| Group D Portugal Poland South Korea United States The U.S. finished 32nd in France and is poised to finish 32nd in Korea/Japan. The loss of Chris Armas is a huge blow. As Sunday's friendly with the Netherlands demonstrated, the U.S. is incapable of playing 90 minutes without making two or three major defensive mistakes. That will prove critical. Look for the U.S. to get whipped by Portugal, which has speed and skill in its strikers the U.S. can't match, 3-0. Poland will also be too much for the red- white-and-blue and take the Americans 1-0 or 2-0. Just like in France, the only team the U.S. is favored to beat will be highly motivated against it. South Korea will be looking to this game for a victory to please its fans. South Korea has shown it can be creative and effective, as its 2-2 draw in a recent friendly with England shows. Look for South Korea to either draw 2-2 with the U.S. or beat the Americans 3-2 in an entertaining match up that will pit a host team time trying to satisfy the home crowd against an underachieving national side trying desperately to save face. Look for Portugal and Poland to come out of this group, despite South Korea's best efforts. |
| A Sudwerk's Guide to the World Cup |