Anyone who thinks the US will go through is smoking crack. Look at who the players play for: no real international power club.

They're a dark horse - like I already said. They aren't getting the press, Ronaldo himself isn't getting the press. And most casual fans would think Portugal has only one good player. That's a dark horse - they could make a run that will surprise casual fans, insiders know they will make a run.

Uruguay? Suarez is on the cover of SI and talk of how they beat Brazil last time in Brazil is common. I completely disagree with your last sentence.

They're getting zero respect or coverage; it's just Uruguay and Belgium.

Because all you read about is Ronaldo; Coentrao, Pepe and Nani all play for Champions League teams too. No one knows anything about Portugal other than Ronaldo; read the previews and see for yourself. They took Spain to penalties in 2012!

Portugal is definitely a dark horse; classic definition of one. They will win, I predict.

I agree. Ronaldo has been in some big games, the Euro final and semifinal and thw WC semifinal.

You're trying awfully hard, fanboy, but like I said, I don't like him. So you can go fuck off now; you won't change my mind.

He's won 3 and the award just started in 2010 so calm down. I don't like him; like I said the refs coddle him.

You're not going to talk me out of my opinion and there's plenty of people who think he's overrated so your imagination is poor.

Does not necessarily follow. I love soccer.

The reason Messi is underrated is he gets a lot of cheap fouls called to his benefit. I find him very hard to like.

The games I'm planning to watch are England-Italy; Brazil-Cameroon; all the group G ones.

Quite a few of the WC groups don't have any interest for me at all. C, E, F, and H - half the groups are totally boring.

We tell kids, "it gets better." Then they see us reading teen lit, watching talent shows, and this site refers to the "secret high school we all live in." Why should they believe us? It's fine to read YA lit, but adulthood is a superior state of being. Sorry, it just is.

I disagree because Argentina and Brazil are rivals and it's held in Brazil, so while it's still their own continent it's not a true home field advantage. One reason I like Portugal is Ronaldo draws so much attention but Coentrao, Pepe, and Nani are all kicking ass. however Messi obviously is a potential for a…

Yep, Germany 1st, Portugal 2nd in group G.

Hmm, well expectations are always high. Spain was the undisputed king and that game was a showcase of the kings being unceremoniously dumped.

Brazil manhandled Spain; it was a slaughter. I love the intimidation factor in WC games, that will decide it.

Really? Awesome.