LSU Soccer 2014 World Cup Pick’em
When Brazil hosts Croatia in Sao Paulo for the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Thursday afternoon, the race will be on for the most coveted trophy in world sport as 32 teams will compete for the honor of lifting the trophy on July 13 at Brazil’s famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Members of the LSU Soccer program have set out to prove their expertise and have made their picks of which nations they think will advance from the group stage and into the knockout rounds, and ultimately which country will claim the title of World Cup Champion for 2014.
LSU Soccer’s FIFA World Cup Pick ‘Em Contest 2014 will feature a point system as points will be assigned for correct picks throughout the tournament. A winner will be crowned after the FIFA World Cup Final to be played on July 13.
There will be 1 point awarded for each team correctly picked to advance to the knockout stages and 2 bonus points awarded for each perfect group in which a contestant correctly picks both the first-place and second-place teams in order that advance to the knockout stages. Scoring for the knockout rounds will award 3 points for correctly picked quarterfinalists, 6 points for correctly picked semifinalists, 12 points for correctly picked finalists and 24 points for correctly picking the champion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, 12 bonus points will be awarded for correctly picking the winner of the third-place game to be played on July 12.
Our “expert” picks are listed below.
Enjoy the World Cup!
- World Cup Homepage
- Schedule of Play (.pdf)
- Connect with LSU Soccer: Twitter | Facebook
LSU Soccer’s World Cup Pick ‘Em Scoring Update
Final Scoring Table
1. Aidan Lee, 68
T2. Will Stafford, 56
T2. Emma Fletcher, 56
4. Brian Lee, 53
5. Lily Alfeld, 51
6. Kevin Dempsey, 49
7. Laura Lamberth, 47
T8. Debbie Hensley, 46
T8. Josh McReynolds, 46
10. Alex Arlitt, 44
T11. Travis Curson, 43
T11. Natalia Gomez-Junco, 43
13. Christyna Pitre, 42
14. Ella Williams, 40
15. Heather Magee, 38
16. Jake Most, 31
Round of 16 Qualifiers
|
A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
|
|
1st
|
 BRA |
 NED |
 COL |
 CRC |
 FRA |
 ARG |
 GER |
 BEL |
BRA, COL GER, FRA |
BRA GER |
NED def. BRA, 3-0 | GER def. ARG, 1-0 (ET) |
|
2nd
|
 MEX |
 CHI |
 GRE |
 URU |
 SUI |
 NGA |
 USA |
 ALG |
NED, CRC ARG, BEL |
NED ARG |
2014 World Cup Picks:
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Group
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
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H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
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Champion
|
|
 Brian Lee Head Coach |
1st
|
BRA |
 ESP |
COL |
 ENG |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, URU FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. ENG |
ARG def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
 CRO |
NED |
 CIV |
URU |
 ECU |
 BIH |
 POR |
 RUS |
ESP, ENG ARG, BEL |
ENG ARG |
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| Brian Lee: “I’m dreaming of Stevie G riding off into the sunset after inspiring England to a World Cup trophy, but my mind says the Argentine collection of (Lionel) Messi, (Sergio) Aguero, (Gonzalo) Higuain and a deep-lying (Angel) di Maria streaking down the wing will overwhelm the field in the South American heat. Messi cements his status as one of the best ever by making the World Cup his personal playground, ala Maradona in ’86, while di Maria breaks out as one of the very best in the world this summer in Brazil.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
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 Debbie Hensley Assistant Coach |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
 ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, COL FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
ARG def. GER |
BRA def. ESP |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
CHI |
CIV |
ENG |
ECU |
NGA |
POR |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, BEL |
ESP ARG |
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| Debbie Hensley: “It’s hard to beat Brazil in general, but at home, it will be near impossible.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
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Champion
|
||
 Kevin Dempsey Assistant Coach |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ENG |
FRA |
ARG |
POR |
BEL |
BRA, ITA FRA, POR |
BRA FRA |
ESP def. FRA |
ARG def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
MEX |
NED |
CIV |
ITA |
SUI |
BIH |
GER |
RUS |
ESP, ENG ARG, BEL |
ESP ARG |
|||
| Kevin Dempsey: “Argentina have the best front line in the world at the moment with (Lionel) Messi, (Sergio) Aguero, (Angel) di Maria, etc.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Laura Lamberth Dir. of Operations |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, COL FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
ARG def. GER |
BRA def. ESP |
|
2nd
|
MEX |
CHI |
 JPN |
URU |
SUI |
BIH |
POR |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, POR |
ESP ARG |
