Not quite World Cup play

Getting to watch to two of MLS's worst teams play so I can be blown away when the World Cup starts. Handing out copies of the pool to the press and friends here at the Chivas USA match. If work cooperates, I hope to have the online entry done Monday. But if you want to enter now, you can take a picture of the entry and email it to me at worldcup(at)HWCI.com.

2014 Badge of Honor

As the online entry hopefully will be up by Monday, the HWCI 2014 World Cup Pool logo has been unveiled.  One of these days, this will be on some tangible winner's prize, but for now, it's just money.  Can you spot the combined H-W?

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In the meantime, the USA struggled in its first tuneup match at home to some 85th ranked nation no one can spell while Landon scored twice and added an assist in his first game back with the LA Galaxy on Sunday.  In fact, less than 2 minutes into the match, Landon put the Galaxy on the board with a great free kick assist.  Ah, should be an interesting 2014 for Team USA.

Sam's PANDO! or GORDO # 1: The USA Preview

Back for the 3rd straight World Cup Pool, Sammy's PANDO! or GORDO newsletter returns!

 TICKER: JUAN AGUDELO being lined up by HANOVER as their main summer target .. ..

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat > the USA will make any group look like the GROUP OF DEATH .. .. If they struggled that hard to get out of their subpar group in ’10, everyone will prove to be formidable rivals .. ..

That said, HERR JURGEN is the absolute right man for the US job .. .. Taking firm control of the USSF program across all levels is the only way to raise the US level of play .. .. For the USA to reach a WC Semi-Final one day, an efficient ruthlessness is needed to run the ‘factory’ .. .. Call it a European-slant, or whatever you like, the USSF is on the right trajectory .. .. They won @ MEX – They won @ ITA .. .. The results may not appear by July 2014 (hopefully it will), but the measuring stick will come with the ’16 Olympics & ’18 WC .. ..

Remember how the public demanded that CHARLIES DAVIES be invited to the 2010 WC Camp? Even the wonderful US fans can use a little tough-love .. ..

And, finally, on to the soccer medias sacred cow of Landon Donovan –

Foster's Football Brew # 1: Dark Horse Preview

Here is a treat. Eric's Foster's Football Brew is back for the 2nd straight soccer pool (debuting Euro 2012).  Here's the first issue before he actually heads to Brazil!

May 25, 2014

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Yours truly will be in Brazil in late June to watch Argentina spank Iran, and enjoy all the games at bars and parties in 4 cities.  I'll report my experiences from time to time.  For now, enjoy my second "season" of writing Foster's Football Brew:

We've heard enough about the Landon Donovan snub (and let's face it, Team USA will struggle with or without the legendary American forward), so I'm going to tell you about which teams I think you should keep your eyes on, from traditional contenders to dark horses that will surprise you.

It should come as no surprise that Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Spain are the perennial favorites to win the Tournament.  As much as I'd like to see Argentina win it all, they may have some flaws in the departments of defense and chemistry.  Nevertheless, chances are better than 50-50 that one of these four sides will raise the trophy on July 13 at the Maracanã stadium in Rio.  But each team has some weaknesses, and there are other teams out there that are legitimate threats to win it all.  

PRETENDERS

Some teams are being touted to go deep or exceed expectations.  I'm going to deflate a few of those sides:

-France:  The Frogs are loaded with talent,