Q+A: HERCULEZ GOMEZ

Friday, June 16, 2006 | 7:24 a.m.

As the World Cup heated up this week, Herculez Gomez cooled down in an ice tub after a training session with the Los Angeles Galaxy. When Germany scored late to beat Poland, he yelled and the rest of the players in the locker room exploded.

Then they realized they had all picked the Germans to beat the Poles in their team pool.

"So it didn't matter," said Gomez, laughing. He's leading the pool that he organized, with Guillermo Gonzalez and Marc Burch on his heels, so the Las Vegas native has more reason to chuckle.

We checked in with our soccer expert for a review of highlights and lowlights that have taken place in Germany, and for a preview of the next few days of action. Gomez will periodically for Sun readers offer his insight about the quadrennial tournament.

Of the first 19 matches, he correctly picked the outcome of 10. Considering draws, that's impressive. Don't think so? Try it. In our World Cup preview, he correctly called that 1-0 victory by Germany over Poland.

He weighed in about Mexico's scintillating opener, a seemingly samba-less Brazil side and that icy performance by the Americans.

What about that 3-0 loss by the red, white and blue?

Soccer is a cruel sport. It wasn't so much that the U.S. had a bad game. The Czechs were on their game. The mistakes that the U.S. did make, the Czechs punished them for it.

For every second ball the Americans hit, the Czechs were there. There was no space. And they were organized in the back. They did their homework on the U.S. They knew not to give Landon Donovan space, and they knew DaMarcus Beasley wasn't playing in his natural position, on the left.

The U.S. played conservative and timid, almost too respectful. They'll have to go in there Saturday and make Italy feel the game can go either way. They can't just play 10 back and one up top, and hope to get to the 80th minute tied 0-0 and then get a goal. They have to go for it. They need two wins in the next two games to stick around. Italy knows that and will be ready.

What was most disturbing about coach Bruce Arena and his players?

That the U.S. all of a sudden pointed fingers at each other. That's never been their kind of thing. Arena points out Landon and Beasley, and Beasley points out Bruce's formations. It looks like France '98 all over again, which is a sad thing. All this pressure should be embraced.

How about Mexico's 3-1 victory against Iran?

Omar Bravo, who scored two goals, is my favorite player on the team. He's their one player I most play like, I think, so it was great to see him do well. What a dream come true for him. And defender Rafael Marquez was all over the place. Such a presence in the back. A true leader.

Unlike Portugal (in a 1-0 win against Angola), when Mexico got (its opponent) on the ropes they kept going at it. Portugal took its foot off the gas pedal. In the World Cup, you can't do that. I'll give the edge to Mexico (on Wednesday) against Portugal.

What about five-time champion Brazil?

I wasn't as impressed with their 1-0 victory over Croatia. I'm sure people expected Brazil to be doing their "joga bonito," typical all-out attack. But they did what they needed to do. They got the goal, got a result and got three points.

That's something to build on. Are they worthy of being branded as the World Cup favorite? No. But that's the way the World Cup is. You don't have to win beautiful all the time, you just have to win.

What did you think about British striker Wayne Rooney, who broke a bone in his right foot April 29, coming on in the 58th minute Thursday?

I've come off that injury, and I'll tell you what; two and a half, three months is not enough. It's been a month and a half for Rooney. You have to break scar tissue down, get strength in that bone for cutting but it gives them a mental edge. Whoever they face will have to keep Wayne Rooney in mind.

Who else caught your eye during the first week?

Arjen Robben of Holland. I'm really interested in how he responds to all the criticism he's getting after that 1-0 win over Serbia & Montenegro. He scored the goal, but he's been criticized as a ball hog by teammates. If you're feeling it and you're making a difference you almost have to go with that feeling.

How about Australia's stunning comeback in its 3-1 win against Japan? Who sticks out on the Socceroos?

Forward Mark Viduka. I don't think I've ever seen him hold the ball up top and make those back-heel passes in the box. He was a main reason why others were open. But I think they need time before they start contesting with Brazil, the Aussies' foe Sunday. If Australia can perform well and Brazil loses, I'd be all for it, though.

Who did you underestimate?

Spain. They've just never been that exciting of a team, for me. But I really enjoyed watching them this time around in their 4-0 victory over Ukraine. They have a lot of young, prominent players, like Fernando Torres. They put their all-time leading scorer, Raul, on the bench. Had to have been a tough decision, but it was the right one.

Can the Ukraine advance to the second round?

Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, who tied 2-2, played a good game, but they played each other. That's not like the Ivory Coast playing well against Argentina. I still feel Ukraine will go through.

Anything stand out about Brazil's tight 1-0 victory against Croatia?

Brazilian defender Luisao once played the ball and ran 40 yards up the field, into the box, and lost the ball. A better team than Croatia will take advantage of that and punish you. It works if you score. If not, big trouble.

So what of the Brazil-Germany final you predicted?

I really don't think either of those teams will make it now. Germany isn't looking as strong as I thought it would, even with Michael Ballack back. Good teams capitalize, and they didn't. I have the weirdest feeling that neither will get to the final.

Right now, there are about four or five teams I enjoy watching. Spain. Italy. The Czechs. They showed me they're strong. It's great. I love these surprises. I wish I could get every game right. But at the end of the day, I enjoy seeing underdogs do well.