Three weeks ago the World Cup started with a bang as Brazil had to come from behind to defeat Croatia 3-1, which provided a blueprint for the tournament. Plenty of goals have been scored, European sides have been sent home, and Tim Howard and Miguel Herrera have become global icons. Attacking soccer has replaced the defensive tendencies of past competitions and now only eight countries remain to lift the trophy on July 13. Soccer Banter spoke to six men's soccer college coaches to get their analysis and predictions on the quarterfinal matches.
France v Germany:
Kris Bertsch (Xavier University Associate Head Coach): Great match up. Will be decided by who takes advantage of their chances. Have been impressed with the French this World Cup, but the Germans know how to advance and will get through.
Eric Da Costa (Quinnipiac University Head Coach): A clash of traditional Giants. Deschamps made some tough calls in regards to his squad selection and FINALLY the French are drama free and playing well. This will likely be a great match, but the Germans have experience, their consistent and methodical play will shine through. Germany over France 2-1.
Antti Laitinen (University of Central Florida Assistant Coach): Germany over France on PKs. An even match-up without two x-factors (Ribery and Reus), and with great goalkeepers so very hard for either team to score. How can Germany possibly lose on PKs?
Jeff Rowland (University of Washington Assistant Coach): This is going to be the game of the tournament, but I believe Germany will prevail. Germany is the most talented, deepest, and fittest team in the tournament. Mueller will be the difference in this one. He will continue to be a menace on both sides of the ball and I believe he will find the back of the net again.
Brian Tompkins (Yale University Head Coach): Paul Pogba may be the only pure midfield playmaker left in the tournament and he could be the X-factor. He can dominate games on his own and also has the talent to get the best out of his teammates. France wins a close, combative game.
Matt Verni: (Syracuse University Assistant Coach): It's tough to pick against the pragmatic Germans, who have size, power, experience, and depth. However, I think France has been one of the most fluid teams in the WC and I really like each block...especially midfield with Pogba, Valbuena and Cabaye.
France v Germany:
Kris Bertsch (Xavier University Associate Head Coach): Great match up. Will be decided by who takes advantage of their chances. Have been impressed with the French this World Cup, but the Germans know how to advance and will get through.
Eric Da Costa (Quinnipiac University Head Coach): A clash of traditional Giants. Deschamps made some tough calls in regards to his squad selection and FINALLY the French are drama free and playing well. This will likely be a great match, but the Germans have experience, their consistent and methodical play will shine through. Germany over France 2-1.
Antti Laitinen (University of Central Florida Assistant Coach): Germany over France on PKs. An even match-up without two x-factors (Ribery and Reus), and with great goalkeepers so very hard for either team to score. How can Germany possibly lose on PKs?
Jeff Rowland (University of Washington Assistant Coach): This is going to be the game of the tournament, but I believe Germany will prevail. Germany is the most talented, deepest, and fittest team in the tournament. Mueller will be the difference in this one. He will continue to be a menace on both sides of the ball and I believe he will find the back of the net again.
Brian Tompkins (Yale University Head Coach): Paul Pogba may be the only pure midfield playmaker left in the tournament and he could be the X-factor. He can dominate games on his own and also has the talent to get the best out of his teammates. France wins a close, combative game.
Matt Verni: (Syracuse University Assistant Coach): It's tough to pick against the pragmatic Germans, who have size, power, experience, and depth. However, I think France has been one of the most fluid teams in the WC and I really like each block...especially midfield with Pogba, Valbuena and Cabaye.
Brazil v Colombia:
KB: Although Colombia has been playing better futbol this World Cup, everyone knows who the Golden Child plays for. Brazil will not play great, but will sneak into the semi's.
ED: Wow! A dream matchup. Both teams have shown that they are willing to go forward and sometimes with reckless abandon. This match has the potential to be a thriller and I hope it lives up to its billing. With dynamic stars on both sides, I'm expecting goals, but in the end the passion (pressure) of the home fans will get Brazil into the semis. 3-3 with Brazil advancing on penalties.
AL: Colombia over the hosts by a slim margin. Superior team spirit of a group that has nothing to lose will prevail over the average Brazilian squad struggling under enormous pressure.
JR: Brazil has not put together a convincing performance so far, but they will ride the home crowd to sneak by Colombia. David Luiz has been brilliant and that will continue. Oscar will pull the strings and help them advance.
BT: Colombia have been the darlings of the cup so far, but they came out of a weak group and have yet to be fully tested. The pressure of playing the hosts may prove too much for them. Although Brazil haven't wowed anybody yet, Hulk seems to be coming into form and Neymar looks like a man on a mission. Should be an exciting game and a win for Brazil.
MV: My second upset pick in a row, but Colombia has shown athleticism and an ability to score goals. Brazil is carrying the weight of the nation, hasn't played to their potential collectively, and are relying on too much on Neymar to get the goals.
KB: Although Colombia has been playing better futbol this World Cup, everyone knows who the Golden Child plays for. Brazil will not play great, but will sneak into the semi's.
ED: Wow! A dream matchup. Both teams have shown that they are willing to go forward and sometimes with reckless abandon. This match has the potential to be a thriller and I hope it lives up to its billing. With dynamic stars on both sides, I'm expecting goals, but in the end the passion (pressure) of the home fans will get Brazil into the semis. 3-3 with Brazil advancing on penalties.
AL: Colombia over the hosts by a slim margin. Superior team spirit of a group that has nothing to lose will prevail over the average Brazilian squad struggling under enormous pressure.
JR: Brazil has not put together a convincing performance so far, but they will ride the home crowd to sneak by Colombia. David Luiz has been brilliant and that will continue. Oscar will pull the strings and help them advance.
