"Hey Red Sox, how do you feel about Angola's performance in their first 2 World Cup games?"


Well, I just got through the Mexico/Angola match, and while it was certainly no classic, hats off to Angola for playing so hard and determined for a 2nd straight game. I don't think most critics, myself included, thought they would finish in anything but last place in Group D. But lo and behold, with some luck, they could actually make it to the 2nd round! Not that I think it will happen, but they've definitely earned respect from teams around the world. So Lavolpe was a genius for his subs against Iran on Sunday, huh? Wonder if they'll be hanging him in effigy throughout Mexico tonight? Wow, do they miss Borgetti up top! They seemed out of sorts all night, and you've got to figure they're in trouble when defender Rafael Marquez is their biggest offensive threat on the night.

As for the commentators, ESPN has been brutalized for the most part so far, but I don't think it's been that bad. I really liked Robin Fraser's commentary the best. He doesn't go into long-winded rants, he makes very astute positional and game tactical observations, and seemed content to let Rob Stone do most of the talking. No problem w/ that, and I hope to see more of Fraser as the tournament wears on.

As for the other 2 games, what can you say about Argentina? Were they that good or was Serbia and Montenegro that bad? I'm tending to go w/ the former. Yes, S&M (I just love typing that abbreviation) were dreadful, but that's due in large part to the superior play of Argentina. When you can bring a Messi and Tevez off the bench who can bring that kind of firepower, you've got to think they're legit contenders. I agree w/ my colleague Craig Stouffer who said there isn't another team (including Brazil) who has more offensively dangerous subs than those 2. I think, before the tourney, Argentina was overlooked by lots of people. Not anymore. And just so they get full credit, another colleague of mine, Jimmy Laroue, and Richmond Kickers' GM Paul Sterbenz both picked the Argies to win it all.

Holland/Ivory Coast was a track meet, especially in the first half. It looked like the Dutch might blow the game open early, but IC showed a tremendous amount of guts and flair by cutting the lead to 1, and nearly tied it if it weren't for Von Persie's goal-line clearance near the end. Unfortunately, one of the tournament's most attractive teams is now out, as the Dutch and Argies both punched their tickets to the next round with wins. A real shame that Didier Drogba's tournament is over a game early, as he'll have to sit matchday 3 after getting yellows in 2 straight games. However, as Tommy Smyth said today on ESPN, this IC team is very young, and could have a significant impact on the 2010 tournament when it's held on their continent.

As for Saturday's outlook, well, I guess we need Ghana to beat the Czechs and for us to beat Italy, putting everybody at 3 points. Not likely to happen, but seriously, who would have thought Angola would steal a point from Mexico, or T&T would draw w/ Sweden? It can happen, folks. Don't give up hope just yet.

See you tomorrow.