This is a relatively new nation and this will be their first trip to the World Cup. They are the only nation making their debut at this level in this event and nobody thinks they are going to embarrass themselves based on what we have seen during qualifying.
Kings Look for 2-0 Series Lead – Host Rangers in Game 2 Saturday
The New York Rangers got a good idea of what the San Jose Sharks, the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks already knew – the Los Angeles Kings are really, really good!
The Giants will aim to add to the best record in baseball on Friday night, when they prepare to open a three-game series with the visiting New York Mets on Friday.
Friday night’s tilt in the desert is an intriguing match-up because, although Arizona has a batting order full of weapons right now, Atlanta possesses a potent weapon – starting pitcher Julio Teheran.
The Mariners are on a roll having won 5 in a row to push over .500 and within a half game of the Angels in the AL West. Those 5 are all against teams with winning records and it looks like this Seattle team might be in the playoff hunt, taking advantage of the fact that Texas is unlikely to be a sustained competitor.
An interleague match-up in middle America – does it get any more “baseball” than that? I think not.
The Orioles will aim to sweep their series against the Texas Rangers when they close out a three-game set in Arlington on Thursday night.
The Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in the third game of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. The Angels won the second game in the series on Wednesday, 4-0, leaving both teams looking for a series win on Thursday in the rubber match.
The Diamondbacks surprisingly good fortunes on the road have continued with a couple of victories over Colorado to start this series.
They have won it twice which is two more times than a lot of nations that think they are futbol powers. There is usually an advantage for those nations that are on the continent of the host nation, which could especially be the case if Brazil stumbles.
Colombia enters as this summer’s Group C favorite in Brazil, and will open its World Cup play against a stubborn Greece side that are not expected to make it out of the group stage, much less the finals.
This Central American nation is the minnow in Group D. Unfortunately, someone has to be.
The Italians have always been part of world football aristocracy, and they’ll expect commensurate results in this summer’s World Cup, even being in such a tricky Group D.
Uruguay is one of the storied international clubs in South America, with 12 World Cup appearances and winning it in 1930 and 1950. However, that is a long time ago.
Germany will open its World Cup Group G campaign with a crucial match against a Portugal side which will once again rely heavily on the skills of mega superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
World Cup time is finally here and as if there needed to be any more buzz surrounding this anticipated tournament, it’s being held in the footballing mecca of Brazil. Fans from around the world will be going wild in Brazil’s legendary party spots and even in Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
