Group C:
Colombia are the seeded team for Group C, although this group could well be the toughest to predict as a clash of intercontinental styles will face off in what could prove to be an enthralling group to watch. The Colombians will be missing Monaco sensation Radamel Falcao following a serious knee injury and will be heavily reliant on their sturdy defense. River Plate forward Teófilo Gutiérrez will likely be the main source of goals for the Tricolor.
The white and blue of Greece will surely be hoping that their chances of advancing from Group C are much greater than many have predicted, but with such tough opponents, their points tally could possibly face bankruptcy without three solid performances. Star man Georgios Samaras will need to be in top form to ensure that his nation have a chance of advancing.
Les Éléphants enter the tournament with an unbelievably experienced squad, with a total of 878 caps between their 23 man roster. The Ivorians were runners up in the 2012 African Cup of Nations and have a strong tournament reputation. Striker Didier Drogba will lead the front line ahead of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure who won a second English Premier League title last month. Ivory Coast have never faced any of their fellow group members in a World Cup before so will be looking to start on the front foot in their first game against Japan on June 14th.
The 4 time AFC Asian Cup Champions Japan will be looking to impose their fast paced, high energy play from the first whistle in Group C. The Samurai Blue are an organized, disciplined team with star quality in the form of Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa. Losing on penalties to Paraguay in the 2010 World Cup Round of 16, the Japanese will have a chip on their shoulder as they look to reach the Quarter Finals for the first time in their soccer playing history.
Group D:
Uruguay, the nation who hosted the first ever FIFA World Cup, are joined by two other previous winners, England and Italy. The South American outfit will be looking to win its third title, with their previous two victories coming in 1930 and 1950. With an awe-inspiring front line including Liverpool’s Luis Suárez, Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, and 109 cap veteran Diego Forlán, goals will surely not be an issue. However, Uruguay showed weaknesses in the qualifying rounds, as they were forced to play Jordan in a playoff after finishing 5th in their qualifying group.
Costa Rica are surely anticipated to be the poorest team in Group C but are no pushovers after they finished second behind the United States team in the CONACAF qualifying group. Head Coach Jorge Luis Pinto selected New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller who already has 48 caps and a goal for La Sele. Anticipate a tough, well organized team who will look to counter attack their opponents at every opportunity they get.
It has been 48 years since The Three Lion have been able to take the World Cup back with them. Often under performing in major tournaments, England will be looking to break that stereotype. After losing in a penalty shootout to Italy in the 2012 European Championship Quarter Finals, Roy Hodgson’s men will be looking for revenge in the opening match between the two on June 14th.
Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard will be at the core of the team, and with an abundance of exciting young wingers such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling, the Englishmen will be hoping to edge their way through to the knockout stages. England surely won’t want to resort to penalty shootouts if they do advance, as they have lost 7 of the 8 shootouts they have had in major competitions.
To some, the Italian style of play is negative, boring and uninteresting, but to others, a combination of disciplined play, tactical noose, and wonderful game management make the 4-time winners a robust team to play. Italy’s most recent World Cup win in Germany (2006) contained four current members of this year’s 23-man roster. Legend Andrea Pirlo’s magnificent play (and equally magnificent beard) will be integral in the Azzurri’s success alongside the enigma that is Mario Balotelli.
True to Italian style, expect a game plan centered on an early goal with sturdy, solid defending for the remainder of the game. This solid approach leads man to predict them to top the group, with a tight race between England and Uruguay for second place.
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team. The club will begin play in MLS in 2015, becoming the league’s 21st club. The Lions’ first team has won two USL PRO regular season titles and two postseason championships and will continue play in USL PRO in 2014 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Outside of the first squad, OCSC also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visitwww.OrlandoCitySC.com and www.OrlandoCityYouth.org.
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