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| Laura Lamberth: “Brazil’s home field statistics say it all. Undefeated at home for the past 12 years. They have young rising stars that will help contribute to an already solid team.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Josh McReynolds Graduate Assistant |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ENG |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, ITA NGA, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. ARG |
BRA def. ESP |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
CHI |
CIV |
ITA |
SUI |
NGA |
USA |
RUS |
ESP, ENG ARG, BEL |
ESP ARG |
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| Josh McReynolds: “No team from Europe has ever won a World Cup hosted in South America. Germany has had a number of notable injuries. Spain is aging. Messi and Argentina have looked lackluster recently. With the players at their disposal, and their whole country behind them, I can’t see anyone else lifting the trophy besides Brazil.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
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||
 Travis Curson Manager |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, COL FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. BEL |
BRA def. ESP |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
NED |
CIV |
ENG |
SUI |
BIH |
USA |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, BEL |
ESP BEL |
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| Travis Curson: “I chose Brazil first because they are the host team and they’ve won it five times before. Also, Neymar has a lot more experience coming into this World Cup, and with the immense experience and talent Brazil has in defense, I believe they can absorb any attack and counter with skill to win it all.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
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 Will Stafford Associate SID |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, URU FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. ESP |
ARG def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
MEX |
NED |
JPN |
URU |
ECU |
BIH |
POR |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, BEL |
ESP ARG |
|||
| Will Stafford: “Lionel Messi. Sergio Aguero. Angel di Maria. Gonzalo Higuain. Argentina have the best front line in world football, and that firepower will lead the Argentines to the World Cup. No European team has ever won a World Cup in South America, and I believe Argentina will defeat Brazil in the final.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Alex Arlitt Midfielder Houston, Texas |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
POR |
RUS |
BRA, COL FRA, POR |
BRA POR |
ARG def. POR |
BRA def. ITA |
|
2nd
|
MEX |
CHI |
GRE |
URU |
SUI |
BIH |
GER |
BEL |
ESP, ITA ARG, GER |
ITA ARG |
|||
| Alex Arlitt: “A lot of people on my summer team don’t like them (Brazil), so now I want them to win. I think playing in their home country will also give them an edge.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Natalia Gomez-Junco Midfielder Monterrey, Mexico |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, ENG FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. ARG |
BRA def. ESP |
|
2nd
|
MEX |
NED |
GRE |
ENG |
ECU |
BIH |
POR |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, POR |
ESP ARG |
|||
| Natalia Gomez-Junco: “Brazil will win the World Cup because they have a very talented, dynamic and world-class roster. They are also playing at home, which will favor them because they are playing with the whole country cheering for them and they’re playing in weather they are used to. Besides, statistics show that when playing at home, most countries reach the farthest stage they have in their history.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
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Champion
|
||
 Heather Magee Midfielder Colleyville, Texas |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ENG |
ECU |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, COL ECU, GER |
BRA GER |
BEL def. GER |
ESP def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
NED |
GRE |
URU |
FRA |
BIH |
POR |
 KOR |
ESP, ENG FRA, BEL |
ESP BEL |
|||
| Heather Magee: “I chose Spain because I feel they are the team with the most talent, best team dynamic and are not suffering from numerous injuries. I’ve always liked the way Spain play with their possession-minded attack and quick skill. I also have a love for the team ever since their World Cup in 2010 because that was the year my club team went to the national championship and won. It was as if Spain and our team were both on the same journey to that championship game, and it was fun to watch the players and learn from them. VIVA ESPANA!” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
|
C
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D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Emma Fletcher Midfielder Victoria, B.C., Canada |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
CIV |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, URU FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. ESP |
ARG def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
NED |
GRE |
URU |
SUI |
NGA |
POR |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, POR |
ESP ARG |
|||
| Emma Fletcher: “I don’t really have any reasons (for picking Argentina), though it’s just a gut feeling. In my other pools, I put Brazil and I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
|
C
