By Michael Lepoutre

Season's Over's Euro 2012 predictions went 50/50 it's first time out. Version 2.0 looks at the Final 8 as they head into the knockout stages later tonight. Who will come out on top? Let's take a look:

Quarterfinals

Germany vs. Greece

Germany continue their dominant form and do what is necessary to advance.  The Greeks in a valiant effort drop out of the tournament thanks to a late goal from the Germans. Germany 1-0

Portugal vs. Czech Republic

With Ronaldo heating up after scoring 2 goals against the Netherlands the Portugese are looking very dangerous.  They can score with the best of them but they will need to be organized defensively to advance. Portugal 2-0

Spain vs. France

The weakness of the French is in the air and thankfully for them the Spanish are one of the smallest teams and don’t have a target man like Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  If they did it would be hard to pick Les Bleus to come out on top. France 2-1

England vs. Italy

Both teams will play timidly and worry about not allowing a goal rather than going out and scoring one.  Thankfully for the Italians they have the creative edge against the English and I see them coming out on top. Italy 1-0


Semifinals

Portugal vs. Germany

The Portuguese will enter this game in a great vein of form but it won’t be enough to top the Germans.  I think this is Germany’s year. Germany 3-2

France vs. Italy

In the rematch of the ’06 World Cup final the French exact their revenge against the Italians.  Mario Balotelli will be extremely frustrated and get a red card. France 1-0


Final

France vs. Germany

The French will not match up well against the German side.  Unfortunately for Les Bleus and the French the Germans will come out on top with two goals from set pieces and a third to seal the deal. Germany 3-1

By Michael Lepoutre

We're now about two weeks into Euro 2012 and about two weeks removed from my predictions on who would make it out of the group stages alive. 

Greece once again is surprising people, Italy is sticking it out like their old selves, and the Dutch played with their tails between their legs for three straight games.  Through these occurrences and others, I would say I didn't do half bad in my predictions. So,  in baseball terminology, here are my grades for my own predictions for the opening rounds of the tourney:

Group A

My predictions: Russia, Poland
Reality: Czech Republic, Greece

I flat out blew it on this one.  Both Poland and Russia had a chance to qualify for the knockout stages with wins in their final games but the Czech Republic and Greece had other plans.  As for my key player predictions, Sczezny didn’t play a single minute (my bad) and Arshavin was less than stellar compared to the young gun Dzagoev. Grade: I struck out swinging for the fences on this one.


Group B

My predictions: Germany, Netherlands
Reality: Germany, Portugal

I came pretty close on this one.  Germany captured all 9 points as I predicted and the final game between Portugal and the Netherlands did decide their fate.  However, Portugal prevailed over a very disappointing Netherlands side that set a record they’d rather not repeat (losing 3 straight group games).  And credit to Denmark for making it interesting. Grade: I left a runner in scoring position in Group B.


Group C

My predictions: Spain, Ireland
Reality: Spain, Italy

In retrospect, picking Ireland was more than hopeful; it was a dream that would never have come to fruition.  That being said, Spain qualified handily and Italy, with some help from the reigning champions, handled their business as well.  Grade: I got caught trying to steal third in Group C,  no luck of the Irish for me.


Group D

My predictions: France, England
Reality: England, France

As I predicted both England and France qualified but it wasn’t as easy for Les Bleus as I would have hoped.  Thankfully England took care of business against Ukraine in the final game securing their spot atop the group and more importantly Ukraine’s in third.  Grade: I managed to score a run here, but it wasn’t pretty.

So there you go, my Euro group stage report card. As far as predictions for the rest of the bracket goes, stay tuned for my revised predictions (coming to a Season's Over near you).

By Michael Lepoutre

How's Euro 2012 going down? A repeat for Spain? Another Cinderella run like eight years ago? Let's take a look:

Group Stage

Group A

I don’t see the ’04 Cinderellas making it out of this competitive group.  With no clear favorite I think experienced Russians win the group and Poland play stingy defense and score just enough to qualify for the knockout stages.

Group B

Denmark has no shot.  It’s a 3 horse race that I see Portugal finishing last in.  I think Germany wins it outright without dropping a sinlge point and the Netherlands sneak by with a victory against Portugal in their final game of the group respectively.

Group C

Spain, although lacking the same fire power that helped them win the Euros in 08 and World Cup two years ago, still are heads above the rest of the group.  A young and promising Italy team is in rather weak form approaching the Euros and thus will take an early exit with Croatia.  Ireland, often on the wrong end of critical referee, finally claws their way into the knockout stage.

Group D

After a disappointing and embarrassing World Cup campaign for Les Bleus, Laurent Blanc the head coach, has the team destined for greatness.  A creative midfield will help them get by England and the rest of the group.  Despite the opening loss for the 3 lions, they right the ship and live to see another day in the knockout stages.  


