WORLD CUP Q+A, HERCULEZ GOMEZ

Thursday, June 29, 2006 | 7:44 a.m.

There's good news and bad news in the soccer-mad life of Las Vegas native and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Herculez Gomez.

First, his "Brazilian problem" was halved this week, when the Galaxy waived Marcelo Saragosa. Since the World Cup began, Gomez had been engaging in constant verbal jousting with Saragosa and Paulo Nagamura about Brazil's lack of style.

(Actually, Gomez never minds a good soccer debate and he got along fine with Saragosa. Hey, we have to spice this up some way.)

Worse, he has slipped to fifth in the Galaxy's World Cup pool, which he organized. For the Sun, none of his predicted quarterfinal matches materialized. Defender and Gomez roommate Troy Roberts now leads that pool.

"But it's close," Gomez said. "The top 10 are separated by 6 points. And now every game is worth 3 points. It's still anyone's game."

What's your main thought about the tournament so far?

That the referees are ruining the game. It's embarrassing. Something needs to be done. You only see the World Cup once every four years, and maybe you'll be lucky to see a player in his prime. Now, these great players have to walk on eggshells. The referees are throwing out yellow cards like they're Vegas fliers. It's ridiculous.

It's taking away from the creativity, the aggressiveness of teams, their willingness to take chances. I feel bad for people who are watching this for the first time. They assume this is what soccer is all about. It's a shame. Other than that, there are still good teams playing each other.

How about the Holland-Argentina whistle-fest?

Unbelievable. I don't think there's ever been a match like that in the history of the World Cup. Somebody should have taken a picture of Deco sitting there with those two Dutch players. All had been red-carded, and they were side-by-side. Ridiculous. It ruined what could have been a good game.

Give us some insight about English midfielder and captain David Beckham. He takes tremendous heat, mostly from Brits, yet who is better at corner and free kicks, and crosses?

I think he's the best on dead balls, period. Nobody hits it like him, with that precision, that pace and that purpose. He takes a lot of (heat) because a lot of people don't feel he's the type of guy who's worthy of being the English skipper. I can see that a little, too. He's Hollywood. Not enough grit. But nobody knows what's going on in the locker room, what type of guy he is. Is he a motivator? Does he get into guys' faces, getting the best out of players? That's the thing people don't really know. Roy Keane, that's a captain. You don't even want to mess with that guy. Alan Shearer would get into your face. It's almost like (Beckham) represents the team, as captain. I don't know if that's the way (the Brits) want to be represented.

Have you been sending Ronaldo any text messages or old-fashioned telegrams? You said he'd eventually shine, and he has scored three times in Brazil's last two games.

Something's worked. He's found a pace, but I think he has a ways to go. I predicted he'd be the leading scorer, so I want to see it. I still think he isn't there. He's now the Cup's all-time leading scorer, with 15 goals. Amazing, in and of itself. That's incredible. It doesn't matter what I or what anyone else says. He has the last laugh.

We've asked you before, but don't you think Brazil is just warming up?

I'll tell you what, Ghana did very well. Ghana had that game. They were playing way better than Brazil. You didn't know which team was which. But in the last third of that game, Brazil showed why it's the defending world champion. Their game with Argentina will be very interesting. Like (ESPN analyst Marcelo) Balboa said, they play to their opponent's ability, down to their opponent. When they play Croatia, they play like Croatia. I'll like to see them play great teams and see if they can rise to it.

Let's cut to the quarterfinals. How about Italy-Ukraine?

I'd like my crystal ball to say Ukraine, but it's saying Italy. I don't think it'll be penalty kicks. But I do think it'll be a close game, with Italy on top. But my heart is with Ukraine.

Germany-Argentina?

Here we go! Wow. I'd like to say Argentina. And I will. I think Argentina will pull off what would be, for Germany, an upset. I know I predicted Germany winning the whole thing, but Argentina is playing so well right now. If (Lionel) Messi gets a chance (to play), good luck. That kid changes it. There's no fifth gear with him; it's first to eighth.

England-Portugal?

I'll give it to England. The main reason? They're not missing three starters (like Portugal). This will be about defense, and England is more of a defensive team. It's important for them to maintain shutouts. (The Brits have shut out three of four World Cup foes.)

Brazil-France?

France, by beating Spain, caused a big shift in the first 10 positions of our pool. I think France is picking it up. Overall, I don't think they have the personnel to keep up with Brazil. The Brazilians haven't been tested that much. Still, France is up there in age. I don't think they're as deep as they'd like to be. I have to give it to Brazil.