Former Rapids defender Marcelo Balboa, a three-time World Cup veteran with 128 appearances for the U.S. National Team, will report from the World Cup in South Africa in collaboration with Denver Post soccer reporter John Meyer. Balboa also is doing radio work for Futbol de Primera and video for .
RUSTENBURG, South Africa — We got here last Saturday and it was very calm, nothing really going on. But by Wednesday, you were starting to feel the vibe of what a World Cup is all about.
They had a big parade in Johannesburg for the South African team, and it was just packed with people. South African flags are everywhere.
All you hear about is today’s opening match between South Africa and Mexico. The South African team is very excited, and they feel that, with the support of the fans in that big new stadium, they’re going to be able to beat Mexico. They’re confident.
This Mexican team is good. The controversy for Mexico is who’s going to start in goal and whether attacker Andres Guardado might not start. Their camp has been tight — the coach has told them no Twitter, no Facebook — they don’t want anyone leaking any information about who’s going to play.
The atmosphere is going to be electric. In the 1990 World Cup, we had to play Italy in the Olympic Stadium in Rome (Italy won 1-0), so I know how tough it is to play the host team, how deafening it is. The important thing for Mexico is being able to withstand the first 15 minutes. South Africa is going to come at them with everything they’ve got to put pressure on them right away.
On a neutral field, Mexico would be the favorite. But here, I think it’s an even game, maybe even favoring South Africa.
The closer we get to Saturday’s USA-England game, the more people are starting to realize the U.S. has a great chance. You still have to say England is the favorite, and the U.S. has a lot to prove.
I see two main questions regarding the U.S. team: How healthy is the defense? How will a front line (Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Herculez Gomez and Robbie Findley) perform that’s never played in a World Cup?
World cup
FIRST ROUND
GROUP A
Friday
At Johannesburg
South Africa vs. Mexico, 8 a.m. (ESPN)
At Cape Town, South Africa
Uruguay vs. France, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
GROUP B
Saturday
At Port Elizabeth, South Africa
South Korea vs. Greece, 5:30 a.m. (ESPN)
At Johannesburg
Argentina vs. Nigeria, 8 a.m. (ESPN)
GROUP C
Saturday
At Rustenburg, South Africa
England vs. United States, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
Sunday
At Polokwane, South Africa
Algeria vs. Slovenia, 5:30 a.m. (ESPN)
GROUP D
Sunday
At Pretoria, South Africa
Serbia vs. Ghana, 8 a.m. (ESPN)
At Durban, South Africa
Germany vs. Australia, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
GROUP E
Monday
At Johannesburg
Netherlands vs. Denmark, 5:30 a.m. (ESPN)
At Bloemfontein, South Africa
Japan vs. Cameroon, 8 a.m. (ESPN)
GROUP F
Monday
At Cape Town, South Africa
Italy vs. Paraguay, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday
At Rustenburg, South Africa
New Zealand vs. Slovakia, 5:30 a.m. (ESPN)
GROUP G
Tuesday
At Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Ivory Coast vs. Portugal, 8 a.m. (ESPN)
At Johannesburg
Brazil vs. North Korea, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
GROUP H
Wednesday
At Nelspruit, South Africa
Honduras vs. Chile, 5:30 a.m. (ESPN)
At Durban, South Africa
Spain vs. Switzerland, 8 a.m. (ESPN)
