World Cup 2010: Breaking Down the Groups- Part 1

32 group stage games down, 16 to go. As we head into round three of matches, 30 of 32 teams still have a chance to reach the knockout stages. Those teams range from a 2-0 side in precarious position to an 0-2 side with a very realistic chance to advance. Let's breakdown the scenarios and my predictions, starting with Groups A-D.

Group A
Standings: Uruguay- 4 points, +3 goal differential; Mexico- 4 pts., +2; France- 1 pt., -2; South Africa- 1pt., -3
Match-ups: Uruguay vs. Mexico; South Africa vs. France
The situation: Uruguay are part of the South American juggernaut that has eight wins and two draws in ten matches. Diego Forlan is one of the emerging stars of the Cup with two goals in the win over South Africa. While a draw guarantees both sides advance, Mexico will want to avoid a second round meeting with Argentina, so look for El Tri to go on the attack. If there's any justice, the French collection of prima donnas will get blasted by South Africa. The hosts will likely miss the knockout stages, but a well-deserved win would allow them to finish on a high,
Prediction: Mexico wins to top the group as Uruguay holds on to second.

Group B
Standings: Argentina- 6 pts.; +4; South Korea- 3 pts.; -1; Greece- 3 pts., -1; Nigeria- 0 pts., -2
Match-ups: Argentina vs. Greece; South Korea vs. Nigeria
The situation: 0-2 may seem like a bleak position, but Nigeria are surprisingly in good shape to advance. A win over South Korea coupled with a Greece loss to Argentina will see three teams tie for second at 1-2. Regardless of the scores on Tuesday, Nigeria are ensured of winning the goal differential tie-breaker. Argentina need only a draw to lock-up the top spot, and it's hard to see them failing to capture a point.
Prediction: Argentina take first and Nigeria sneak in behind them.

Group C
Standings: Slovenia- 4 pts., +1; USA- 2 pts., E; England- 2 pts. E, Algeria- 1 pt., -1
Match-ups: Slovenia vs. England; USA vs. Algeria
The situation: It's win and advance for Slovenia, the U.S. and England, while Algeria needs a win and some help from England to move on. Oddly the fourth-place side is the only one entering their match on a positive note. Slovenia coughed up a two-goal lead to the U.S., a match the Americans left thinking they should have won. Meanwhile England are just grateful that the French are in town, otherwise they'd be the poster children for team disharmony and underachievement.
Prediction: A pair of 2-0 wins sees the U.S. and England advance, with the States topping the group on the second tiebreaker, goals scored.

Group D
Standings: Ghana 4 pts., +1; Germany 3 pts., +3; Serbia 3 pts., E; Australia 1 pt. -4
Match-ups: Ghana vs. Germany; Serbia vs. Australia
The situation: A quick look at the standings, and you'd say Group D leaders Ghana are Africa's best hope of reaching the knockout stages. They might, however, face a tougher task than winless Nigeria. The Black Stars will need at least a point against Germany to ensure passage. If they lose, Serbia will pass them with a win over Australia. While a win advances any of the top three teams, only Ghana are assured of moving on with a draw. Australia needs to show that it can play without getting a star player red carded, following the dismissals of Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell in their first two matches.
Prediction: Germany plays like, well, Germany and gets the win to put them on top of the group. Serbia join them in the second round.

World Cup 2010: High Stakes for Team America

Coaches like to say the biggest game on a team's schedule is the next one. That mantra is especially true in the case of Team USA. On the heels of a hard-earned draw in the most anticipated match in American soccer history, the U.S. has put themselves in good shape to make the tournament a memorable one. But as a result of Slovenia's 1-0 win against Algeria, Bob Bradley's men have no room for error against the group leaders. A win and the knockout stages are in sight; another draw isn't ideal, but isn't devastating either. But should the U.S. fall to a team they're widely expected to handle, the Stars and Stripes will likely be heading home early.

The collection of U.S. forwards features names that no one expected to see in South Africa six months ago. If you asked anyone around Christmas, Robbie Findley, Herculez Gomez, and Edson Buddle were as likely to make the roster as Tab Ramos and John Harkes. But not only are they on the squad, they could be the surprise heroes the States need against Slovenia. Top teams get contributions from unexpected sources; anything these men can add to the contributions of Donovan, Dempsey and Altidore would go along way in getting the squad three critical points.

Defensively, America's confidence is high after a stellar performance from Tim Howard against England. While his bruised ribs are cause for concern, his game-saving stops left the Three Lions jealous. Slovenia's offense was far from threatening against Algeria and only a late red card and some horrendous goalkeeping allowed them to score. This has every opportunity to be the States' first World Cup clean sheet since their 2-0 Round of 16 win over Mexico in 2002.

If the U.S. is to claim victory tomorrow, they'll need to avoid one of their disturbing World Cup trends- conceding early goals. In their last four World Cup matches dating back to 2006, the U.S. has surrendered a goal within the first 22 minutes; twice those scores have come in the opening five. If they put the clamps down on Slovenia early and often, three points will be theirs.

World Cup 2010: Group C Preview

The four squads in Group C are split between those expected to advance- England and the United States, and those looking to spring an upset- Algeria and Slovenia. With the favorites kicking off in one of the tournament's most anticipated matches, the group's pecking order should be established early. Here's a closer look.

Expectations are sky high for England and that's not necessarily a good thing. An impressive qualifying run under Fabio Capello washed away the stench of failing to advance to Euro 2008, and now the Three Lions are a trendy dark horse pick. Unfortunately the weight of a nation's desperate expectations often hamper England, especially when it comes to the dreaded shootout. Up front, the English feature veteran firepower with Premier League rivals Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. The defense has been gutted by injuries, the most recent to captain Rio Ferdinand, and goaltending is never an English strength. Don't be surprised to see England in some high scoring contests, but if the goals are coming from Rooney and Co., Capello's men will advance easily.

The trend following the United States since their return to the World Cup in 1990 points towards a positive tournament in 2010. The Yanks have alternated between disastrous showings in Europe and knockout round appearances elsewhere. With the experience gained reaching last year's Confederations Cup Final, the team should feel comfortable in South Africa. Bob Bradley's side have a disturbing habit of coughing up leads. Last summer they lead in games against Italy, Spain, Brazil and Mexico, but lost three of the four. Team spark plug Landon Donovan knows that this tournament could define his career after a strong showing with Everton and if he can connect with a healthy Jozy Altidore up front, we'll see the Stars and Stripes into the round of 16 once again.

Slovenia are hoping to continue the run of play that saw them top Russia in the European qualifying playoffs. Serie A-based goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has a habit of frustrating opponents, something he'll need to do for a team that has struggled when falling behind. If the talented Rene Krhin and Nejc Pecnik come of age in South Africa, Slovenia are best suited to upset the England-U.S. party.

There's no shortage of major European club experience on the Algeria roster, but scoring goals will be a challenge for the Desert Foxes, one of the final qualifiers from Africa. Inconsistent results heading into the World Cup leave Rabah Saadane's men hoping for a repeat of their stunning 1982 upset of West Germany.

Prediction: There's no reason to think that England and the U.S. won't both advance, and the winner of their opening match will be positioned for a deep run. Recent head-to-head results favor the English, who should sweep the group, further raising those always burdensome expectations.