Who will you be rooting for other than the USA? For me, Cameroon. I've been a fan for two cycles now. Adding Eloundou to the Rapids even made me more so. Plus I just ordered this today:
Is there any jerseys worse then both of ours? Centennial Jersey was so nice to get saddled with these 2 by Nike.
I think Mexico's are almost as bad. Not fond of Greece's or Portugal's either. Japan's away is hideous but their home is good. Belgium might be the closest to us on the bad scale.
I always get captivated by some random teams unlikely or at least unheralded run: Turkey in 2002, Zidane literally carrying France in 2006, D. Forlan inspiring Uruguay in 2010 and root for them. I also have a go-to bunch under my #1 spot that change as players, coaches and styles revolve. 1-USA. Get r' done, n'uff said! 2-Netherlands, my #2 team (& would have won in 2010 if Arjen Robbin was'nt the biggest ball hog of the entire tournement.) Subject to change but currently on my wish list: 3-Germany, when on their game maybe some of most exciting national soccer around, so much nicer to watch than spanish tikka-takka-siesta. 4-Chile, an attackdog and an underdog. 5-Ivory Coast, a golden generation's last rodeo but how long can they ride this bull?
Official Teams I Care About - Power Rankings: 1. USA [POWERGAP] 2. Germany 3. Belgium ... ... ... 90. England 91. Brazil 92. Spain 900. Mexico 9001. Any team from Asia 900000000000001. Any team from Africa
If Germany weren't in our group I'd be ranking them pretty high. Maybe once the knockout rounds start I'll get behind them again. I wish Sweden had made it, always like rooting for them.
I gotta admit I would love to see the home team win it. It would just be such fun to see the celebrations!
Ecuador is my other team. I've lived in Ecuador for close to three years in sum, and I was living there in 2006 when they made the round of 16. It was thrilling. Plus they'll be playing for the memory of Christian Benítez (pictured), who died of a heart attack suddenly last year. They'll be playing against Switzerland, France, and Honduras. I think they have a shot at second place in the group, for sure. And if France has a meltdown, I think Ecuador could win the group. EDIT: By the way, this is a great idea for a thread! I haven't been to the USMNT forums here in years. They are kind of a sh*t show.
I always have a soft spot for South American (non top teams, ie Brazil or Argentina) or African teams plus recently Australia- good people and somehow I have a jersey from drinking with fans last WC (Edit: 2006 man how time flies). But really just love watching all the soccer, unless they bunker.
I too liked France 1998 due to their Arsenal players. England I like because that is where I lived when I started following soccer in the lead up to Euro 1996. Despite being part Italian, I find it nearly impossible to pull for them, though I do like pulling for SuperMario. But USMNT all the way. I was a bit concerned that Bradley looked pretty poor the other night, but we'll see how looks the next couple of games.
So, there's going to be a Fan Fest downtown for the first 4 days. http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/...ration-presented-western-union-starts-june-13 Here's the British Bulldog's announcement: The Bulldog will be the host of Budweiser's World Cup Street Party, with the festivities kicking off June 12th, and wrapping up with a massive party to celebrate the Final on July 13th! Every USA game day will have a special event, with a jumbotron showing the matches. This includes the largest screen in the State for USA v Germany on June 26th, and for the World Cup Final on July 13th! If you can't be in Brazil, do the next best thing, and join the month long festival at the Bulldog in celebration of the World's game!
Love the effort. I really wish there was a way to tie in the stadium with some of these festivities. I suppose it is too far out of the main population hub, but it would have been a great way to market the Rapids a bit. In the absence of having the stadium experience, handing out t-shirts, free tickets, etc. might be a great way to goose some interest.... Looking forward to watching the USA games and *really* hoping to make it through the group stage. Rod.
Belgium - got to root for them (after the US of course) as they are a farm team for Chelsea Actually, they have a lot of good young, talent and could do fairly well in Brazil. I generally go for all the African teams as well. It seems that Nigeria, Ghana and/or Cameroon do well.
I'll be in Italy for most of June, so I will no doubt be seeing a lot of that team along with their compatriots. Hoping they go far. Right now I am just bracing for the Group G games and hoping the US has a good showing at least, and maybe a miracle showing.