World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 1

Ok soccer fans, here we go. No more "We'll just beat Tunisia next match and get back on track." One loss, you go home in shame. Would you look at that. The two biggest stars on the planet both play today.

Argentina vs France
When this kicked off, Johnny picked France to win. He hasn't seen much short of Belgium to shy him off of this choice. Yes, Argentina has the best player in the world who makes those around him better (unless the team is Argentina and they are dunderheads) and is capable of moments of magic that should scare France. Horse around and Messi starts getting cards on Umtiti and crew and France are hampered in the back. Johnny thinks France with Pogba, the vastly underrated Griezmann, Dembele, and a few others should overrun the shaky Argentina defense which has shown itself to be shaky. Unless Messi plays one of the five best games of his life this is France's match to lose.

France 3
Messi 1

Uruguay vs Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is dangerous in big games. He's deadly in big games. He gets calls for penalties in big games. In Johnny's thinking though, so does Luis Suarez. He's Europe's leading scorer the last three years not named Messi or Ronaldo. Suarez scored the winning goal in Barcelona's last Champion's League title match. He's every bit the diver Ronaldo is AND he has Edinson Cavani who is also a top flight striker. Uruguay has looked balanced in the group stage and looked like a team that can make at least the semi-finals. Will they rise to the occasion or allow Ronaldo another moment of glory?

Uruguay 2
Ronaldo 1

Let's enjoy some Lionel Messi magic shall we? It's just fun to do...

How was your Sunday Johnny?

Pretty good, pretty good. Ray Hudson, let fly with the analogies...

An FC Barcelona love letter

Johnny's feeling the Barcelona tonight. With Mrs. Johnny's blessing (She said wear it) Johnny wore his retro Barca jersey out to dinner tonight and gave the fist bump of victory to a few fellow Blaugrana fans in NYC. In 11 years this club has won the league title 7 times and the Champions League 4 times. A treble is a league title, a Copa Del Ray (all nations have these national cups, in England it's the FA Cup) and a Champions League title. They became the only team to ever win two of those. Today was their 60th game and Neymar finished off their 50th win with this clincher sending Las Rablas into a din.

The experts said the 2011 Barcelona team (With NYCFC's David Villa riding shotgun to Lionel Messi) was the best club team ever. Until tonight. In the Champions League this year FC Barcelona beat the champions of Holland, the champions of England, the Champions of France, the champions of Germany and today they beat the champions of Italy. They didn't draw any other league's second or third best. A dynasty of the highest order. A 25th trophy for the magnificent Xavi. 

Neymar is 23, Suarez is 28 and Messi is 27. If Suarez doesn't bite anybody anytime soon Johnny's gonna bust out the 'It's a Barcelona world we just live in it' speech.

All hail FC Barcelona!

Johnny's favorite Spanish dish, FC Barcelona clinched their 23rd La Liga title today beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 on a Lionel Messi goal. Before the season started Barca signed Thomas Vermaelen, a  central defender who was supposed to shore up Barcelona's poor central defense from the last couple years. Well right before the season started it was announced he had a severe groin injury requiring surgery which kept Vermaelen out the entire year. Real Madrid fans fell over themselves laughing at Barca's misfortune.

He who laughs last...

Cristiano Ronaldo
199 games
222 goals
64 assists
83746 step overs
1938 hair cuts
1 La Liga title

Thomas Vermaelen
0 games
1 La Liga title

World Cup Today -- Day 30

Ya know, it's a pretty nice day out there. It's better than tomorrow will be so if you are out and about and were to say, whoops, miss the third place match today between shell shocked Brazil and Schleprocks of the World Cup, Holland, no yellow card for you. Because Ron Vlaar who is a good enough defender and plays well for Aston Villa was picked to go first in the penalty kicks and got the Netherlands off on the wrong *ahem* foot so they won't get a chance to lose a fourth title game. Ron Vlaar would be about the fourth or fifth choice to take a penalty for Aston Villa, just sayin'.