BT: Colombia have been the darlings of the cup so far, but they came out of a weak group and have yet to be fully tested. The pressure of playing the hosts may prove too much for them. Although Brazil haven't wowed anybody yet, Hulk seems to be coming into form and Neymar looks like a man on a mission. Should be an exciting game and a win for Brazil.
MV: My second upset pick in a row, but Colombia has shown athleticism and an ability to score goals. Brazil is carrying the weight of the nation, hasn't played to their potential collectively, and are relying on too much on Neymar to get the goals.
Argentina v Belgium:
KB: Have not been impressed with Argentina and thought playing them would have been a great match up for the United States in the Quarterfinals......However, it became evident early in that match vs. Belgium the Americans were in trouble. I'll go with Belgium in the upset.
ED: One word. MESSI. Belgium is young, talented, dynamic and dangerous. They can score from anywhere and by almost anyone, but they don't have Messi. Their inexperience showed against the US and if you give Messi the chance he will make you pay. I like this match, but at the end of the day Messi will be the difference. 2-1 Argentina.
AL: The Belgians will avenge the 1986 semi-final loss with the help of a loose defensive organization of the Argentinians.
JR: Like Brazil, Argentina has not put together a great game, but has found a way to win all four matches. Messi is carrying this team and believe he will provide a couple more moments of brilliance to get them to the semifinals.
BT: Argentina has a lot more to offer this tournament and this could be the game where they show their true capabilities. Belgium's exhausting exertions against the USA and their blunt finishing should result in a win for Argentina.
MV: Yikes, another upset! Give me Courtois and Kompany versus Di Santo and Rojo. Again I feel that Argentina is a collection of individuals, and what a collection, but Belgium has individual talent also. If Lukaku feels it now too, then look out.
KB: Have not been impressed with Argentina and thought playing them would have been a great match up for the United States in the Quarterfinals......However, it became evident early in that match vs. Belgium the Americans were in trouble. I'll go with Belgium in the upset.
ED: One word. MESSI. Belgium is young, talented, dynamic and dangerous. They can score from anywhere and by almost anyone, but they don't have Messi. Their inexperience showed against the US and if you give Messi the chance he will make you pay. I like this match, but at the end of the day Messi will be the difference. 2-1 Argentina.
AL: The Belgians will avenge the 1986 semi-final loss with the help of a loose defensive organization of the Argentinians.
JR: Like Brazil, Argentina has not put together a great game, but has found a way to win all four matches. Messi is carrying this team and believe he will provide a couple more moments of brilliance to get them to the semifinals.
BT: Argentina has a lot more to offer this tournament and this could be the game where they show their true capabilities. Belgium's exhausting exertions against the USA and their blunt finishing should result in a win for Argentina.
MV: Yikes, another upset! Give me Courtois and Kompany versus Di Santo and Rojo. Again I feel that Argentina is a collection of individuals, and what a collection, but Belgium has individual talent also. If Lukaku feels it now too, then look out.
Netherlands v Costa Rica:
KB: Even a broken koo-koo clock is right twice a day. But it's the wrong time of day for Costa Rica in this match. Holland wins, but Costa Rica will make them work for it.
ED: Anyone who has followed CONCACAF is not surprised by Costa Rica. The US struggled with this team and it took six inches of snow in Colorado to best them. Costa Rica has quality, but the Dutch have too many World Class players. The Netherlands look like a motivated side and will be too much for Costa Rica to handle. 2-0 Netherlands.
AL: The actively pressing Costa Ricans and their brilliant goalkeeper will take Holland to overtime, but the Dutch will eventually prevail by the virtue of a set-piece goal.
JR: My heart wants to pick the Ticos, but my mind says the Dutch have way too much fire power. Robben, van Persie, and company will be too much to handle.
BT: Big tournament experience will trump the CONCACAF Cinderella effect and the quality of Robben and van Persie will surely win the day. Netherlands win by two goals and Cinderella goes home.
MV: The Dutch have won as front runners and coming from behind. They seem in tune with each other and the game management by the coaching staff has been as good as we've seen in the WC. What idiot picks against Germany, Brazil, & Argentina? All I can say is that crazy things happen (Spain, Portugal, Italy) and the possibility of any outcome is a big reason why the World Cup is so compelling. It's been great so far and these matches may be the best yet!
KB: Even a broken koo-koo clock is right twice a day. But it's the wrong time of day for Costa Rica in this match. Holland wins, but Costa Rica will make them work for it.
ED: Anyone who has followed CONCACAF is not surprised by Costa Rica. The US struggled with this team and it took six inches of snow in Colorado to best them. Costa Rica has quality, but the Dutch have too many World Class players. The Netherlands look like a motivated side and will be too much for Costa Rica to handle. 2-0 Netherlands.
AL: The actively pressing Costa Ricans and their brilliant goalkeeper will take Holland to overtime, but the Dutch will eventually prevail by the virtue of a set-piece goal.
JR: My heart wants to pick the Ticos, but my mind says the Dutch have way too much fire power. Robben, van Persie, and company will be too much to handle.
BT: Big tournament experience will trump the CONCACAF Cinderella effect and the quality of Robben and van Persie will surely win the day. Netherlands win by two goals and Cinderella goes home.
MV: The Dutch have won as front runners and coming from behind. They seem in tune with each other and the game management by the coaching staff has been as good as we've seen in the WC. What idiot picks against Germany, Brazil, & Argentina? All I can say is that crazy things happen (Spain, Portugal, Italy) and the possibility of any outcome is a big reason why the World Cup is so compelling. It's been great so far and these matches may be the best yet!
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