Americas Report Card

I am an American. From Arctic Canada to Punta Arenas, Argentina, I likes me some Americas. I was born in the Americas and did all of my schooling in (North and South) America. Don’t get me wrong—I love and respect and have traveled to Europe and Asia and Africa, and even have much respect for the Socceroos from down under (congrats on the comeback!). But I thought it was time to take a look at how the American teams have done so far in this World Cup.

An early report card versus conventional wisdom for the teams of the Americas:

Costa Rica
Opponent: Germany
Conventional wisdom: Loss
Reality: Loss
Grade: C. Two goals were nice, but giving up four was potentially devastating.

Ecuador
Opponent: Poland
Conventional wisdom: Loss
Reality: Win
Grade: A-. A two-goal win over a European foe at sea level was more that most experts thought could happen.

Paraguay
Opponent: England
Conventional wisdom: Loss
Reality: Loss
Grade: C. Not an unexpected result, but the Paraguayans failed to capitalize on a poor England performance.

Trinidad & Tobago
Opponent: Sweden
Conventional wisdom: Loss
Reality: Draw
Grade: A. Few expected the islanders to nick a point against Sweden, but the Soca Warriors helped produce one of the best 0-0 draws of all time.

Argentina
Opponent: Ivory Coast
Conventional wisdom: Win
Reality: Win
Grade: A-. Gave up a goal to Chelsea man Didier Drogba, but looked very potent on offense. And they didn’t even start Messi or Tevez. Whoa.

Mexico
Opponent: Iran
Conventional wisdom: Win
Reality: Win
Grade: B+. El Tri managed to record a convincing win, although Iran didn’t put up the fight that I thought they might.

USA
Opponent: Czech Republic
Conventional wisdom: Loss
Reality: (Big) loss.
Grade: D. The most disappointing of the American teams. Never in the game, never threatened.

Brazil
Opponent: Croatia
Conventional wisdom: Win
Reality: Win
Grade: B. Hard to give a lower grade for a win, but with the exception of Kaka’s goal and Robinho’s late-game efforts, the samba boys looked less than dynamic.

So in sum, only Ecuador and Trinidad & Tobago upset the conventional wisdom. And of course, Argentina and Brazil are as usual the Americas’ best hopes for semi-final spots.