Brazil. Yes, probably not how fans of la Seleção thought this would end. An ass kicking in front of the world in front of your own house for all time and the sheer horror of watching Argentinians pouring across the borders in #10 shirts setting up shop in Brazil's biggest cities. If Messi somehow pulls off a miracle tomorrow they had better close the bridges in Brazil.

Look, Johnny's at least gonna watch the pre-game if for no other reason to get the studio panel's opinion on how good Barcelona's front line will be when Messi, Neymar and Chompy Suarez line up together for the Blaugrana.

Johnny's pick? Hopefully a Joe Kenda Homicide Hunter marathon. If not we'll say 4-3 Netherlands because defense doesn't matter at all in this game. Germany and Uruguay played a wide open third place game four years ago. The NCAA used to have a third place game that preceded the National Championship basketball game at the Final Four back in the day.

They got rid of that.

Brazil vs Netherlands 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 28

Many "experts" predicted a riot or riots in Brazil when they either won the tournament or lost it. Those experts were wrong. You can call it what you like, a mauling, a crushing, a disemboweling but it's Johnny's thought the very nature of the defeat kept people from acting out. When you know you've lost at the 40' mark of the match theres not a lot of energy left to do stupid things. There was no end of the game bad call that set people off, there was never any boiling over moment. Brazil fans went home sad but did nothing to move the embarrassment from the pitch to the streets. Johnny's not sure how the post-mortem will go for Brazil after their third place game Saturday but it's gonna be a doozy.

Speaking of Saturday, Brazil is going to need someone to play as is Germany on Sunday. So who will their play dates be? Let's take a look.

The Netherlands managed to get by against Costa Rica, barely. They were stymied in their attack and Costa Rica had no troubles going forward and creating some offense. One could say the masterstroke of that game didn't happen in the run of play but only when the Dutch coach put in a new goalie for the penalty kicks. It worked and here are the Netherlands looking for so much redemption, having lost three title games in their history. Everyone is available for the Dutch, Van Persie, Robben, and Sneijder form an imposing front. But for the game against Costa Rica they have had no issues scoring. They will however go up against a better back 4 (or 3 depending on how Argentina aligns) than they have thus far. Poor Javier Mascherano, he plays out of position in the back four for Barcelona and does well but gets grief, and he does the same thing for Argentina. He will have to play a mammoth game today. The Dutch defenders were no doubt not all that sad to see Argentinian playmaker Angel DiMaria go out with a thigh injury in their last game. DiMaria had stepped forward to make Lionel Messi even more dangerous. While La Celestina gets Manchester City top scorer Sergio Aguero back today, ask any Argentina fan and they'd want DiMaria on the field today.

So what is the X-factor in all this Johnny? You know. You know him, you love him, and soccer fans cannot live without him. His name is Lionel Messi and there are moments he does things nobody else can, or even think of doing. As a Barcelona fan Johnny has watched Messi time and time again simply will his team to a victory with one or two moments of sheer magic. There was the time in a Champions League semi-final, Real Madrid players surrounded Messi near midfield and he simply did this:

As Dutch fans today know all too well, Messi can be Messi and any given time on any given field. When the tournament started Johnny said he wanted the USA to win if at all possible. It's not. He then said he wanted an Argentina vs. Brazil final if at all possible. It's not. He then wanted Lionel Messi to win a World Cup because there should never ever be any doubt to his greatness and there are those petty sportswriters who say if a guy didn't win at the highest level he's not that good. Let's just shut their big self-important mouths now. Johnny predicts 2-1 Argentina with Messi leading the way. 

Argentina vs Netherlands 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 24

After yesterday's 0-2 record in predictions Johnny's back for more! First off though, since this might be the only post of today, what a morning in Jersey City! There may have been some really nice mornings on July 5th in the history of this place but none better than this morning with the cool temps, the steady cooling breeze and a sun giving just enough warmth but not too much. Lovely.

