Wednesday Review of Group C and D Final Games; Thursday Preview

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Group A and B Final Reviews and Wednesday Preview

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Thursday Wrap-Up: You Want Goals? We Got 'Em! Plus, Friday Preview and Odd Stats

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Sunday Wrapup I: Algeria and Slovenia Disappoint but Ghana Does Not

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Review of England-USA: Once Again, Football Isn't Coming Home

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Previews of Saturday Games: South Korea-Greece, Nigeria-Argentina, and USA-England

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US Opponent Watch: Why England Needs A Tactical Makeover

England's recent 3-1 victory over Mexico was an extremely flattering result. England chased the ball for much of the game, out-passed and out-paced by a technically superior Mexico side, and owed their victory primarily to Peter Crouch's height advantage over a small Mexican back line and Carlos Vela's woeful finishing (he is capable of better and will have to step up in South Africa if Mexico is to advance). If England is truly to be a title contender, a comprehensive tactical re-think is needed.

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The US Roster Isn't A Surprise For A Third-Tier Soccer Power

There are actually few surprises on the US squad despite the headlines indicating otherwise. Some may be taken aback at some of the omissions but they really shouldn't be: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo) was left off, but he has never really gelled with the team (he came in 2006 and didn't play a single minute of football). Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) was also left off after featuring often in the Cup's run-up but his wild tackling that caused him to see red at the 2009 Confederations Cup can't have helped his chances. Eddie Johnson hasn't appeared for Fulham for years, and his loan spell this season at Aris Thessaloniki was less than impressive.

What the decision to pick two relative unknowns for forward to replace the injured Charlie Davies (Sochaux) shows is how weak the squad really is.

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Surprise Selections (and other news) from Group C, the Most Overrated Group in South Africa -- England, USA, Slovenia, and Algeria

The hype surrounding this group could move mountains. That's because it contains the Cup's two most overrated teams, at least by their fans - England and the USA. But interestingly, Group C also has two of South Africa's more underrated squads - Algeria and particularly Slovenia. Upsets are definitely possible in a group without a truly dominant squad.

So, it's on to recent developments with the teams, in an order of finish on which we wouldn't bet the farm:

ENGLAND

Every four years, the English are convinced that "football is coming home." But the reporters who cover the team - who usually join in the mass delusion - have begun to notice that the good ship England is taking on water. Note the recent headlines: "England Remain A World Cup Longshot," (from When Saturday Comes) and "Rest of the World Will Not Fear England Squad," says Oliver Kay" (from the UK Times). After a season in the always tough and physical Premier League, England's players are tired and hurting, and the team never had a keeper, or a decent second striker, or enough defenders to be a top-flight contender anyway. That's why manager Fabio Capello tried to get both the aged Paul Scholes (Man U) to return (he failed, fortunately) and defender Jamie Carragher of Liverpool (he succeeded, unfortunately), who had already lost a step several years ago. This is the same Jamie Carragher who wrote in his autobiography after he retired from international duty two years ago, "I was never in love with playing for England in the first place." Not a good sign.

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Beckham is a Sentimental Loss for England, Not A Real One

Ollie Kay of the UK Times has it about right: David Beckham is a sentimental loss to the Cup (and our cover!) but not to the team. He likely would have come in only at the end of games in the hopes of taking an important free kick or even a penalty kick (which given his history, he might well have missed). Life marches on.