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The greatest sporting event in the world has concluded its play and with it millions of viewers around the world can finally return to normal everyday schedule. The tournament, first ever hosted in Africa was great and aside from some refereeing errors and the constant noise of the vuvuzelas most people will view it as a success.
For the final on Sunday, I decided to go to Soldier Field and watch the game with a couple thousand fans at Soldier Field. The event was called 2010 Chicago World Cup Festival and it featured live soccer matches on the field, live music and entertainment, as well as a live viewing of the final game between Netherlands and Spain.
The event did not draw a crowd that the organizers were hoping for (I’m assuming) but the atmosphere at the stadium was great nevertheless. Lots of Spain and Holland supporters came on to cheer their country in this historic game. (Neither team had won the World Cup before)
The first noticeable thing I came across as I was arriving at Soldier Field (walking from Grant Park) was the shortage of signs pointing people in the right direction. The entire north side of the stadium was barricaded off and after walking downstairs and upstairs numerous times, myself and a large group of others decided to circle around the stadium and try our luck from the south entrance. That turned out to be the right way to go, but the lack of any signs whatsoever and the 90 degree heat made the walk a very uncomfortable one.
Once at the gate there were several tents outside providing the fans with free Coke Zero or Powerade refreshments. This certainly seemed to raise the spirits of those who just spent half an hour trying to figure out a way in. Once in and inside the concourse of the stadium there was a real, party like atmosphere. Live entertainment, music and numerous tents made the event seem like a Sport Expo. There were tents sponsoring different charities, offering newest equipment, to the official South African tent with all kinds of different memorabilia, including an option to buy a signature “vuvuzela.” After purchasing mine, I decided to see what exactly is happening on the field.
The field was split up in three different areas, which created three smaller size soccer fields enabling the tournament to be completed quicker. There were many different age groups on display ranging from the young adults, teens, girls teams to even young guys in grade school. The quality of play was great and it certainly provided entertainment for those waiting for the final to start.
The final between Spain and Holland was a disappointment from a quality of game perspective but not in terms of drama. Andres Iniesta’s goal in the 116th minute gave Spain its first ever World Cup title, much to the delight of the Spanish fans at Soldier Field.
Couple things I didn’t like about the event was the admission price ($20 a little to expensive for my taste) and even the food inside the stadium was the same price like it is during Chicago Bears games. Buying a $6 beer or a $5 hot dog is expensive even when at a Bears game, let alone at an event such as this one was. In my opinion the food was overpriced and it probably stopped some people from ordering. Another problem was the lack of signs on the north side of the stadium leaving people to wonder which way they needed to go. A couple of signs on either side would have solved this problem and saved a bunch of people less walking on a hot summer day.
Overall, the festival was an interesting experience to attend as a fan and a member of the press. I got to see a World Cup Final alongside a couple thousand other fans at Soldier Field. Sure there were some things that could have been better but I have yet to go to a festival that didn’t miss a thing here or there. I will definitely be looking forward to a similar event in July of 2014 when the World Cup takes place in Brazil. Hopefully USA will make a deeper run in that tournament.
To view pictures from the event click here:
And then there are only four remaining. The world’s biggest stage is nearing its conclusion and there has been a major shakeup in the teams remaining. After dominating the group play South America lost all but one of its quarter-finalists, as Europe assumed control over the soccer world yet again. Gone are the perennial South American powers Brazil and Argentina, both at the hands of European foes, and so is pesky and determined Paraguay at the hands of Spain…ahem, Europe once again. The struggles of European powers such as Italy, France and England in the group stage has been already forgotten after an impressive run by European nations in the quarterfinals. The lone South American torch bearer left is Uruguay, a country of just over 3 million people, who hope to join Brazil as the only other South American nation with three or more World Cup trophies.
The semifinals are set. Uruguay faces off against the Netherlands in the first semifinal on Tuesday while Germany takes on Spain in the Wednesday’s game, the latter being viewed as the final before the final by many experts.
Here is a preview of Tuesday’s semifinal:
URUGUAY – NETHERLANDS (Tuesday 1:30 C.T., Cape Town – Green Point Stadium, ESPN)
It is the “lesser” of the two semifinals first in Cape Town, as Diego Forlan and Uruguay face off against Wesley Sneijder and the “Oranje.”
Up to this point in the tournament no attacking pair has been more impressive than the duo of 
Diego Forlan (pictured right) and Luis Suarez.They are both scoring goals, creating chances for one another and other teammates, but the most impressive part of their game is the fact that they both come back and help on defense. They are both unselfish, extremely quick and great passers, too. The best part about this duo is that they play great together and feed off of each other, something missing from other top duos in the World Cup, in particular Spain’s twosome of Fernando Torres and David Villa.
