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Report User With the first weekend of World Cup behind us and the USA's first game in the rearview mirror, I thought I would give a little recap.
Best game:
Germany vs. Costa Rica would have gotten my vote before this morning. It had some great goals, fired up fans, and individual stars Wanchope vs. Klose. But after seeing the Socceroos pull off the win from Down Under I have to say that was the best game yet. Japan scored in the first half on what was kind of a weak goal. While a certain american announcer was whining for a penalty it was really more of an awful read by the Aussie keeper than anything else. And just when you thought the team with the best nickname in the tournament was out of it. Tim Cahill comes on and scores a goal to tie it in the 85th minute. Then instead of being satisfied with the late tie the Socceroos score two more for a total of three goals in the final 6 minutes. Australia beats Japan 3-1 in a phenomenal game.
Best super sub
Tim Cahill for Australia runs away with this one. Two goals in the final minutes of the the best game so far makes Gus Hiddink look like a genius.
Most Surprising team:
While no outcome was more miraculous or surprising then Trinibad and Tobago's draw with Sweden, T and T's goalie was a mixture of incredible and lucky in a game where Sweden could have scored 4 or more goals. The team that I was most surprised by was Ecuador. They came out agressive and confident against the European favorites Poland. They showed a complete game with good shielding, strong play in the midfield, great shooting, passion (keeper had the Ecuador flag painted on his face), and a little bit of luck (Two of Poland's shots fired off the post) that is needed to make a good run in this tourney. Ecuador has proven to me that they will not be intimidated by any foe and that they are not to be taken lightly.
Big Win for Big Faves:
Argentina is as talented as any team in the world but that has not stopped them from blowing in recent World Cups. They didn't even play arguably two of the most talented players in the world in Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez because they have two other great stars with more experience in Jacier Saviola and Hernan Crespo (both who scored). Not only was the pressure already on this team but they had to play a very determined and talented Ivory Coast in what many considered the group of death. Argentina looked awesome though getting some of the best midfield play of the tournament out of Juan Roman Riquelme. With all this talent on the field and even more ready on the bench Argentina looks to threaten any team.
Lucky win for Big faves.
England lucked out in there win over Paraguay. An onw goal in the third minute was really the only time England threatened to score. Sure they came away with the win but this favorite is going to need Wayne Rooney to come back from his injury but to come back with a vengeance if they are going to go far.
Concacaftastic
Mexico the lone team to win out of the Concacaf. They did a great job witholding the passionate early charge of Iran and keeping there heads and playing a full 90 minutes. they used there superior skills and teamworl to win a tough game 3-1.
Best Goal
There has already been a multitude of great goals to choose from in this tourney. Koller and Bravo's headers, Lahm and Rosicky's blasts, Robben and Rosicky's breakaways but I am going to have to go with Frings one-time shot against Costa Rica. The goal put Germany up 4-2 in the exciting World Cup opener and really got this tourney rolling. As a side note the Ibrahimovic Kung-Fu volley shot was the best almost goal.
Best assist
Luis Figo's beauty in the 4th minute to Palueta against Angola takes the cake in what ended up being a very close 1-0 win for Portugal.
Best Goalie....s
I have to give this to two goalies. One was Hislop of Trinidad and Tobago who played his guts out in an uncanny tie. The amount of saves he made and his fearless decision making truly was the only reason they came out with a draw. The other went to a losing goalkeeper. Kingston for Ghana really impressed me today. He made save after save after save. He save every shot that was humanly possible to save. It is just too bad for him that Pirlo's strike and a give away by his defender were unsaveable. Great goalie play out of Africa so far.
speaking of goalies... bigger than the pitch moment
It is more than a game and Iran showed that with great sportsmanship before its Mexico game. Oswaldo Sanchez had to bury his late father just days before this match, and Iran acknowledged both Oswaldo and his father with class delivering him a bouqet of flowers and a hug that was worth more that I am sure words could describe. Sanchez also went on to play a tremendous game and it was moving moment seeing him on his knees crying to the sky after the game. My prayers go out to Oswaldo and his family.
Best Midfield
Czech Republic were brilliant in the midfield against the USA. Even though US had a bulk of the possesion the Czech midfield lead by Pave Nedved and Thomas Rosicky knew exactly what it wanted to do when it got the ball. Attack. They had no wasted runs, passes or shots out of the midfield. There play lead to a one-sided 3-0 win.
Worst midfield
While Trinadad and Tobago and Ivory Coast did not have very good midfield play they are not supposed to. USA's midfield was supposed to fast and fierce but instead it was slow, undecided, and helpless. Bobby Convey was hesitant and intimidated on the leftside and Demarcus Beasley was far worse on the right side. Pablo Mastroeni and Landon Donovan were nowhere to be found the whole game (at least Mastroeni has an excuse for the 2nd half.... he was subbed out at halftime).
Best Defense
Italy's defense is at it again. Buffon made some very tough saves look easy out of the goal and the defensive line blocked more shots than an Andrei Kirelenko, Kevin Garnett, and Yao Ming front court. Ghana attacked but evey time tehy got close it was the Italians who were in perfect position. This does not fare well for the USA who looked impotent on offense today.
Coaching questions???
The pressure on Juergenn Klinsmann will not go away any time soon and with German fave Oliver Kahn playing back up to Jens Lehmann who allowed to goals that will continue to be a decision to be questioned. For the other question you have to look at the worse loss in the World Cup so far. Bruce Arena played 5 midfielders and one striker against the best attacking team in all of Europe. That obviously will be questioned by many after the brutal loss. But should he have also known that Cherundolo would be outmatched and that Beasley has had a bad year leading up to this World Cup? What about Clint Dempsey? Dempsey a young goal scorer out of the right midfield known for his flashy offense, fearlessness in the box, and celebrations after goals would have been a perfect person to sub in for and probably start over Mr. Beasley. After these first games no coach deserves to be questioned more than Bruce Arena.
Best player so far
Thomas Rosicky wins this one with a close second going to Klose and Riquelme. Rosicky was brilliant in his first World Cup apperance scoring on goal with power and precision and another with speed and finesse. He nearly had a hatrick too with another torpedo from deep finding the crossbar.
Still to come
My longest post yet and we have still not even seen 10 teams including some team called Brazil. The defending World Champions have the Worlds best player in Ronaldinho and a striker on the verge of breaking the World Cup record for career goals in Ronaldo. And that is just scratching the surface of this loaded squad.
Keep yo head up
Fans of teams that dissapointed. Remember that a win in the second game can put you right back to first in this group. This tourney is far from over.
Practice... we talking about practice?" 
