonito their way through the group with ease. The offense is too powerful and defense is good enough.
Guy Bailey – Argentina
Apart from Messi, who may or may not be 100 percent fit, they’ve still got Agueroooooooo as he’s known in England for his injury time championship clincher two seasons ago. They also have Maxi Rodriguez, Mascherano, Higuain, and Di Maria – strength from front to back. So much so that Tevez can’t even make the squad. Also add in a favourable group and draw and they’ve got a gilded path already.
Also, prepare for disappointed Shakira images. Spain will not acquit themselves well.
Neil W. Blackmon — Brazil
A sixth star for Brazil and one that I think will be appreciated even if it’s more 1994 Brazil than joga bonito.
Everyone likes Lionel Messi but the thinking here is there are fitness issues, Messi’s team still lacks balance around him and the driving argument you hear for Argentina is “attacking talent plus Leo’s legacy.” That’s a great dream but it doesn’t track back in the knockout stages.
Manager Luiz Felipe “Big Phil” Scolari, who guided the Seleção to the ’02 World Cup title, has built a team that is dominant in the back, led by captain Thiago Silva and David Luiz. They have just enough in attack, with Neymar Jr. and Hulk, who I think will be one of the stories of the tournament. Toss in the fact that Brazil hasn’t lost in official competition on home soil since 1975 and you have a recipe for a second World Cup this century for Brazil.
If you need sleepers, I’ve got them. Bosnia and Herzegovina are my team destined for the semifinals. They have great balance and two splendid players in Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic. After the opener against Argentina, the draw isn’t dreadful and you’d have to like their chances in the Round of 16 against France, Ecuador, Switzerland or Honduras.
If you need a disappointment, here’s one- Spain. I think they’ll lose to a Holland team many are disrespecting in the opening match and then have to fight tooth and nail to escape the group with Chile more than capable of beating them. La Furia Roja haven’t looked the same since Carlos Puyol left the side and tiki-taka, while still foreboding, is less attractive as the players get older. Diego Costa will have a good tournament but Spain will disappoint.
Finally, the US will beat Ghana but not escape the group. I still think the Portugal match is, on paper, a better matchup for the United States and nothing in any of the sides warmups has changed my mind. But I think the US isn’t too far from Ghana on talent and World Cups are funny things. It’s tough to defeat a similarly situated team three times, and I think the US will eek out a win in Natal before tying in Manaus and going out on differential.
Garret McInnis is a longtime contributing writer to The Yanks Are Coming. Follow him on Twitter at @captainmcinnis.