Xavi's generation won and won and won, but the end came swiftly in Brazil. Here's how Spain will come back remade with a new gospel while keeping tiki-taka. Read more »
World Cup - Soccer Analysis
Xavi-Taka Is Dead, Long Live Tiki-Taka
Group H: The Arrival Of Belgium's Golden Generation
The blend of strength and skill Belgium puts out there makes them one of the most balanced XI’s and why so many observers are bullish on their chances to go deep. Russia and South Korea are a virtual toss-up to also advance, though the former would be the tougher out moving forward. Read more »
Group G: Group Of Press
Germany is the favorite to win the group, but they’ll miss Marco Reus’ attack from midfield. Portugal carry much of the same squad that made it to the semifinals of Euro 2012, and Ronaldo is always dangerous. The opening match between U.S. and Ghana will decide if either has a chance at advancing. Read more »
Group E: A Group Of Redemption
While France is the favorite to win, each country has something to prove in their nation’s World Cup timeline. Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras have problems defending, and the speed in width to exploit each other’s weaknesses. Read more »
Group D: Rock, Paper, Scissors
Italy, Uruguay and England is as true of a three-team race as we can ever expect from a group. None of the three squads have enough depth of quality to sustain a run all the way to the Maracanã even though they could surely beat any team in the world. Read more »
Group B: Aesthetics & Contenders
Group B has three aesthetically appealing squads in Spain, Chile and the Netherlands that appear capable of going the distance on paper and merely getting out into the Round of 16 will be an important accomplishment. Read more »
Group A: A Group Of Styles
Group A appears to be Brazil and everyone else, but the other three have a diverse range of styles. Croatia’s midfield is the most creative, Cameroon’s the best at pressing. Mexico’s midfield relies most on possession, and Brazil has a little bit of everything depending on who plays Read more »
The 2014 World Cup: A Tournament Of Transition
The best attacker in this 2014 World Cup will be a country’s press. Of course, games are won by brilliant moments from individual players. Genius does still exist. But the modern game is less Steve Jobs than it is Wikipedia. Read more »
Diego Costa's Magical, Controversial 2014
Regardless of how far Atlético goes in the UCL and their final standing in La Liga, his probable transfer to either Chelsea or Arsenal in the summer, Diego Costa in the World Cup could be the real story of 2014. Read more »