WORLD CUP Q+A, HERCULEZ GOMEZ

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 | 7:19 a.m.

Zinedine Zidane left an indelible mark on the 2006 World Cup - and on his career - when he thrust his head into the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi during the championship match in Berlin on Sunday.

The French midfielder led his nation to its first World Cup championship in 1998. He was voted the best European player in 50 years in a UEFA Golden Jubilee poll in 2004.

"You never know what goes on in a player's head. Between Zidane and Materazzi, who knows what was said that made him flip his lid in his last international game, the championship game?" Las Vegas native Herculez Gomez said as he got ready to train with his Los Angeles Galaxy teammates at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Before Monday's practice, Herculez had been talking on the cell phone with his father, Manuel, about - who else? - Zidane.

"He had a chance to do something special, something few players have done" by winning a second World Cup championship, Herculez said. "Why ruin it or pick that way to go out? It was a shame. He's a legend, one of the greatest players in my time."

For the past month, Herculez has been the Sun's World Cup expert. His impressive knowledge of international coaches, players and strategies, and his ties to the city made the Las Vegas High graduate an obvious choice. He graciously provided his insights throughout the tournament - while keeping up his schedule as a professional soccer player.

Before the tournament started, he tried to pick all 64 games - a thankless and impossible task. Some of his picks looked brilliant - like Ghana as a surprise winner in group play. He also predicted Italy would be the most disappointing side in the tournament. Oops!

Last week, he picked France to defeat Italy in the final.

"Yeah, nobody can predict the World Cup," he said. "You can't predict every single game, but you're bound to get lucky. Soccer's a great sport. That's why I love it any team, any day.

"And nobody would have predicted that that's how Zizou (Zidane's nickname) would have bowed out."

Any other thoughts about Zidane and Materazzi?

I've had everything said to me and done to me. I've lost my temper, at times. But if you're in the biggest game in your sport, in your life and career, why just ruin it over words? Had Zidane not lost his cool and France won, he could have picked up that trophy, then said whatever he wanted to Materazzi and had the last laugh. Those shots of him getting that red card and then exiting down that staircase with the FIFA World Cup trophy in the foreground are still in my mind. That was sad.

Azzurri fans, in e-mails, phone calls and in person, wanted me to remind you that you picked Italy to go 0-3 in Group E. What say you?

I didn't see Italy winning it all, that's for sure. What I did see was Ghana. That was a great team. I'm glad I called that one.

How about German striker Lukas Podolski?

I didn't see him being a major factor for Germany. He plays in the German second division, in Munich, but he was a joy to watch.

I wouldn't have guessed that the criticism would have been that hard. Throughout the tournament, I think that affected them.

All in all, it was a great tournament to watch. I enjoyed the surprises. I'm still a kid at heart. I want to see the underdog win games, and I think this tournament had a lot of them.

Other memories?

Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky's goal versus the U.S. And the bomb that German defender Philipp Lahm hit versus Costa Rica, the first goal of the tournament. There were great goals, overall.

And the fans?

It was so refreshing to hear fans cheer good defensive plays and players, and good combinations. It was so nice to see educated soccer fans. And not only European fans. Americans were cheering the U.S. when they made good defensive plays or advanced the play.

What do you recommend for those of us who will have World Cup withdrawal for 3 years, 11 months?

I recommend the Copa America (in Venezuela in 2007) and the Euro Cup (in Austria and Switzerland in 2008). There will be plenty of games to go around.