So the Countdown Begins for 2010

I got one thing right. Argentina won the gold medal (for a second consecutive Olympics I might add).

And now the world waits. It waits for South Africa (or where ever the hell the World Cup may be) 2010. Two years. And it waits for the eventual clash between Spain's young guns and the Albicelestes. It's not like we don't expect it.

La Furia Roja earned its nickname earlier this summer, creatively slashing through the rest of Europe for its first major title in 44 years. And of course, most of the guys on the squad are up and coming youngsters, who will probably only get better in two years' time.

And Argentina? Well, they may have lost Copa America last year, but this current side plays with such a pace and flair, that these Olympics showed us that there is a changing of the guard in South America. Fine. Brasil defeated them 3-0 in the Copa final last year. But that was an old Brasil side against a very young Argentina team. In two years, I guarantee that the Albicelestes are the class of the world. And don't forget about Lionel Messi.

So, I can't wait. World Cup 2010 is going to be fun. Let's just hope that we get the final we all want. Argentina versus Spain.

Let the Games Begin (One Day Early)

I may not have the scores right for the women's soccer games last night, but at least I got most of the results correct.

Let's try this prediction thing again, this time with the men's football tourney starting tonight.

Must see game to watch: anything with the Argentines. They will be a sure joy to view, analyze, watch. Just sit back and let them take control of the ride.

Also interesting will be whether or not Peter Nowak can figure out how to get some balls in the back of the net for his American squad. Can Nowak find away to tap into that attacking and creative flair that Freddy Adu played with when he went toe-to-toe with the full national squads of Argentina and European Champion Spain? Can Jozy Altidore and Brian McBride find chemistry up top? Can Michael Bradley not be a bitch?

Those are the questions for an American side that I think can contend for a medal. But, with the U-23s, and stars like Ronaldihno and Messi leaving their club teams to play in this pseudo-World Cup, Team USA has got to get its act together.

Predictions:

Group A
Australia draws Serbia, 1-1
Argentina over Ivory Coast, 4-1

Group B
USA over Japan, 1-0 (finally, a goal for this American team)
Netherlands over Nigeria, 3-2

Group C
Brasil over Belgium, 3-0
China over New Zealand. 2-0

Group D
Italy over Honduras, 1-0
Cameroon draws Korea, 2-2

My Top 10 Things to Watch at the Games

The opening ceremonies are Friday. Olympic football starts a few days earlier. Beijing is ready to "let the world in" as those really stupid NBC commercials say.

Here are 10 things to lookout for at the Games this year (and of course there's a little bit of an American slant to this).

10. Chinese Regatta: Okay, maybe this one isn't so American. China has been excited for this for seven years, and trust me, they've been breeding their Olympians ever since they won the right to host. One of the more interesting tales of this comes in the world of rowing, where China hasn't done anything. That might all change this year. If there's a Chinese wave in the rowing waters this year, don't be surprised.

9. U.S. Versus China: Continuing on this Chinese versus the world theme, this might be the first time since the end of the Cold War that the United States might be challenged in the medal count. It's those breeding programs in China, trust me.

8. USA Basketball: The women will be a lock for the gold. I'll guarantee that. But the U.S. men, that's a whole different story. The Americans haven't won a major international tournament since 2000. Is the United States' monopoly on global domination waning? With a team full of uber-stars like Lebron and Kobe, anything but gold will be a disaster.

7. Swan Song for Softball and Baseball: The USA dominates softball. Since its inception in the Games in 1996, no one else as tasted gold. It's different for the USA Baseball, which has only won one gold medal since 1992. With baseball gone for the 2012 Games in London, can the Americans capture the gold for their national pastime?

6. Women's Soccer Rivalries: Brazil left a bad taste in the Americans mouth after last year's World Cup. Team USA is ready for a rematch. But the Games are in China, and ever since that 1999 World Cup, China and the USA haven't been the best of friends.

5. How's Tyson Gay's Leg: Gay is the track star for the Americans. But after injuring his hamstring in Eugene, Ore., during Olympic Qualifying, can he still be the fastest American alive, or will Team USA have to look to someone else for Olympic gold?

4. The Next Great American Gymnast: The Hamm brothers are back and are likely to strike gold again. But the women always steal the show. Sixteen-year-old Shawn Johnson now has the chance to put her name along side the likes of Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug and Carly Patterson.

3. The Wise Old Master: Can Dara Torres be the 41-year-old sensation and one of the oldest athletes to ever touch Olympic gold? She only has two events to do it in, which is just fine for that body that has to be massaged after every race.

2. Argentina's March to the World Cup: I'm going to make it official right now: Argentina is going to win the World Cup in 2010. The gold medalists from 2004 return with a star-studded side and play with a fierce aggression and creativity that scares the shit out of me. They play fast and any time they touch the ball, they can score. But of course, the Olympics have always been a place for upsets, so I wouldn't be too surprised if someone either than Brazil, Italy or the Albicelestes wins the thing.

1. Believe the Hype: Michael Phelps wants eight gold medals. He can get eight gold medals. Anything else for the American swimmer, then there's goes that title of "best ever."