Now that it's over, how memorable was WC 2010?  My first impression was that it was not a particularly great WC:  Spain was favored by most to win.  On the other hand, the fall in the first round of the previous champs and runner-ups was clearly surprising.

I was particularly surprised, and even saddened, at the complete implosion of the French.   Now, I'm not a fan of the French:  I think that their 1998 championship was rigged; I think they demonstrated their true worth when they were eliminated in the first round in 2002; yet somehow they blundered into the finals in 2006--kind of like the moused that roared... So despite all of my francophobia, I felt a twinge of regret when France just imploded--I wanted to see them crushed by the opposition; not destroyed within.

The other surprising thing for me was the inability of the big South American teams to move beyond the quarter finals.  Argentina, though the darling of the media, had major problems in just qualifying--so it was just a matter of time for them... Brazil's team looked strong, but did not look Brazilian--just another strong team but lacking that essential Brazilian character... Netherlands paid them back for their penalty shoot out loss...

Uruguay, however, was a great surprise.  Uruguay always has huge potential... this time they lived up to it.  GO URUGUAY!  

Asian soccer is clearly on the rise.  South Korea always has a good technical team and its athletes are in tip top physical form.  The Koreans played very well and have every reason to feel proud of moving to the second round.  Was surprised me was Japan... they played very very good soccer.  I always thought that the Japanese were grossly overrated--not this time.  They proved themselves to be a powerful team--I expect Japanese soccer to get better and better... Well done!

African soccer has a way to go though.  I believe that it was Alexi Lalas who said that the traditional distinctions between world class teams and everyone else no longer applies to the degree it once did--the best players in the smaller teams all play in Europe with the same players that play for Germany, Netherlands, England, Italy, etc.  While this may be true, when the players play for their national squads the teamwork is not there.  Ivory Coast is a good example of this.  On the other hand, Ghana is clearly the best team in Africa and other African countries need to learn from Ghana's experience in this regard. 

Finally, and most importantly, what about the US?  I looked forward to seeing the US compete in this World Cup because they had done so well in the Confederations Cup last year.  However, I was disappointed that we did not live up to our potential.  We play well, have good players, but unlike Spain we do not integrate well.  We are physical like the Dutch and Germans but we lack that quality that differentiates the good from the great.  Moreover, we have serious lapses in defense that opens us to early goals.  Once?  It happens!  Twice? We have problems.  If American soccer is to rise beyond its current plateau, we need to work on our squad now. First, we need to hire Gus Hiddink, if not as manager, then as a consultant, to really evaluate our playing and determine a get better strategy.  Korean soccer greatly improved as a result of what Hiddink did with the squad.  This is what US soccer needs--a really great expert to point out how and where we can improve and then do it.

Well, these are my thoughts--no better or worse than anyone elses.  I am open to other views.

Horrible Refreeing, big teams and players failing to even perform at an acceptable level, and the vuvuzelas.

Spain won the World Cup by scoring 8 goals in 7 games - which is the lowest in history. That pretty much sums up the series.

The only good memories if the World Cup are Germany's jevuniated youth team, USA's never die attitude, Uruguay and the sensational Diego Forlan, Asian teams doing their level best etc.

But it was a horrible performances from the soccer giants including Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, France and FIFA too.

South Africa is the true winner of the CUP and deserves some kudos for organizing it the way it did.

Agree, specially with the comment regarding the "super star" players--they were not a factor in this WC. Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka, Rooney -- NADA.  At least poor Fernando Torres had an excuse:  Knee surgery in April.  I felt sorry for him; he is a lion but was just hobbling around ... at lest he assisted with the goal against the Netherlands. 

On the other hand, it was great to see some other players in the World stage really shine forth:  Forlan and Suarez of Uruguay; David Villa of Spain; Wesley Sneijder of Netherlands; Thomas Mueller of Germany; Tulio of Japan; Hamsik of Slovakia; and so many others.

And some true masters now shine:  Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany has really commanded the team.  He is a worthy successor to the legacy left by Beckenbauer.  I hope he rises to the occassion always and doesn't allow his mouth to run ahead of his brain.  Andres Iniesta and Xabi of Spain = WOW!!! What can you say:  the best midfield combination I have ever had the pleasure of watching--and they play for my favorite team of all, BARCELONA!!!  Domestically:  GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!!

Finally, the Italian team showed that old lions cannot possibly compete at this level with young lions.  Though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak...

Any thoughts on the goalkeepers besides AWESOME St. Iker and the screwup of Robert Green?