The first round has come and gone with only a few minor surprises but in terms of advancing there were really no surprises.  South Korea over Japan, the USA losing to Canada, Panama going 0 for 3, some minor shakes but nothing earth shattering. Having gone 7 for 8 in the who's who department (I honestly thought Panama would contend) it's time to preview the second round of play.

Pool One -

USA - Having their wake-up call against Canada the US rebounded against S. Africa.  Big deal, right?  Well, losing is never good, but in one sense it helpd the American squad, it took the pressure off of them, or at least woke them up.  Coming into the tournament the US wasn't expected to lose a game.  I'm sure there was a little bit of arrogance involved on the team as well.  Really team USA  was in a bad spot, in the eyes of everyone, they couldn't lose, they weren't allowed to lose.  Well, they lost, the world has not ended, life and the tournament move on.  Don't expect round 2 to show the same US performance as the first, with the loss and a less than impressive win vs. Mexico.  Don't expect them to lose again but if they do, it is the best time to do so.  The USA might not finish 1st in this round, but if they don't they will be in 2nd and advance to the semi's.

Mexico - Mexico showed some good stuff in round 1, beating Canada and S. Africa and hanging with the USA.  Playing in Phoenix didn't hurt either as the team had a rather large following at their games.  Now onto Anaheim they should still see a large following at their games and have as much of a "home-field advantage" as the USA.  Will there success continue? We shall see.

Japan - Finishing 2nd via a loss to S. Korea was an embaressment to the team and it's players, at least in their eyes.  Is it going to produce the same wake-up call as it did for the Americans?  That remains to be seen, having a much longer layoff between rounds could spell trouble for both Japan and S. Korea.  Their 1st game of the round will probally be a make or break situation for this club, unfortunately for them the game is against the US squad.  If they drop that game they could be looking at getting blanked in Round 2.

S. Korea - Beating Japan was the highlight for the team from Round 1.  Let's just hope that they won't let that they aren't content with that.  Like Japan they had a long layoff between rounds and only played 1 quality opponent.  Like Japan Game 1 will be an important one for them.  The Mexico - S. Korea match-up may decide who goes on and who goes home, tough proposition for both Round 1 winners. 

Who moves on - The USA should have more than enough to grab one of the top two spots and advance.  Mexico / S. Korea - obviously whoever wins their head to head will probally be in the best position to move on.  In Round One I picked Mexico over Canada partly due to a closer proximity to "home".  In Round 2 they have a decided edge over S. Korea in that department, add in the lengthy lay-off for the Koreans and Mexico should advance.

Pool Two -

Dominican Republic - They looked like the team everyone thought they were going to be in Round One.  As I stated in the Round One preview their offense should make up for any lack of depth in the pitching department, give up 6 runs, score 7.  That's the way the Dominican's will win.  They were pushed to the limits against Venezuela before breaking out in the top of the 9th.  Now add Cuba and Puerto Rico to the mix.  Barring an unexpected upset expect them in the top 2 and to advance to the semi's

Venezuela - If it wasn't for a horrid top of the 9th this team might been at the top looking down on the rest of the pool.  They didn't though, the race to advance to the semi's in this Pool is going to be tough from the top to the bottom.  They will contend, but how well?

Puerto Rico - Currently are in the drivers seat at the top of their division (7-1 in the bottom of the 4th vs. Cuba).  They are a real power to be reckoned with and of course will be right there in contention for the semi's.

Cuba - Well occasionally I will make mistakes, I really did think Panama had a better chance of qualifying to the second round than Cuba.  Oops, my bad, it happens.  I was really thinking that this was going to be extremely hard to call who would advance besides the Dominican Republic, but Cuba is presently getting hammered by Puerto Rico.  Sure the new round means everyone starts over again at 0-0, but with Panama not showing up at all, they are currently losing the only real test they've had and decidely at the moment.  Their road will only get harder.

Who will advance - You can count the Dominican in, even with a surprise loss they should still land in the top 2.  Just like the US team they are too powerful not to advance.  The other spot is a battle between Venezuela and Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico is more than capable of sweeping round play and garnering the top spot in Pool Two.  Venezuela, I don't see them as being as much of a threat to gain the top spot.  They will need to beat the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico, both would almost guarntee a spot, in any tie they would have a edge in depth of pitching and therefore fewer runs allowed, on paper.  I like this team, I really do, but I don't see them being able to squeeze out of this round.  The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico should advance.