Amid working every day and everything else, I've been fortunate enough to see every game of the World Cup thus far. Earlier in the spring, in anticipation up to this year's tournament, I started watching games I had taped from the Cup in 2002 (I know, it's lame). I have to say the play in this Cup has been a lot better and more exciting thus far (unless you are a U.S. or France fan). There have been only two goalless games, and if anyone saw the T&T v. Sweden game, they saw a group of players from Trinidad and Tobago become national heroes by fending off a very talented Sweden team. Shaka Hislop (who played in the F.A. Cup Final against Liverpool, losing only on penalties (I was surprised the commentators didn't mention that)) had a truly world class game. That game didn't need any goals. I'd like to see if T&T can keep it up. And what a game the Australians had! They were tremendous. Down a goal the whole game until about ten minutes to go in the second half, they put up three goals to win 3-1. You were unfortunate if you missed that one. 

I believe the quality of the teams this year is much better as well. All of the African teams, while none have won a game so far, have performed very well against some very good teams, and are making it hard for them to win. What makes them impressive is that this group does not include any of the traditional African powers like Cameroon or Nigeria. I'd like to see Holland play again. They only scored once against Serbia-Montenegro, but they could do very well if they find a good rhythym. Back to Trinidad and Tobago. I was surprised at how fit they were. Usually weaker teams get worn down by the end of the game, especially against good teams like Sweden, but they seemed to be going strong until the end. I thought Mexico played very well. Once they found their rhythym against Iran, they showed that they are a very good team (and they did it without a strong performance from their star, Jared Borgetti). Watch for them to get far in the tournament. With the way that teams like Argentina, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic have played thus far, though, I would not expect as many surprises as the last tournament. These teams are running on all cylinders and playing some incredible soccer. If they can stay injury free, be cautious in tabbing Brazil to repeat as champions. 

Some disappointments for me in this first round have been England and the United States. While Paraguay did not pose much of a threat to England, the English should have performed much better. They couldn't get anything going and their only goal came off of a Paraguayan player. Steven Gerrard is way too much of a talent to have playing as a holding/defensive midfielder, which is what they had him at until very late in the game. I think England could do a lot better if they had a lone striker with five midfielders, one with mainly a defensive role. This would free up Lampard and Gerrard more in the attack without losing any defensive presence.

Lampard and Gerrard are arguably to of the most talented midfielders in the tournament and freeing them up offensively would be deadly for opposing teams. If Sven has to have a 4-4-2, BENCH BECKHAM. Bring Hargreaves on, and move Gerrard out to the right. Outside of free kicks and crosses, Beckham isn't that great of a player. Gerrard is speedier, better defensively, is a great passer, and has an amazing shot. Also, both he and Lampard are great from free kicks. England wouldn't lose much by benching Beckham. If this English team can get their stuff together, I would expect to see them in the final game. If not, well, they could be sent packing early. 

I was really disappointed with the way the U.S. played against the Czechs. After Claudio Reyna's shot struck the post, they looked very unenthused and didn't get anything together. Eddie Johnson's substitute appearance gave the team a spark, but it was a bit too late. But I don't think the players are all to blame, though. I was really surprised to see the line up that Bruce Arena put out to play. He essentially had three of the same players in Beasley, Convey, and Lewis starting the game, with Beasley on the playing on the right, which is his weak side. This didn't make much sense to me when Arena could have placed Donovan or Dempsey, both very talented players on the right, with Beasley on the left. I was also surprised with his choice for twin strikers with McBride and Donovan. In my opinion, he had Donovan playing too high. Donovan is at his best making runs out of the midfield and playing off of a high target striker.

He only had one such memorable play. I think Arena would have done much better having Donovan and Beasley as attacking wingers, playing off of McBride, making runs out of the midfield, and keeping the attack wide. Beasley and Donovan are fast enough that if they get enough space, they can really open up a defense. If Arena has to have twin strikers, I think he would be better served putting Johnson or Wolff next to McBride, or playing with Donovan in between Reyna and McBride. Either way, they need to figure it out because Italy are one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, and the result could be a lot worse if the U.S. plays the same way against them. One of the reasons the U.S. did so well in the last tournament is because they had good players that other teams weren't familiar with. I'd like to see more playing time for players like Johnson, Dempsey, and Ching. 

The Bottom Line: The U.S. and England need to get their stuff together; Watch out for Australia and Mexico; Expect to see Italy, the Czechs, Germany, or Argentina in the final game(granted they don't face each other beforehand); don't expect to see Brazil in the final game (but don't hold me to that).