World Cup Group C Breakdown
by
Dan Krier
June 3, 2010

Group C:
England – World Rank #8 – Odds to Win: 6-1
USA – World Rank #14 – Odds to Win: 80-1
Algeria – World Rank #31 – Odds to Win: 350-1
Slovenia – World Rank #23 – Odds to Win: 250-1

2 teams from this group move on to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

DK’s Picks: England & USA

Needless to say, this group draw could be considered best-case scenario for the Americans. They have but one hugely difficult game against a very powerful English side before facing two respectable clubs in Algeria and Slovenia, teams that “should” be defeated (and I say this with a measure of national hope and pride in my breath, most likely foolishly overconfident).

Bear in mind that in 2006, the USA was forced to play two world top-10 teams in Czech Republic and eventual champ Italy (as well as a very sharp Ghana club that placed 2nd in the group and passed through to the knockout stage). Compared to that, this year’s grouping is a cakewalk sundae with sprinkles and a free toy. As a soccer fan, I will be grossly disappointed if the USA does not finish first or second. Disaster is a possibility, though, being that the American’s top defenseman, 6’4’’ Oguchi Onyewu, suffered a Patellar tendon rupture in October of 2009. Onyewu is expected to be up and running by the time Uncle Sam’s Army takes the field on June 12th, but I highly doubt him to be anywhere near 100%.

Everything else aside, the overall point about Group C is this: England will cruise through to the knockout stage. Even with a hypothetical defeat to the Americans, the Brits will score 8 to 10 goals in their other two games, if not more (and that’s without Mr. Bend-it-like-Beckham, who is currently injured with an Achilles tendon tear…gasp!). See you in the second round, old chaps!

note: Algeria is playing in their first World Cup since 1986. They have never moved past the preliminary round. The team’s leading scorer is 35 year-old Rafik Saifi, who has 18 goals in 59 career national games. Slovenia is making their second-ever World Cup appearance, previously failing to get out of Round 1 back in 2002. Their top striker is Milivoje Novakovic, age 31, who has a team-best 14 goals in 37 games for his country over the last 5 years.

Best Game of Group C: England vs. USA – June 12th

Wayne Rooney