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D
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E
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F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Lily Alfeld Goalkeeper Christchurch, New Zealand |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
URU |
SUI |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, URU AUI, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. ESP |
ARG def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
NED |
JPN |
ENG |
FRA |
BIH |
POR |
RUS |
ESP, ENG ARG, BEL |
ESP ARG |
|||
| Lily Alfeld: “The Argentinian team look strong, and boast the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero. I predict Brazil, who are probably the tournament favorite, will meet Argentina in the final, but I think the pressure of a home World Cup may get to them and Argentina will come out on top.” | |||||||||||||
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
Quarterfinalists
|
Semifinalists
|
3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Christyna Pitre Midfielder Austin, Texas |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
URU |
SUI |
BIH |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, ITA ARG, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. FRA |
BRA def. ESP |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
CHI |
GRE |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
USA |
RUS |
ESP, GRE FRA, BEL |
ESP FRA |
|||
| Christyna Pitre: “I believe Brazil will win the World Cup because of the of the amazing support by their country. The atmosphere at every single World Cup game this summer will be crazy, but it will be off the charts at Brazil’s games. I also believe that this will help their already talented roster of players win the cup.” | |||||||||||||
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A
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B
|
C
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D
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E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Ella Williams Defender Leatherhead, England |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
COL |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, ENG FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
ESP def. GER |
BRA def. BEL |
|
2nd
|
MEX |
NED |
CIV |
ENG |
ECU |
NGA |
 GHA |
RUS |
ESP, ITA ARG, BEL |
ESP BEL |
|||
|
Ella Williams: “Brazil will win the World Cup because the talent in their team is far greater than most, if not all the teams. With the home-field advantage, I think their superstar players like Neymar, Oscar and Thiago Silva will really prosper from the big occasion and dominate any players they play against.” Special Guest Pickers
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A
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B
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C
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D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
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Quarterfinalists
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Semifinalists
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3rd Place
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Champion
|
||
 Aidan Lee Head Coach’s Son |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
CIV |
ITA |
FRA |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, CIV FRA, GER |
BRA GER |
ESP def. BRA |
ARG def. GER |
|
2nd
|
 CMR |
NED |
GRE |
URU |
 HON |
NGA |
POR |
KOR |
ESP, ITA ARG, BEL |
ESP ARG |
|||
| Aidan Lee: “I picked Argentina to win the World Cup because (Angel) di Maria, (Lionel) Messi, and (Sergio) Aguero are too strong for defenders to defend. (Gonzalo) Higuain is also good in the attack.” | |||||||||||||
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
Quarterfinalists
|
Semifinalists
|
3rd Place
|
Champion
|
||
 Jake Most Former Student SID UK Media Relations Asst. LSU Lacrosse All-Time Leading Scorer |
1st
|
BRA |
ESP |
CIV |
URU |
SUI |
ARG |
GER |
BEL |
BRA, ITA SUI, GER |
BRA GER |
GER def. USA |
ESP def. BRA |
|
2nd
|
CRO |
NED |
JPN |
ITA |
ECU |
BIH |
USA |
KOR |
ESP, URU ARG, USA |
ESP USA |
|||
| Jake Most: “The 2014 World Cup is the host nation’s to lose, but the Selecao will lose just as they did when they hosted in 1950. Brazil has won each of the past three Confederations Cups, but in 2006 and 2010 the men in canary yellow shirts then flamed out of the World Cup. I expect the same to happen this year, largely because unlike in 2013, Spain will be ready for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s tactics. Add to that the addition of a true and top-class striker in Diego Costa, the ever-versatile Cesc Fabregas ready for an enhanced role, and the corps of Xavi, Iniesta, Ramsey and Casillas playing with enhanced urgency. I’m picking La Roja to raise the trophy on July 13.” | |||||||||||||
World Cup Groups:
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
Brazil |
Spain |
Columbia |
Uruguay |
Switzerland |
Argentina |
Germany |
Belgium |
Croatia |
Netherlands |
Greece |
Costa Rica |
Ecuador |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Portugal |
Algeria |
Mexico |
Chile |
Cote d’Ivoire |
England |
France |
 Iran |
Ghana |
Russia |
Cameroon |
 Australia |
Japan |
Italy |
Honduras |
Nigeria |
USA |
Korea Republic |