As play begins in the World Cup, members of the Ballistic United Soccer Club – MLS NEXT coaches and BUSC staff members – begin their competition to find out who is the King of the Cup!
The scoring is as such: 5 points for each team that advances out of group play; 10 points per team for each team that makes it out of the Round of 16; 15 points for each quarterfinal winner; 20 points for a semifinal winner; and 25 points for predicting the World Cup Champion!
Scores will be posted upon the completion of each round!
Following are the picks of those participating! Good luck boys!
Jerry Losson (MLS NEXT Director of Coaching)
Teams advancing out of group play: A: Senegal, Netherlands; B: England, United States; C: Poland, Argentina; D: Denmark, France; E: Germany, Spain; F: Croatia, Belgium; G: Brazil, Switzerland; H: Portugal, South Korea.
Surprise of group play: Poland/United States: Poland-They were one of those teams’ people were just happy to qualify but they are winning the group over Argentina and kickstarting Messi’s run through to be a World Cup champion. USA-They are happy to be there, a bit young, their last camp and friendlies were less than convincing against average opponents and they’ve already planned their participation tour upon return to the US in January 2023
Who advances out of Round of 16: Netherlands, Argentina, Croatia, Portugal, Brazil, Germany, France, United States.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Brazil, France, Argentina, Portugal.
Semifinal winners: Brazil, Argentina.
World Champion: Argentina 1-0. The “Ronaldo or Messi” question will be answered because he will win the Golden Boot and propel his team to be the World Cup champion of Qatar.
Mike Nieto (BUSC board member)
Teams advancing out of Group play: Netherlands, United States, Argentina, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Uruguay, England, Senegal, France, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland.
Biggest surprise of group play: USA – A Star Is Born in Yunas Musah – The youngest of the young.
Who advances out of Round of 16: Netherlands, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, England, France, Belgium, Portugal.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Argentina, Brazil, France, Belgium.
Semifinals winners: Argentina, Belgium
World Champion: Argentina- Maradona can finally RIP. “Don’t write about him, don’t try to describe him, just watch him” (Pep G)
Tim Ryerson (BUSC General Manager)
Teams advancing out of Group play: A: Ecuador Netherlands; B: England, USA; C: Argentina, Mexico; D: France, Denmark; E: Germany, Japan; F: Belgium, Croatia; G: Brazil, Cameroon; H: Ghana, Uruguay
Biggest surprise out of group play? Japan coming out of group play.
Who advances out of the Round of 16: Netherlands, England, Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France, Brazil.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany.
Semifinal winners: Argentina, Germany.
World Champion: Germany.
Scott McMillin (BUSC President)
Teams advancing out of Group play: A: Netherlands, Ecuador; B: England, USA (but probably Wales); C: Argentina, Mexico; D: France, Denmark; E: Spain, Germany; F: Belgium, Croatia; G: Brazil, Switzerland; H: Portugal, Uruguay.
Biggest surprise out of group play? USA – Because I want them to.
Who advances out of Round of 16? Netherlands, England, Argentina, France, Germany, Brazil, France, Spain, Portugal.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Argentina, Brazil, France and Spain.
Semifinal winners: Argentina, France.
World Champion: Argentina – It’s time for Messi!
Eric Denton (MLS NEXT Coach)
Teams advancing out of Group play: A: Netherlands, Senegal; B: United States, England; C: Argentina, Poland; D: Denmark, France; E: Spain, Germany; F: Croatia, Belgium; G: Brazil, Serbia; H: Portugal, Uruguay.
Biggest surprise out of Group play: USA qualifies first in group and Mexico fails to advance. England are boring and don’t play to their talent but have proven that results matter most at international level – they’re like the Indiana Hoosiers of NCAA DI men’s soccer, they know how to win in the tournament. I see Group A being pretty even between US/England/Wales, they can each beat each other on a given day; Mexico is old and past it, missing key attacking pieces and are in a tough group to get results in.
Who advances out of Round of 16: Netherlands, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, United States, Denmark, Croatia, Portugal.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Argentina, Brazil, United States, Portugal.
Semifinals winners: Argentina, Portugal.
World Champion: Argentina – Because the soccer gods are romantic and just. They’re wily and mix street-smarts/know how with a greater sense of team then anytime since ’86. Messi (plus there’s no Higuain to miss a breakaway sitter in the final this time around) and El Flaco is exciting as heck and because, duh, lefties rule in Argentina folklore.
Brett Rosenberger (MLS NEXT coach)
Teams advancing out of group play: A: Netherlands, Ecuador; B: England, Iran; C: Argentina, Mexico; D: France, Denmark; E: Spain, Germany; F: Belgium, Croatia; G: Brazil, Switzerland; H: Portugal, Uruguay.
Biggest surprise from group play: Iran in/US out
Who advances out of Round of 16: England France, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Argentina.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Argentina, Brazil, France, Belgium.
Semifinals winners: Brazil, Belgium.
World Champion: Brazil – Brazil wins on surprising defensive strength after a long road to the finals for Belgium and a tired out offense that stuns early.
Brady Taylor (MLS NEXT coach)
Teams advancing out of group play: A: Netherlands, Qatar; B: England, United States; C: Argentina, Mexico; D: France, Denmark; E: Germany, Spain; F: Belgium, Canada; G: Brazil, Switzerland; H: Portugal, Uruguay.
Biggest surprise from group play: Canada beat Croatia to push themselves out of group stage.
Who advances out of Round of 16: United States, England, Germany, Brazil, France, Belgium, Portugal.
Who wins in quarterfinals: Argentina, Brazil, England, Belgium.
Semifinal winners: Brazil, England.
World Champion: Brazil win the World Cup with Neymar getting the golden boot for the tournament.