Johnny loves Lionel Messi. He's a Barcelona fan and Messi is admiral of that ship. His game is just plain fun to watch. Barry Sanders with a soccer ball. Johnny would very much like to see Messi win a World Cup title in his era. That's why today's game against Belgium and their incredibly talented midfield led by one of the Weasley boys from the Harry Potter books is such a danger to Argentinian hopes. Johnny fears the defensive prowess of Belgium may deny a lot of link-ups between Argentina's midfield and their front line strikers. This game could be a slog for Messi & Company. Hazard and Mertens can plug things up in Argentina's odd formation and then Belgium has the advantage of bringing in two playmakers as needed in Miralles and or Lukaku, the very guys that did the USA in. If Argentina can make the link up to Messi he may well start yellowing the Belgian backline as they are all big centerbacks, and lack speed. As badly as Johnny wants Messi to win he sees a Belgian win today.

The later match has a David vs. Goliath look to it with the Netherlands, three times runners-up in the World Cup vs. Los Ticos (The Minnows) of Costa Rica and last member of CONCACAF still playing. The Netherlands likes playing offense and Costa Rica sure likes playing offense so this could well be an attractive game. No doubt Arjen Robben will dive and get another penalty call for his team because nobody seems to have the nards to card him. In the end class normally wills out in these last few games and every indicator is that the Dutch are onto the semi-final but that's why they play the game on the field (but pick Holland).

Argentina vs Belgium noon
Costa Rica vs Netherlands 4pm

World Cup Today -- Day 10

Now we're really getting into the meat of this tournament. Some teams are booking passage into the knockout rounds while some teams are gonna play a pretty meaningless game next week. We are just giddy watching the #CONCACAFFED hashtag come out during the afternoon on the Twitter. But for Honduras it's been a great ride for our local soccer orbit. Costa Rica has absolutely captured the fancy of many.

Today brings the Great Illusionist Messini and his Argentine Band of Merry Men in one of those matchups that yeah, let's just say can get out of hand and make for some bad feelings. Argentina vs. Iran, which is sure to be an all-star type game of score-o for La Albiceleste. The meat of our soccer sammich today is of great interest to USA fans. Germany is playing Ghana and if you're a casual fan and might not know about  group stage scoring USA fans want Germany to beat Ghana into next week. Every time Germany scores drink a stein of beer. If Ghana loses they'd have zero points which means the USA would clinch a spot in the knockout rounds with a win OR tie tomorrow vs. Portugal. The trouble with this is that Ghana will not go down quietly. The makings of a great match. The dinner selection is a bit weaker, we'll be honest here. An early dinner out or a movie are not out of the question if you've been a good soccer fan and watched your fill. Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Nigeria is by no means a classic matchup but both sides will be desperate and that can make for a great couple of hours.

Know what else is great about he World Cup games and soccer in general? There's no, "This corner kick brought to you by Chevrolet because America loves a recall." This goal kick sponsored by Tampax, "We're not number one but we're up there." Just good announcing or sounds from the pitch. Surely within ten years this will change if soccer catches on even more in the USA.

Argentina vs Iran noon
Germany vs Ghana 3pm
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Nigeria 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...

2 hours from a potential La Liga title

Can Johnny get a Força Barça?!

NJ Transit and Coach USA -- You can cancel those extra busses on Friday

Friday night there is a big soccer match at the New Meadowlands (Johnny's not getting paid to call it by the corporate name so it's the New Meadowlands) between Ecuador and Argentina. Oh, did we catch your eye there with Argentina? Well here is the bus info:

Between 5 and 9 p.m., a No. 353 NJ Transit shuttle bus is to provide service from Secaucus Junction to Lot C at MetLife Stadium, next to the Meadowlands train station.

Coach USA also is scheduled to operate a No. 351 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan to the stadium.

