Prospects exciting for 2014

Published 12:12 am Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Last week we looked at the top storylines of 2013. This week it’s all about 2014. Here’s what to watch for in soccer in 2014.

2014 WORLD CUP

The world’s greatest sporting event kicks off on June 12 in Sao Paulo and runs through the July 13 final at the famed Estadio Maracana. The World Cup will undoubtedly dominate the soccer landscape in 2014.

Host Brazil will be eyeing its sixth World Cup title and will be among the favorites along with South American rival Argentina. No European nation has won a World Cup in the Western Hemisphere, which should only improve the chances for A Selecao.

The United States, drawn into one of the toughest groups, will have to contend with powerhouse Germany, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and long-time nemesis Ghana.

Advancing past group stage would be an accomplishment for the Americans, but any sort of run in the knockout rounds could send the U.S. into a soccer frenzy. The World Cup in Brazil could be the most-watched World Cup in the U.S. yet given that many games will kick off close to prime time.

Aside from the usual favorites (Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany), dark horses to watch include Chile, Belgium, Uruguay and South Korea.

With one of the best fields ever for a World Cup — there are no Cinderellas — the 2014 World Cup should make for exciting viewing, whether or not the U.S. gets out of the Group of Death.

OPEN EPL

The spring of 2014 is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining title chases (and relegation battles) in the Premier League era.

As of Monday, two games separated the top three teams with three more squads within two points of a top-four Champions League spot after the top seven sides all won this weekend.

League-leader Arsenal (48 points) and manager Arsene Wenger are seeking their first trophy in eight years, longer than any other Premier League manager has been with his club. Whether they can cope with the loss of Theo Walcott (also a blow to England in the World Cup), will play a large role in the battle for the top four spots.

Manchester City (47) and Chelsea (46) offer interesting foils for two money-spending sides. City boasts a fearsome attack force but can be profligate in defense; the Blues have developed a defensive tenacity but lack a go-to striker.

Liverpool (42) too is in the chase and will at least hope to finish ahead of Merseyside archrival Everton (41). The two teams sit in fourth and fifth, respectively, just ahead of Tottenham (40).

Of course, a few moves in the January transfer window could change the dynamics of the entire race. Even Manchester United (37) isn’t completely out of the running for a Champions League berth, especially if they can bring in a quality midfielder or two.

At the other end, a mere six points separates 10th-place Hull City (23 points) and last-place Crystal Palace (17) — a staggeringly tight relegation battle.

Sitting right in the middle are Newcastle (33) and Southampton (30), probably too far from earning a spot in Europe but seemingly safe from relegation. The other 18 teams, however, are in for a dogfight.

MLS STARS

Many eyebrows were raised at Clint Dempsey’s move to Seattle from Tottenham last fall. Those eyebrows went higher when Michael Bradley left Roma for Toronto FC.

No longer is a foreign star like David Beckham the biggest name in Major League Soccer.

It has to be seen as a positive for the MLS that clubs are willing to overpay for American stars. According to reports Bradley will be making five times more than he was earning in Italy’s Serie A.

Dempsey’s move makes a little more sense given that he’s near the end of his prime years, whereas Bradley, 26, is just entering his prime.

While certainly a good move for the MLS, whether or not it’s a good move for American soccer overall will largely be determined by the performance of the U.S. men’s national team in the World Cup.

QATAR DECISION

While the 2014 World Cup is still six months away, the debate continues to rage over what to do with the 2022 World Cup.

Awarded to the tiny — but immensely wealthy — nation of Qatar, which beat out the U.S., among others, the 2022 World Cup is on pace to far outdo Brazil’s Cup quandaries.

For starters, there’s the discussion of when to play the World Cup.

Typically the tournament is played during the summer, but desert heat would make games tough on players and fans. Qatar promises to use its technology (and money) to keep temperatures feeling cool, but many in soccer are skeptical.

However, if FIFA were to change the tournament from June-July to, say, November-December, you can guarantee American TV rights holders and sponsors will want some sort of compensation after bidding on an event they thought would be going up against pro baseball, not pro and college football.

Then, of course, there’s the issue of whether to even let Qatar keep the tournament. It’s possible that FIFA strips the Middle Eastern country of the World Cup after evidence was found that political influence played a part in the voting that awarded Qatar the Cup — a big no-no for FIFA.

The evidence of mistreatment of laborers merely adds to the anti-Qatar movement.

Could soccer’s ruling organization decide on a redo for the 2022 World Cup vote? If so, that’d be great news for the United States, which bafflingly lost out to Qatar in the first place.