BigIzz

I think your right but they should have started on Wednesday June 9, ended the group stages last Wednesday and given everyone Thursday and Friday off. Now this is pretty far down on my list of complaints to address with FIFA, so when Sepp finally takes my meeting it might not make our discussion. All I know is I'm having a hard time keeping up with everything, I can only imagine how the players feel.

The pacing of this tournament is awful. There needed to be a couple of off days after the group stages ended. All these games are being played on two days rest now and the teams all need to travel. The quality of the games would be much better. Also from a fan perspective it would have been nice to have a little time to reflect on what has happened and actually think about how the bracket will end up.

Seriously. I forogt about Portugal though. Although I don't like Deco, I respect the contributions Riccy and Paolo have made. I can't root for Portugal though. I wish Serbia made it through.

Gutted. Oh well. Nothing sucks worse then losing in the world cup and, unless you're Brazil, Italy, Argentina or Germany, it's pretty much sure to happen every time. I guess now I need to support England. Terry, Cole, Super Frank...there is an amazing lack of Chelsea in the knockout rounds isn't there?

I think he has corrected this to be fair. I don't think he used to be in as good of physical condition as he is now so when he used to get tired he would tackle sloppy and draw cards. This doesn't seem to be a problem for him at the moment. I'm far from the biggest Michael Bradley fan but he has been epic in this World Cup so far. I'm hard pressed to think of any midfielders that are playing better. As much as I would love to see him move to a big club, his situation isn't bad now because he has a unquestionable starting spot in a top league. American players always get derailed when they step up to a bigger club but can't find the pitch ever. If he moves somewhere, it needs to be somewhere he will get regular playing time.

On behalf of the United States of America, please allow us to offer our sincerest apology. :P

So much for the best British group since the Beatles, huh? I'm glad I can support England now too, well until the final.

That loud sucking sound you hear is Mexico getting pulled into the French vortex. Can South Africa pull this off? Fasten your seatbelats.

It's a pretty impressive feat that they are the most hated country at a tournament that features North Korea.

Just let Ireland play the second half in France's place.

Gorcuff sent off for France. It's actually gotten worse for them. Any chance South Africa puts in four or five against them an qualifies actually?

1-0 South Africa. France putting a nice cap on what may the most pathetic performance by a country ever at a World Cup.

It's awesome, thanks for the upgrade.

Welcome! I'm from the USA but in New Jersey.

81 minutes in and still no Slovakian shots on goal. Kinda hard to win if you don't get any shots on goal.

I don't understand it either, I admit I'm not an expert on the Slovakian team though. Paraguay are playing very well. The attendance at this match is pathetic. The highlight for me is singing In Your Liverpool Slums alone in my apartment whenever they mention Skrtel.

Im sure once the MLS season resumes next week that Beckham will leave South Africa to sit on the bench and do nothing in order to support his actual employer and teammates who are, inconveniently still, the LA Galaxy.

Beckham had an excellent match. The girls at the bar where I watched it squealed every time he was shown on TV. I'd rate his performance an 8.5.

Is their actually anyway that Rooney doesn't start? As much as I'm enjoying watching him fail (ah the joys of not being an English fan and forced to root for him for a month - I pity you guys), he is still the only player on England that has that special quality. I'd definitely play him up top and alone though, smilier to the way United use him. As for Lampard, he should be benched. If we learned anything about Lampard this season, he really only excels in one role. He is not a very versatile player and he has to be used a certain way. If that role doesn't fit your system, then you won't get the best out of him. So either England needs to design their system around Lampards role and bench Gerrard because he doesn't fit in that team. Or just bench Lampard and play Gerrard, whose form is much better and is a more versatile and well rounded player. I think in the end, England and the US will advance like most of us thought. I'd expect both sides quality to show through and to win their next matches. So much for this being an "EASY" group though.

I was surprised to learn he was actually there in the first place. Now that I think about it, I thought I saw him on the pitch for a second or two during one of those matches.

France can't just blame their manager. Don't their players have any pride or motivation? It's sadly, looking at their squad they should be easy semifinalists. They have two starters on Chelsea the best team in England (Anelka, Malouda), one starter on the second best team in England (Evra), three from the third best team in England (Sagna, Diaby, Gallas), one of the brightest attacking stars on the planet who plays for the best team in Germany (Ribery), Eric Abiidal who plays on the best team in Spain and maybe the best young keeper in Lloris. Add in a whole bunch of other quality players, not to mention players like Benzema or Nasri they didn't even bring. This collection of talent cant play together or showinterest in a World Cup? Please, I should be able to manage that team out of the group stage and I can't even speak French. I just looked into it: Would you believe 19 of the 23 French players play on a team that made the last 16 of this years Champions League?

You'd think so but I'm not so sure. Mexico will be motivated to win that match and avoid Argentina. Much better to play South Korea/Greece

I thought he played very well. He looked more dangerous then Tevez did when he had the ball, although I don't think he played better than Tevez. He was involved in both of the second half goals.

I don't think that South Korea did. I just think he is good enough to get free and create chances. You can only give him so much attention, considering they also have Tevez (then Aguero), Higuain and Di Maria up front.

15 points from the first 5 matches seems very possible, hopefully we can be a little more consistent this season and take more advantage of the lesser teams.