Now that we're through the first set of games we (the right and left sides of my brain) have come to a consensus on the best team made up from the best performers on the pitch so far. “But Andy,” you say, “The first set of games aren’t over yet, Saudi Arabia is still playing Tunisia.” Yeah I know and I don’t really care being that I am sleeping right now. Well, while I’m getting my ‘Z’s, here it is in all its glory:
Defense:
van Bronkhorst - Holland
Marquez – Mexico
Sancho – Trinidad & Tobago
Goalie:
Hislop – Trinidad & Tobago
Spain now look like one of the most cohesive teams in the tournament. They’re the only team with a mid-day game that battled off the heat and weren’t walking the pitch by minute 30. In fact the only time I saw them walking, was when they were four nil up and in extra-time. They also are the only team that has really infiltrated a defense that, like many others, parked the team bus in front of their goal. Rather than rely on outside shooting (Brazil), Spain was able to penetrate numerous times until Ukraine finally cracked. Spain is looking like one of the best teams in the tournament after carving up a Ukrainian team that topped their group in qualifying. Now Spain is looking like a solid contender to win.
This is one of the most well-oiled and unified Spanish squads in a long while. Many people are probably kicking themselves for not choosing them to go further in the tournament --- well not this guy at least. Spain is my choice to win it all. After the first game, it’s not looking like as bad of a decision as many of you would've first assumed.
Yeah I would not mind seeing Spain go far. They are kind of the Seattle of Europe. LOL.
Nice lineups but I would almost want to squeeze Riquelme of Argentina into that midfield and maybe throw Robben up front over Klose. Tough call since Klose scored twice. Maybe Robben and Klose start and you use Cahill as your supersub.
Anyway you should swing by my blog. I wrote a review of the early part of the first round a few posts ago.
I like soccer. I watch a lot of soccer. Sometimes I play soccer and it's a sad site.
I pretty much exclusively support Liverpool after being deserted by the MLS (see: San Jose Clash… I mean Earthquakes… I mean Houston 1836? errr… Dynamo, whatever). I’ve been following the game since 1995, and in-depth since about 2002. I’m currently a senior in college at Arizona and catch Sounders games over the summer in Seattle. So yup, that’s about it.
