Well, We are mere hours away from the biggest, most interesting football doubleheader I can ever remember. Tonight and tomorrow morning, to be exact, Brazil vs. England (11:25pm local time) and USA vs. Germany (4:25am local time) in one half of the quarterfinal matchups. It should be a night of soccer like no other.

I have a Very strong feeling that the England-Brazil winner will take the whole thing. The winner of that game takes on the Senegal-Turkey winner in the semi's, and I just Don't see a Senegal or Turkey in the final (although the way this tournament has gone...).

England has played great defense, but at times it seems like their attack isn't quite working right. Of course, they went out and smacked around a very good Denmark side, 3-0... but two of those goals were VERY stoppable by the Danish keeper. Whatever the case, they did largely dominate that game.

Brazil, it seems, could score 4 goals on Anyone... and they could also give up 2 to Anyone. Because of their wide-open play, they leave themselves vulnerable to a disciplined team like England that can play strong defense without sacrificing too much of their attack. But I still think Brazil prevails, 2-1.

The word is that this is Germany's worst World Cup team Ever... although I would insist that is a fantastic over-statement. I think one thing the overly-negative European football press isn't understanding is that while Germany's side may lack the experience and seasoning of many World Cup and Euro successes, they are still talented, and well, German. The level of individual flair and creativity may be a bit lower, but they are still as good a Team as anyone out there.

I expect Bruce Arena to line up team USA much the same as the Mexico game, with the 3-4-1-2. A back line of (L to R) Frankie Hedjuk or Greg Berhalter, Eddie Pope, and Tony Sanneh. Four "Defensive" midfielders with DaMarcus Beasely (but perhaps Eddie Lewis again) on the left, Pablo Mastreoni (I would be Shocked if he isn't in the lineup) and John O'Brien in the middle, and Claudio Reyna out right. Up front should be Landon Donovan in the supporting, playmaking, attacking central midfielder role (how many times do I need to say this is his spot on the U.S. team for most of the next decade) behind a striker duo of Brian McBride and Josh Wolff or Clint Mathis. That is our best side, right there, and even though it looks defensive on paper, having O'Brien, Beasely, and Reyna making forward runs is a potent attack. The first man off the bench, in any situattion, should be Earnie Stewart, who has comtributed more to the USA effort than any other man since '94. Expect to see him in the 55-60th minute for any of the midfielders or forwards (as well as Donovan to be pushed into a stiker role).

I'm excited. I don't really know If I expect U.S. to win, but I will say I don't expect U.S. to get run off the field by Germany. I think if the the U.S. plays disiplined and counter-attack minded, and doesn't concede the middle third like they did a bit too much against Mexico, we Can win. The question is, Will we.