Handicapping the World Cup

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 | 7:50 a.m.

Las Vegas native Herculez Gomez took a break Friday afternoon from his new X-Box 360 video-game console, on which he's inserted himself lately alongside superstar Ronaldinho for FC Barcelona in the newest FIFA game, to digest the World Cup group draws.

Those groups were picked Friday in Leipzig, Germany, and the United States wound up in Group E with Italy, Ghana and the Czech Republic. The top two teams in each of the eight groups advance to the knock-out stage.

Gomez, 23, played at Las Vegas High and helped the Los Angeles Galaxy win the MLS Cup championship this season. He is on a reserve list for the U.S. national team, which will play a host of friendlies over the next few months.

He and Galaxy teammate Joseph Ngwenya wage constant battle on that X-Box machine and quiz each other nonstop about players and teams from around the globe.

After looking over the draw for a few hours, Group C made the biggest impression on Gomez.

"Whoa," Gomez said by phone from his Los Angeles home. "That's a good one."

Argentina is the seeded team in Group C, and Holland, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro round out Gomez's personal Group of Death.

"It's a group of stars," he said. "Mateja Kezman of Serbia and Montenegro (and Atletico Madrid) is someone I'd watch out for, same for Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast (and Chelsea).

"I've been a huge Argentina fan since their 1978 World Cup victory over Holland (in Buenos Aires), but they've been known to let their fans down in big games. Argentina-Holland (June 21 in Frankfurt) should be an amazing game."

The rest of Gomez's observations:

GROUP A: Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

It couldn't have gotten better for Germany. Definitely, in this competition, there are no slouches. But playing at home, before their great fans, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't come out of this group.

GROUP B: England, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden

England should come out on top of this group. I give the edge to them, come crunch time. They've always performed, and I always enjoy watching them. I like Sweden, too. Those are honest, hard-working teams that play to their strengths.

GROUP C: Argentina; Ivory Coast; Serbia & Montenegro; Holland

Star power. This group is just loaded. In the World Cup, you have stars wherever you go. But the amount of stars Argentina and Holland have is unbelievable. They could fill two national teams.

GROUP D: Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal

I think Mexico and Portugal should advance. Portugal has one of my all-time favorites, in Cristiano Ronaldo (of Manchester United). I'd give the top of the group to Mexico. They're a little more stable, which Portugal has lacked.

GROUP E: Italy, Ghana, United States, Czech Republic

This could be tied for the Group of Death. Ghana will surprise some people, and the Czech Republic is always strong. They've gained respect from the rest of the world. Wow. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Czechs and Americans advance. Italy, although they're very disciplined, I just don't see doing well. The Czechs and U.S. have the firepower.

GROUP F: Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan

Brazil's the favorite. And Croatia's always there, but I don't remember one striker since Davor Suker, one clear-cut goal scorer. I think most of their players are past their prime, but I still have to give it to Brazil and Croatia. Look out for Harry Kewell, an awesome midfielder for Australia.

GROUP G: France, Switzerland, South Korea, Togo

Ask someone about Togo and they'll say, "Yeah, great sandwiches." They're just lucky to be there, but it's great for a country to get their first World Cup experience. Have to give this to France, with Zinedine Zidane returning to the national team. And if I don't also pick South Korea, an assistant coach of mine will kill me.

GROUP H: Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

I hope I don't eat my words, but I hope Ukraine comes out on top. They have one of my favorite players, Sheva (Andriy Shevchenko). They play a disciplined style and let guys on top do their thing. It should be Spain and Ukraine. The other two are along for the ride.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or miech@lasvegassun.com