The problem for Uruguay is that they will miss Luis Suarez too much following his red card against Ghana. Along with Suarez, Uruguay will also miss starting defender Jorge Fucile due to suspension. These two suspensions will affect how Uruguay plays against the Netherlands. In my opinion, Uruguay will play more defensive and will wait for the right opportunities to counter attack. If Uruguay is able to beat Holland, it will be the country’s first time in the final since they won it all in 1950.
As for the Dutch, they will be without two key players as well in defender Gregory Van Der Wiel and the Manchester City defensive midfielder Nigel De Jong. Netherlands is coming off a stunning upset of world #1 Brazil, something that looked even less possible after Brazil went up 1:0 in the early stages of the game. The “Oranje” will continue to depend on the playmaking of 
Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben’s mazy runs on the left wing and yet-to-be-found consistent scoring touch of Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie.
The Dutch will have more of the ball most likely, they will create more chances and they will hope to neutralize Uruguay’s counter-attacking scheme. I think that in the end the loss of Suarez is too big to overcome for Uruguay, which should pave the way for the “Orange Machine” to go to its first World Cup Final since 1978.
PREDICTION: Netherlands 2 – Uruguay 1
The group stage is over. Long and boring at times but hard fought nevertheless. Controversial, for sure.
The Round of 16 is over. Short and full of action, full of heartbreak and glory. More controversy followed and fans from England and Mexico are blaming FIFA for the early exit, in some ways rightfully so. Blown calls cost both teams momentum in the round of 16 games and they both ended up losing those games. Were they beaten by better teams? Yes, but one can never predict what could have happened if Lampard’s goal had been allowed or if Argentina’s was erased because of the missed offside call.
With the round of 16 completed it is time to turn the page and focus on the quarterfinals. On Friday Brazil plays Netherlands in the early game, while Uruguay faces off against the U.S. nemesis Ghana. Saturday’s games include the mouth-watering affair between Argentina and Germany, and in the late game European champions Spain entertain Paraguay. Here is a preview of Friday’s games:
NETHERLANDS – BRAZIL (9 a.m. CT, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium)
It’s the five time champions Brazil against the Dutch machine that has yet to click on all cylinders. Brazil has gotten better as the tournament has gone on and are coming in this match extremely confident following their 3:0 thrashing of Chile. 
The defense appears to be the best remaining in the tournament (especially since Portugal’s exit at the hands of Spain) and the likes of Kaka (pictured left), Luis Fabiano and Robinho are finally hitting their stride. This is bad news for the rest of the teams and in particular Holland, who are winning but not in stylish fashion.
The Dutch are full of talent and belief. The fact that they haven’t played up to their potential but won every game thus far speaks of the talent available on the “Oranje” squad. The passing of Wesley Sneijder, the yet-to-be-seen scoring prowess of Robin Van Persie and the return of Arjen Robben all contributes to the strength of the Dutch. When Holland plays like they are capable of, even the mighty Brazil might find it hard to stop them. One thing is for sure: It will be an entertaining match and there should be goals.
PREDICTION: Brazil 2 – Netherlands 1
URUGUAY – GHANA (1:30 p.m. CT, Soccer City Stadium – Johannesburg)
The two surprise quarter-finalists meet with a gigantic chance to advance to a World Cup semi finals. Uruguay has not gone to the semis in over 50 years while Ghana are hoping to be the first ever African team to advance to the semi finals. Since the tournament is taking place on the African continent it would be a great story if an African team makes it into the semis.
Uruguay has been impressive. They started off slow in the stalemate against France but have improved in every game since. The trio of Suarez, Forlan and Cavani has been very effective and will present major problems for the Ghanaian defense. In a tournament dominated by South American teams, Uruguay has flown under the radar, however, a win against Ghana will get everyone’s attention.
The African heart is still beating and Ghana hopes to continue its awesome display on Friday against Uruguay. Following the win against U.S., 
the Black Stars hope that their best player Asamoah Gyan (pictured right) is fit enough for the games against Uruguay. The Ghanaian team is strong, quick and will certainly not fear the South American opponents, at least not this South American opponent. The problem with Ghana is that their buildup is great but they have missed many goal scoring chances in the group stage. I believe that changes in this game.
PREDICTION: Ghana 3 – Uruguay 2 (after extra time)
My predictions are usually way off (for some reason), however, I do believe I may get lucky with these two picks. Anyone cares to disagree, please let me know.