Dark Horses

Which underdog teams do you believe could cause a fright, if any, in WC2010?

Serbia, pretty solid team.

South Africa. They put up a huge fight against Spain in the Confederations Cup.

I'd say Ivory Coast and Serbia.

I'd say the USA could cause a stir. They'll finish 2ND in their group of course but after that i think they could do well. I was impressed with them during Confederations Cup.

They have that fighting spirit and togetherness about them right now.

Put me down for Switzerland......you read it here first. 

Uruguay, might surprise with Forlan and Suarez up front.

Put me down for Switzerland......you read it here first.  

surprisingly you weren't first: http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=30003.msg669677#msg669677   

Denmark! Come on Dani!

Serbia, USA and Ghana.

^^^^Spot on.

USA has as good a chance as any to make some noise, they're too athletic to not be in every game, same with Ghana. I also like Serbia's chances as they have talent all over the pitch.

I expect Spain to come out of nowhere and make some noise. They could win their group and give a top team some trouble in the second round 

Chile and/or Paraguay

Problem about Chile is that even if they qualify for the knockout stage (which I think they will), they'll get a very difficult opponent then

USA

Serbia can cause a stir. Great team, especially in midfield.

Mexico, South Korea and Japan also.

Uruguay, might surprise with Forlan and Suarez up front.

surprisingly you weren't first: http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=30003.msg669677#msg669677  

 

That's it....hell has officially frozen over. ..... but (to be fair) i didn't see that and crouchy has tipped about 30 "Dark Horses".

Just the one.

The others have potential in them.

Uruguay will beat France first game.

Ivory Coast, Cameroon, USA and Germany

Denmark.

For me its Serbia, Ivory Coast and USA

Two sides I think will surprise will be Denmark and Chile

I was going to say Belgium for a second but they're not in it are they?

I have read a good bit about the coming World Cup and, like i said in other threads, i think Chile could be a surprise package. They play exciting football, have a good young crop of players and a very sensible experienced manager. Watch this space...

Not so much a dark horse, but I'm going to see what odds I can get for France not qualifying from the group stages, just got a little inkling....

Not so much a dark horse, but I'm going to see what odds I can get for France not qualifying from the group stages, just got a little inkling....

I am telling you, i fully back that thought. They are an awful awful team. And that man Domenach is a terrible coach. Good shout.

England.

If they get there best 11 out on the pitch and get a bit of luck required then maybe

Cameroon & Swiss.

Ghana or the USA for me. Neither of them will win it, but they could make some noise.

Agree about the predicted failure of france to get out of the group and for the ivory coast to get to the semis.
USA to draw with us in the group opener and to get to the quaters.
The shocker for me will be that no south american team will get to the last four. Italy to beat spain in the final after extra time. FACT!

Don't rule out Antarctica, they have some boss penguins coming through the ranks.

So after Ice Hockey do we have Ice Football too?

And back on topic....

Ivory Coast, Uruguay and Mexico.

I dont really consider the US as an Underdog anymore. Not in the true sense of "Underdog"  They have a lot of talent, most with top league experience and the US generally produce some of the best Goalkeepers in the world. Plus when they are hot and feeling good they can beat anyone. Period.

I think the Confed. gave them some confidence and they now know they can beat top teams.  I dont put them in the same class as Brazil Argentina,Italy Spain or even England, But their not that far behind anymore and being called an Underdog, IMO is incorrect. If they won it would be HUGE for US Soccer and a surprise but not out of the realm of possibility. This is the WC and anything can happen,

I hate to say it, especially on this forum but if they beat England it will be a massive boost for them going out of the group stage and I think they can beat England. They need to play perfect ball, but they can win it.

People mentioning Serbia might change their mind after their 1-0 loss against New Zealand today

People mentioning Serbia might change their mind after their 1-0 loss against New Zealand today

Serious!

why does everyone take friendlies so seriously? 
serbia played without krasić, jovanović, stanković and ivanović
that's 4 out of our 5 key players. and as i said, it's just a friendly match, new zealand had 2-3 counter attacks, and the rest of time it was serbia attacking, even with the reserve team. but we will have to do better if we want to beat anyone on the wc, that's true

Friendlies aren't that serious obviously, but losing to a team like New Zealand is quite bad if you're a team with aspirations at the World Cup. Think you know too your team can do alot better than that, even if it's a friendly  and without some of your best players.

United States

They beat Turkey tonight didn't they, not bad.

Good win for us against Turkey.   Altidore scores and Dempsey with the winner.  Nice showing and good win to take into the WC. Their playing good and seem to be coming together.  

The last WC, we had twice as much hype and were supposed to go far, instead we took a sh*t.  Now this team is alot better then the last WC squad and we have less hype and pressure.  So, I dont know. I truly think its going to be England and the US out of our group. But after that, who knows....I think an appearance in the last 4 would be a huge boost to the US game and a Final appearance would be Incredible.

Right now if they make the Semi's...I will be happy and think attitudes will change. Our top league is on par with the Championship League. I think...Maybe top of League 1.  I wish the MLS could send a representative to Champions League.  I think that would also do a lot to promote the league and sport.  I had a buddy who didnt watch Football at all and he was with me when I watched the CL Final in Istanbul and now he loves it.

Didn't the US reach the quarter-finals in 2002?

Donovan and Dempsey are good players!

If US don't have dempsey or Altidore they are phucked.

Dempsey, bradley, donovan, altidore and howard are all on their day extremly good players. The defenders though not particulary good know how to cover each other well.
I honestly believe the game between us and the USA is going to be 1-1. They should really be aiming for the quaters and should get there.
I'd happily have altidore at anfield. A couple of years learning from nando will make him a quality striker. 