Bus service from the stadium is set to continue from 9:30 p.m. until an hour after the match ends.

Now just go ahead and release those busses back to doing other jobs, they won't be needed. Lionel Messi, the greatest player ever and Argentinian talisman is injured and won't play for two months. Nobody is gonna go to this match of two South American teams in mid-November in New Jersey. Not without Leo Messi they're not. So as we Barcelona fans sit back and wait for Messi to get back in form, here's a clip of what you will NOT be seeing Friday.

Hey Hey, how about Rutgers' Eric LeGrand!?

He got the fan's choice cover on this week's Sports Illustrated!! LeGrand's recovery from a paralyzing injury last season vs Army and his brave fight back have captured the hearts of Americans and LeGrand even beat out Barcelona and Argentina soccer superstar Lionel Messi for the cover, a fact not lost on LeGrand:

"I beat out Messi in this, and when I get well, I'll beat him out on the pitch (soccer field)," said a smiling LeGrand during a press conference to announce his selection at the Hale Center on the Rutgers campus.

Know what? We hope Eric gets to one day keep that date on the pitch with Lionel Messi, so long as it's not playing for Real Madrid.

Go get 'em Eric!

Johnny's got big doings today (and tomorrow...)

And maybe this weekend. If you wanna close those big deals so you can add another death ray around town one must brandish those business brass knuckles and that's what today and the next couple days are about.

You know the routine by now, comment on anything you wanna...

This didn't suck last night that's for sure. When you are a Barça fan you feel blessed you don't ever have to cheer for the thugs at Real Madrid. Victory for Blaugranes!

What a soccer game last night

Team USA did themselves very proud last night in a very cold and windy New Meadowlands in coming back to get a very strong result, 1-1 with Argentina. The Argentina side really came out smoking with top player Lionel Messi weaving many potential scoring runs through the US defenders, luckily he managed just one such run that paid off. As the game wore on it did seem the USA got stronger and their defense started collapsing in and around Messi to limit Argentina's scoring chances. While the defense of DeMerit and Bocanegra and Onyewu tightened up, Coach Bob Bradley's insertion of Juan Agudelo into the attack paid dividends 15 minutes into the second half as Agudelo chipped a loose ball past the Argentinian goalkeeper after a beautiful ball into the area by Landon Donovan (is there anybody better in the world at free kicks and set pieces?) and a sharp header on goal by Bocanegra.

The USA had a few other chances later as their game got better and better. While billed as an international friendly match this had all the electricity (in the crowd to be sure) of a World Cup game. Argentina ranked #4 in the world played their best side and the USA ranked #19 in the world played their top players. On this night the USA was equal. Why does a friendly match in March of 2011 matter to the World Cup seedings in June of 2014? Image and perception are everything. If the USA goes great guns in international friendly matches their ranking goes up as does the general opinion of the USA side it means a better seeding than Mexico when the World Cup pairings come out. For years the USA would beat Mexico in qualifiers but Mexico had built a better reputation so the USA would get dumped into groups of death. This past World Cup the USA was better thought of and lo and behold a good draw in South Africa. THAT is why these games are important even though they seem not to be.

So who is headed out to the New Meadowlands tomorrow for the big USA vs Argentina soccer match?

Since international football is taking a couple week break so that their biggest stars can play for their country in friendly matches around the globe that means the top US players as well as the top Argentinian players will be on the pitch tomorrow night. Sure it'll be chilly but you'll get to see USA heroes like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Michael Bradley among others. Of course when you mention the Argentina side you have to mention the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, who will also be out there tomorrow night (well actually if you're an autograph hound the Argentina side is staying at the Westin in Jersey City).

Johnny will bring you full coverage of the match with some incredibly bad iPhone shots, the kind you've come to know and cringe over. Let's hear it for Team USA!

One giant goal, one reaction from the stadium in South Africa, the other from a bar in California....Amazingly similar. Tell Johnny again how Americans hate this game.