We threw around a lot of numbers, odds and uninformed soccer opinions yesterday about the Americans and their chances in Group C. Over the next two days we get to see the two main players in that group in warm up games. England plays Mexico later today and American matches with the Czechs tomorrow night in international friendlies as they work to iron out all the kinks in advance of next month’s World Cup in South Africa. I am not sure what we can learn about Team USA or Team England from these matches, but if I’m going to speak soccer neckbeard over the next month, its probably worth my time to watch. And, of course, they do have odds on these matches, and I dont really need more than that to become interested in any sporting event.
One of the Yanks primary goals in tomorrow’s match: avoiding more injuries. Team USA also has a friendly on each of the next two Saturdays in advance of the World Cup. They play the Turks this week, while next Satuday, they will exhibition with fellow World Cupper Australia. The third Saturday from now will be their World Cup opener against the Brits. Of course, there’s more than just dodging the injury bug at stake against the Czechs tomorrow night. Currently the Nationals are carrying 30 players, but coach Bob Bradley has said they wll pare that down to the official of roster of 23 after tomorrow’s friendly. Translation: Its final cut day. The Americans are -111 to beat the Czechs tomorrow night, with a Draw netting 2.2/1 and a Czech win 2.8/1.
The England match today has some intruigue because they’re playing Mexico. Hey soccer fans, is this like when Notre Dame and OSU play in football? Kidding aside, its one of the few friendlies on the schedule between not just World Cup teams, but squads expecting to advance. England Coach Fabio Capello will experiment in the friendly today and dont expect any of their players who ran in the European Championship game over the weekend to play. Interestingly, the odds on this match are about the same as the one between England and USA to open the World Cup. Mexico, like the Americans, are 5/1 to beat the Brits. Despite playing with the lineup and resting some important guns, England is chalier against the Mexicans than they will be against the Yanks. Today’s price on England is -222, while next month against the Americans is it “just” -188. A draw today pays out at 2.8/1. I cant possibly commit to an actual pick, but isnt risking that much on England to win given they wont put their best team on the field somewhat reckless? Maybe take a flier on a draw, if you must. England, like the US, has a couple more friendlies before the games begin. We’re watching primarily to see if we can learn anything about soccer and these teams. And to see if these games impact the odds at all on the Main Event in South Africa.
Speaking of friendlies, one was already played today between fellow World Cup teams as South Korea topped Japan 2-0. My only take on that is that the Koreans are in Group B with heavy chalk Argentina. The other three clubs–South Korea, Greece and Nigeria–have all been noticeably inconsistent in recent years. Did South Korea turn a corner? They dont fare too well in international play off their own continent, but they are as good a bet as anybody else to come in second place in that group and advance. Maybe a play with 3.5/1 odds on them being eliminated in the Round of 16 is worth a look?
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