Only seven games remain in the World Cup. Yet many of the heroes we were expecting to see on the big stage haven't showed up: Rooney, Henry, Ronaldinho, Messi, Ballack, Van Nistelrooy, Toni, Tevez, and Donovan. The players getting the headlines instead seemed to be Klose, Podolski, Zidane, Rodriguez, Rosicky, Torres, Muntari, Frei and Amoah.

Seven of the eight second round matches have been played, with just this afternoon's France versus Spain match left. But out of the seven thus far, how many of them have been entertaining and had you sitting on the edge of your seat? For me, it's been just one and that was the Argentina against […]

A full report and anaylsis coming on Friday.

Having been seeded into the easiest group of the 2006 World Cup, England has continued to ride lady luck during this tournament. Consider the following: Against Paraguay, it was an own goal. Versus Trinidad and Tobago, it was a goal line clearance by Terry and a header by Crouch that should have been ruled out […]

After the final second-round matches conclude Tuesday, only eight World Cup matches remain (and that includes the meaningless third-place match). Could we be destined for the following semi-final matches? Italy against Germany, and England versus Brazil? Or do you fancy Argentina versus Ukraine, and Brazil against Spain? If England do manage to beat Portugal on […]

I'm curious. If you're an American fan and you're following the World Cup, what team are you supporting now that the US is out of the tournament? Are you watching the matches just for the enjoyment of it, or do you find yourself rooting for a team such as England? If so, why? Is it […]

The ever interesting and brutally honest Nick Geber from Fox Football Friday and World Soccer Daily is the latest addition to the EPL Talk Podcast. Geber discusses the state of World Cup commentators, whether he has any regrets regarding The 2 G's and The Treble leaving the World Soccer Daily Radio Network, what type of […]

It wasn't pretty. They didn't play the best, but the win was what was important. How many times have we heard that this World Cup about England? But it's true. The gutsy performance was what was needed to ease the England team through to the Quarter Finals of the biggest tournament in the world. I […]

What an unbelievably sensational goal by Argentina in extra time by Maxi Rodriguez. A beautiful chest trap, and a scintillating left foot volley into the corner of the net. There are still 16 minutes to go in the match. Can Mexico pull one back to go into penalties?

While watching the Argentina against Mexico match, here are just a few of the differences I noticed between Univision's coverage of the match versus ABC/ESPN: 1. The crowd volume on Univision is much louder. 2. You can hear the passion, excitement and joy so much more with the Univision commentators as opposed to John Harkes […]

Without a doubt, this has got to be the best match of the World Cup thus far. In the first 10 minutes, there've been two goals (Argentina 1-1 Mexico). The pace is frenetic. The crowd is loud and passionate. This is what the knock-out games are all about. Fighting for your country, pride and victory.

I'm not sure which is worse. With ESPN partnering with ABC for the World Cup coverage in America, does this drag the ABC name through the mud? Or is the other way around?

I have to admit that ABC commentator Dave O'Brien's work is improving as each match unfolds, but the man is as passionate as a dead fish. Perfect example was one of the key moments of today's Germany against Sweden second-round match. With Germany leading two-nil in the early stages of the second half, Sweden went […]

I have severe concerns about Sven's selection for tomorrow's match against Ecuador. He's essentially fielding a 4-5-1, although actually it's a 4-1-4-1 with Rooney up front, and a midfield comprising Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Cole. The back four will be Cole, Ferdinand, Terry and — unbelievably Owen Hargreaves. Michael Carrick, meanwhile, will play in front […]

GRADING BY MICHAEL HALEY WITH ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY KARTIK KRISHNAIYER 1 Howard – DNP Kartik’s Thoughts: Could he have made the critical save that sparked this team? Keller surely didn't. 2 Albright – DNP Kartik's Thoughts: This team sorely missed Frankie Hedjuk's hustle and his German experience from his Bundesligia days. His torn ACL was […]