Dempsey, bradley, donovan, altidore and howard are all on their day extremly good players. The defenders though not particulary good know how to cover each other well.
I honestly believe the game between us and the USA is going to be 1-1. They should really be aiming for the quaters and should get there.
I'd happily have altidore at anfield. A couple of years learning from nando will make him a quality striker. 

I said it before that Liverpool should go after him. Hes young and has the chance of being one of the best US players in 20 years. He's fast, good ball control, sees the field well, has a rocket kick, he has some European experience with Hull and Villareal. I would like him to get more time playing in Europe. I think if he got on a club with a solid coaching staff and could get him a little more geared to the European game he could be a top tier player. When it comes to team USA its all about Dempsey and Donovan, I thnk Altidore is a gem just needing to be polished. If a club took a chance and worked him and got him more and more time he could turn out to be a fantastic player.

He grew up in this part of New Jersey which just breeds football players. The area has the best youth coaching and select teams in the entire country. Half of the players who ever played for team USA came from New Jersey.  I grew up there and played select and traveling and these guys are the real thing. Just so good. I couldnt Imagine how good he could be if he trained and played with Torres and Gerrard.

You will hear his name in the next 2-3 years. If trained right and polished he could be a top 50 player in the world.

You will hear his name in the next 2-3 years. If trained right and polished he could be a top 50 player in the world.

Him and Freddy Adu then!!

Chile - runners-up in S American qualifying - smart young side - prob won't beat Spain but should be better than Switzerland (lost to Luxembourg in qualifying) and Honduras. Likely to then meet overrated Portugal in last 16 so could make QFs.

Him and Freddy Adu then!!

Adu really hasnt done sh*t to prove himself. At least Altidore has European playing time and played with a good squad in Villareal and even Hull gave him some EPL experience. He's Still young and needs to get with a team with a solid, youth squad. I think a few seasons with the Liverpool reserves he could become a great player.

Some American players have proven themselves. McBride was a good player for Fulham. He scored 40 goals in 4 seasons. Were going to see some Americans make some noise in Europe. No doubt.  Donovan had a decent run with Everton, enough that they wanted to keep him. Friedel is good Keeper so is Howard, Jay Demerit, Jonathan Spector, Demarcus Beasley. I dont think their anywhere near top of the league but good enough to start and play on a regular basis in the top league in the world. Thats got to mean something. Clint Dempsey had 21 goals in 2 seasons for Fulham and was a good player..

Its hard for these kids to break the stereotype. They need to play better than anyone just because their American. Out of all the National players I just think Altidore has a chance to be better then all of them and finally be considered a top world player. If he has a good WC showing, I think he will be a heavily recruited player by a lot on English Clubs and would love to see him in Liverpool. Would you just ignore a great player just because hes American?

I can understand that the US as a team have to break a stereotype or feel they have something to prove, but I don't believe players as individuals have to break any stereotypes. Good talented players can come from any country in the world, I don't think people look at them differently because they're from the US. There are too many different nationalities involved in this sport and all the leagues for that to be an issue. You're either good or you're not, doesn't matter where you're from.

Personally I've always liked Michael Bradley, think he has potential.

England havent got a cat in hell's chance if they play like they did against Japan, I didnt watch it but thats what most unbiased people have been saying. Think about it, not ONE england scored a goal, they were own goals

England havent got a cat in hell's chance if they play like they did against Japan, I didnt watch it but thats what most unbiased people have been saying. Think about it, not ONE england scored a goal, they were own goals

They were careful not to get injured  
But seriously, an asian and an african team in the last eight would make things interesting!

New Zealand

I'll say Uruguay. Suarez, Cavani and Forlan will be lethal up front together.

Ivory coast.

I reckon they could go quite far. South Africa too.

Ivory coast.

I reckon they could go quite far. South Africa too.

Same

Can you imagine the international outcry if North Korea won the World Cup? Oh my, it would be WW3  .

Denmark to get to the semis but lose to Spain and England to lose the other to Argentina. Spain champions of the world..

USA.

Stuart Holden will be a name to know in a month.

Denmark to get to the semis but lose to Spain and England to lose the other to Argentina. Spain champions of the world..

Just read this and thought; "My god thats exactly what I think will happen." Then I saw my name.

Just read this and thought; "My god thats exactly what I think will happen." Then I saw my name.

Classic.

Think uruguay will surprise a few people, solid team! Pretty much agree with what alot are saying in ivory coast too!

Cant see South Africa being up to much though, theyre about as much use as a nuns tit!

Germany are always dark Horses

Dutch..

RVP is netting for fun.

Uruguay, might surprise with Forlan and Suarez up front.

surprisingly you weren't first: http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=30003.msg669677#msg669677  

Got them in the sweep stake at work
About 2 hours later the Mrs phones up and guess who she has got in her sweep stake
 Come On Uruguay !!!


I think Serbia will do well but also the Danes may surprise a few people

Germany, Uruguay, and Slovakia

I wouldn't call Germany a dark horse, they're always a contender in my opinion.

But most people I know write them off straight away
Then get to Quarters or Semi's

But most people I know write them off straight away
Then get to Quarters or Semi's

They ended up 3rd 4 years ago, 2nd 4 years before that. I'm not a big fan of their team, but it would be foolish to think they're not serious contenders. I wouldn't call them dark horses. To me they belong up there with Italy, England, Brazil and Argentina. Then Spain above that. And then Holland even above that, ofcourse

I think the biggest dark horse in the whole competition, but they will probably fall at the first is............Emile Heskey. Got a knob like a horse anyway.....allegedly

Do Holland count as a dark horse as potential winners? I'd definitely say. Not being talked about enough (never are which is a travesty to their sweet sweet football).

In terms of causing some shocks - maybe Paraguay.

Mexico