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world cup qualifying

Costa Rica’s World Cup run creates buzz for Central American Nation

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Costa Rica went to the knockout round of 16 in their very first World Cup appearance, but 2014 proved to be their most successful tournament yet.  They beat Greece 5-3 on penalty kicks in extra time to advance to the round of eight for the first time ever. And they fought extremely hard in the quarter-final round, finally being vanquished on penalty kicks. Yes, coming within … [Read more...] about Costa Rica’s World Cup run creates buzz for Central American Nation

World Cup Group H Preview: Should Spain be the favorite to win it all?

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Group H is the group of similarities. For starters, three of the four teams (Spain, Honduras and Chile) are Spanish-speaking countries. This means that both teams will be able to comprehend “yo mama” jokes, which may lead to more Zinedine Zidane-like headbutts. Another similarity is the fact that some of the most accomplished coaches are in this group. Spain is coached by … [Read more...] about World Cup Group H Preview: Should Spain be the favorite to win it all?

World Cup Group F Preview: Can Italy defend their title?

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For those who want to see fast-paced, high-flying action, look elsewhere, because Group F is made up of grind-it-out teams. Italy, the defending World Cup champs, have always been known for their defense and counter-attacking. Paraguay only scored 11 goals in their past 11 World Cup games. Slovakia is a team who looks to get an early lead and sit on it. That leaves us with New … [Read more...] about World Cup Group F Preview: Can Italy defend their title?

World Cup Group G Preview: Who will survive the “Group of Death”?

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Every year there is a “group of death”. This year’s “group of death” is hands down Group G. Three of the four teams are some of the world’s best (Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast). Unfortunately, only two can advance. Not only are there great teams in this group, there are world-class players as well. In this group, are the 2007 and 2008 FIFA World Players of the Year, Kaka … [Read more...] about World Cup Group G Preview: Who will survive the “Group of Death”?

World Cup Group D Preview: Same old, same old from the Germans?

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Germany Overview: Germany is to soccer as Michigan State is to college basketball. They are the kings of consistency. It seems like every World Cup there are question marks with Germany, but they do nothing but prove people wrong. They made it to the final in the ’02 World Cup and lost to eventual champions, Italy, in ’06. More recently, they finished runner-up to Spain at … [Read more...] about World Cup Group D Preview: Same old, same old from the Germans?

World Cup Group B Preview

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If I could pick between: seeing the Chicago Cubs win the World Series before I die or never seeing Argentina's coach Diego Maradona naked, I would choose the latter. I think I would rather go to a Justin Bieber concert by myself than see that. Earlier this month, Maradona claimed that he would go streaking through the streets of Buenos Aries if Argentina won the World Cup. … [Read more...] about World Cup Group B Preview

Mexican National Team soccer match at Soldier Field sells out

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Chicago’s Soldier Field has sold out for the international soccer match featuring the World Cup-bound Mexican national team and the African nation of Senegal, scheduled for this upcoming Monday, May 10 (9 p.m. ET), organizers announced today. The second consecutive sell-out in “El Tri’s” May tour matches prior to traveling to South Africa, over 60,000 fans are expected to … [Read more...] about Mexican National Team soccer match at Soldier Field sells out