The 2006 World Cup in Germany has come and gone, but it brought more than a few surprises to soccer spectators around the globe. Who could have foreseen Brazil failing to advance past the round of eight? Would the tournament have turned out differently had England's Michael Owen and the Czech Republic's Jan Koller not been felled by early injuries? And how is it that the only team against which the United States earned a point was eventual-champion Italy?
Five weeks ago, two experts of international soccer and members of the Red Bulls, Mark Lisi and Taylor Graham, looked into their crystal balls in our June 10 Gameday pamphlet and shared their World Cup predictions. Here were their responses at the time:
WHO WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP? (2 points)
ML: Germany TG: Brazil
WHO WILL BE THE RUNNER UP? (2 pts.)
ML: Italy TG: Germany
WHO WILL SCORE THE MOST GOALS IN THE TOURNEY? (2 pts. - ML)
ML: Miroslav Klose - Germany TG: Thierry Henry - France
WILL THE U.S. MAKE IT PAST THE GROUP STAGE? (2 pts. - ML)
ML: No TG: Yes, to the round of 16.
RESULT OF U.S. VS. CZECH REPUBLIC (1 pt.)
ML: 1-1 Draw TG: 1-1 Draw
RESULT OF U.S. VS. ITALY (1 pt. - TG)
ML: 2-1 Italy TG: 0-0 Draw
RESULT OF U.S. VS. GHANA (1 pt.)
ML: 2-2 Draw TG: 2-0 U.S.
WHO WILL SCORE THE MOST GOALS FOR THE U.S.? (1 pt.)
ML: Brian McBride TG: Brian McBride
WHO WILL BE THE SURPRISE TEAM TO ADVANCE OUT OF GROUP PLAY? (1 pt. - TG)
ML: Japan TG: The Socceroos! Australia
WHAT FAVORITE WILL NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE GROUP STAGE? (1 pt. - TG)
ML: USA/Croatia TG: Czech Republic
WHAT TEAM WILL HAVE THE LOWEST POINT TOTAL IN THE GROUP? (1 pt. - ML)
ML: Togo TG: Trinidad and Tobago
The time has come to review their predictions and crown the Red Bulls' true soccer guru.
Like a modern-day Nostradamus, Lisi selected Miroslav Klose of Germany as the tournament's Golden Boot winner. Also, only Lisi correctly named at least one of the participants in the tournament final, picking Italy as the runner-up. He proved prophetic in identifying Italy as "a disciplined and organized squad," as the Italians conceded only an own-goal and a penalty kick goal in seven matches.
Graham also made several selections worthy of recognition. He named the Czech Republic, ranked No. 2 in the world entering the tournament, as the favorite most likely to not advance from group play. The Socceroos of Australia, playing in just their second World Cup, were Graham's pick as a surprise team to make it to the round of 16. Australia did just that, garnering four points and placing second behind Brazil in Group F.
Nevertheless, after applying the carefully constructed point system to the players' responses, the Red Bulls have proclaimed Mark Lisi as the team's 2006 World Cup guru. Graham's demise came with his high expectations for the U.S. squad, a team that could not muster the 1-0-2 record that Graham predicted. Although Lisi did not correctly predict any of the Americans' three outcomes, he was right in saying the US would not advance from a challenging Group E.
Below is a look at the final points standings:
Total Points
Mark Lisi: 5
Taylor Graham: 3
