Mexico- Most soccer fans in the U.S. are familiar with Mexico. They are our neighbors and our chief rivals. In fact, there are players on the U.S. team who play in the Mexican league and vice versa. Mexico has had a tumultuous last few years, with coaching changes and player issues that have frustrated the soccer mad fans of the team. In the World cup a couple years ago, they hit a good stride and were a difficult out for the Dutch squad in the second round. This years team is built with a number of younger players. They have ability around the pitch and show a creative flair, however when it comes to scoring, they will be relying on Chicherito who although only 29, seems as if he has been on the squad for ever. He can at times appear unstoppable, but at other times he disappears, and the same can be said for the whole team. One issue that they will not have is fan support. With the huge number of Mexican Americans in the U.S., every game will be a home game for the Tri-colors. We will see how far that support carries them.
Uruguay- The favorite from the group is Uruguay. They have a long tradition in world soccer and a number of very successful international players that belies the countries small size. Most fans are familiar with Suarez who plays in Europe for the powerhouse Barcelona. He is not the only top flight player on the team and only some sort of really poor play should stand in the way of the team advancing. That being said, they have not had great form lately in WC qualifying, and it is always possible that they could tune out and fall victim to any team. In fact that is why we play the games. Any team in the 16 team tournament could defeat any other. Still, look for Uruguay to play solid boring defense punctuated with a few moments of great creativity that will propel them to the next round.
Jamaica- Our CONCACAF partners Jamaica are the 3rd team in the group. The team is punctuated with MLS players and many of the names will be familiar, Barnes, Morgan. In fact, Jamaica defeated the U.S. last year at the Gold Cup, during the lost summer of U.S. soccer. Suffice to say, that was a high point for them and they have not played quite as well lately, but they do posses an athleticism and an opportunistic edge that give them a punchers chance. To be truthful, this is a tough group for Jamaica. The two favorites, Mexico and Uruguay play a rough and solid defensive style that will prove very difficult for the Jamaicans to break down. Other team in the tournament would be a better match-up, but it is what it is.
Venezuela- The 4th team in Group C is Venezuela. Like all the South American sides, they have experience and talent, but that talent has never resulted in the kind of world success that one might expect. In fact, they appear to be on a downward spiral in the same way that the countries economy is headed. . The team is led by Salomon Rondon, who plays for the English side West Brom, and center back Vizcarrando, who plays for the French side Nantes. Perhaps, the extreme distress that the country is suffering is probably impossible for the team to ignore. Maybe they can take the tournament as a break and an attempt to forget, if only for a couple weeks, the issues that face them back home.
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