World Cup Today -- Day 13

So, we have our first knockout rounds set; Brazil will play Chile in what promises to be an offensive showing while Mexico, so strong in making it out of Group A, lands The Netherlands. Ouch. More on this game on the weekend.

We'll have two more groups find out just who their top two sides will be playing by 6pm this evening. England who has already been eliminated will play group winner Costa Rica at noon. Costa Rica can actually rest players against England. Who had that happening? Italy and Uruguay play a match to the death game today with the Azzurre the winner of all ties. Uruguay has to win to go through and yes, they well could. Still it's hard to pick against Italy who only need a tie today. In another group finale Greece who has no hopes plays the Ivory Coast who can advance should things break their way. Japan and Columbia will be playing later with Columbia already having won the group (and looked really good in doing so). Japan needs points, period.

Costa Rica vs England noon
Uruguay vs Italy noon

Ivory Coast vs Greece 4pm
Japan vs Columbia 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 8

What an amazing tournament this has been. More goals at this point than any World Cup since 1958 and isn't that what Americans supposedly hate about soccer, no scoring? Hats off to all the managers who have decided to unleash their teams rather than playing it safe. Also, before one laughs off Spain's crash and burn let's take a moment to realize how they changed this game. They may be the reason we're seeing so much scoring with their tiki-taka, ball possession, move it forward game. Since 2008 Spain has been the best in the world and proved it at the Euro 2008 and 2012 sandwiching a World Cup win in 2010. A tip of the cap to Spain might be a better send-off than a snicker or a derisive snort. But back to today. Columbia plays the Ivory Coast in a very important game and none bigger than The Three Lions of England who play a survival match against La Celeste of Uruguay, both losers in their opening matches. Ypsilanti Michigan, named after Greek General Demetrius Ypsilanti, will no doubt be cheering hard for Greece at 6pm. Today's matches:

Columbia vs Ivory Coast noon
England vs Uruguay 3pm
Japan vs Greece 6pm

Over the next few weeks we're going to try something new

Johnny is a huge fan of the World Cup and soccer in general. He knows there are a lot of you soccer fans out there as well who are very very excited for tomorrow's Brazil vs Croatia kickoff to World Cup 2014. Because Johnny's excited here's where the changes come in.

Each day we're going to have an open thread dedicated to the World Cup and the games being played. If you're a fan of Italy or England or the Ivory Coast or whomever, please drop by and share your thoughts. Johnny is going to try and make the Jersey City Desk World Cup Central for us locals. Feel free to discuss the matches, the players, the officiating, ANY of that which encompasses the World Cup (including possible riots from the Brazilian people) we want to hear from you. Do it signed in, do it anonymously, we're just interested in good soccer discussion.

Tomorrow Johnny will give you his tops in the group stage predictions in our first installment of World Cup Today...