Loftus Versfeld; Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa

 

England is considered a European powerhouse and can count themselves among the elite that have won a World Cup (1966). Today their reputation is not what it could be. With plenty of names they always seem to meet an untimely end in the Cup. Perhaps the ends have not been untimely, but deserved, in light of an English football ego.

Their roster is packed with major names from the Premier League and beyond, including loaned midfielder David Beckham, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and many others. A matchup between former LA Galaxy teammates Beckham and Landon Donovan might make for extra entertainment, and any competition against Mother England is always a little extra fun.

 

England dominated their qualifying group, UEFA-6, going 9-0-1. with 27 points. Ukraine managed the only win against England, after they had already qualified.

Vs. USA All-Time: 7-0-2  Never met in World Cup.

Eagle Sports Prediction: 1st place Group C

 

May 24, 2010 England V Mexico 3-1 (England: King, Crouch, G. Johnson; Mexico: Franco)

March 3, 2010 England vs Egypt 3-1 (England: Crouch (2), Wright-Phillips; Egypt: Zidan)

 

 

Having played their first game in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia the Slovenian team has come a long way. Having only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, they are again back and looking to establish their national team as a real power. Look for Milivoje Novakovic to try and score for Slovenia, he is the team's leading international scorer.

Slovenia put up a respectable 6-2-2 record in their qualifying group, which was not the strongest with opponents like San Marino and Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, they made it through with 20 points tying group winner Slovakia and they look to keep fighting.

Eagle Sports Prediction: 4th Place in Group C

 

March 3, 2010 Slovenia vs Qatar 4-1

 

 

The Algerian soccer team was founded under top-secret conditions in 1957 while the government underwent a separation from colonial power France. After player arrests and FIFA protests, the Algerians gained admittance and set to work playing the game. After qualifying in 1982 and 1986 they have been absent until 2010. Look for shots out of veteran Rafik Saifi, Karim Ziani of Germany's champion Wolfsburg club and youngster Abdelkader Ghezzal, of Italy's Siena. In 1998 the US struggled against an underwhelming Iranian team that won 2-1, so this will not be an easy win.

Algeria is currently ranked at their highest ever, 29th in the world. They advanced easily through the African playoffs and beat rival Egypt to secure their spot in South Africa. 

Eagle Sports Prediction: 3rd place Group C

 

Jan. 28, 2010 Algeria vs Egypt 0-4

Jan. 30, 2010 Nigeria vs Algeria 1-0

May 28, 2010 Ireland vs Algeria 3-0

 

 

The Men's US team is suffering from key injuries right now and looks to put up a team that will have some experience gaps.

 

US MNT vs Honduras, L 1-3, Jan. 23, 2010, Carson, CA

US MNT vs El Salvador, W 2-1, Feb. 24, 2010, Tampa, FL

US MNT vs Netherlands, L 1-2, March 3, 2010, Amsterdam, NL

US MNT vs Czech Republic, L 2-4, May 25th, 2010, Hartford, CT

US MNT vs Turkey, W 2-1, May 29th, 2010, Philadelphia, PA

 

US MNT vs Australia, June 5, 2010 @ Roodepoort, South Africa.

 

Brad Guzan (2010), Marcus Hahnemann (2006, 2010), Tim Howard (2006, 2010)
DEFENDERS (7):

Carlos Bocanegra (2006, 2010), Jonathan Bornstein (2010), Steve Cherundolo (2002, 2006, 2010), Jay DeMerit (2010), Clarence Goodson (2010), Oguchi Onyewu (2006, 2010), Jonathan Spector (2010)
MIDFIELDERS (9):

DaMarcus Beasley (2002, 2006, 2010), Michael Bradley (2010), Ricardo Clark (2010), Clint Dempsey (2006, 2010), Landon Donovan (2002, 2006, 2010), Maurice Edu (2010), Benny Feilhaber (2010), Stuart Holden (2010), José Torres (2010)
FORWARDS (4):

Jozy Altidore (2010), Edson Buddle (2010), Robbie Findley (2010), Herculez Gomez (2010)