Quarter Final Matchups

Russia vs. Netherlands

Russia has had the easier path getting to this point, while the Netherlands earned their spot in the knockout stages.  Netherlands will dominate the Russians all over the park because of their pedigree at every position. Netherlands 3-0.

Poland vs. Germany

Germany outplays Poland with aggressive pressure and clinical finishing.  Nothing against the co-hosts, but Germany’s history in tournaments is impressive and nothing about that changes here. Germany 2-0

Spain vs. England

The Roy Hodgson era begins well with England’s advance to the knockout stage but takes a vacation after the Spain match.  Spain’s midfield will keep most of the possession, leaving England with few possessions to capitalize on. Spain 2-1

Ireland vs. France

After the controversial Henry handball, eliminating Ireland from the last World Cup, the Irish will be out for revenge.  Unfortunately for them,  France will not need to rely on a referee’s decision to advance. France 2-0


Semifinals

Netherlands vs. Spain

Rematch of the World Cup final, the Netherlands will match up pound for pound against the Spanish champions but fall short in the goals category.  Spain can sneak the one goal they need. Spain 1-0

Germany vs. France

These two played a friendly earlier this year with France winning against the young German side.  Although the German side will be more prepared, the creativity of France’s midfield will generate chances for their lone striker Benzema or Giroud to put the Germans away. France 2-1


Final

Spain vs. France

The winner will be the team that can control the middle of the park.  M’villa’s fitness is huge.  Without him I don’t know if the pairings of Ribery, Nasri, Malouda, or whoever else Blanc decides to play in the midfield can handle the dominant play of Xavi and Iniesta.  And in keeping with my previous note of the importance of the centre-back pairing, Koscielny and Rami will have to play a near perfect game.  Les Bleus, with the odds stacked against them, come out on top. France 2-0

By Michael Lepoutre

With Euro 2012 kicking off tomorrow, Season's Over takes a look at some of the team and players that will ultimately decide who will hoist the trophy later this summer.

Germany: Mueller

If his substitution in the Champions League final taught us anything it’s that he needs to be on the pitch.  His adaptability in the midfield and forward positions is vital for German success.  Ozil cannot be the only creator on the pitch for Germany.

Russia: Andrei Arshavin

The tricky Russian needs to impress during the Euros to convince the Zenit coach to sign him away from Arsenal this summer.  He has the talent to do it, without him Russia will struggle.

Poland: Szczesny

The Arsenal #1 had an excellent campaign for his club and will have to repeat that form in order to help Poland advance.  Look for Szczesny to add to his highlight reel with some stunning saves.

Netherlands: Robin van Persie

The PFA player of the year must keep the form that secured champions league football for Arsenal in order for the Dutch to escape the group of death.  Without him, Portugal may overtake them for the second spot.
Spain: Fernando Llorente

Assuming he gets the nod to start over Torres, which he should, the potent forward will have to recreate the success that David Villa had four years ago in order for Spain to win it all again.

Ireland: Robbie Keane

If Ireland is going to advance over the favored Italians it will be because of Keane.  The striker has been the Irish talisman for many years and his experience will help them prevail.

France: Centre-back Pairing

France’s 4-2-3-1 formation allows their creative midfield to interchange and flow with attacking outside backs and the lone stiker (Benzema/Giroud).  They need to sure up the back line to eliminate sloppy goals that have plagued them in the past.  Personally I would give Koscielny the nod over Mexes and pair him with Rami.  

England: Oxlade-Chamberlain

Roy Hodgson, if he’s smart, will give the start to the young star.  In their last game before the Euros against Belgium he showed his true potential.  He’s fast, has an excellent dribbling ability and is very direct with the ball.  He attacks outside backs constantly.  And if he starts, super sub Walcott can then exploit the outside backs late in the match.

By Mike Corasaniti

We're now more than four rounds into the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the tournament where the MLS annually asserts their dominance over all those pesky semi-pro, development leagues. Right?

For the fourth time in the past 10 years, at least three non-MLS teams are making up the quarterfinals of the Cup (they made up half the field in '09, '07, and '04). But do the three USL Pro squads left in the field have what it takes to become the first non-MLS team to run the table since the 1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos? Season's Over takes a look:

Harrisburg City Islanders at Philadelphia Union

Philly hasn't been having anything of a stellar start to it's MLS regular season, winning just two of it's first 11 matches for second-to-last in the East, but a 3-0 breeze by the '99 champs and an Antoine Hoppenot overtime goal against D.C. yesterday have set the Union up for a June 26 match-up at home against Harrisburg City. But the Islanders should not be taken too lightly, especially after bouncing the Red Bulls by two goals in overtime last night (the second week in a row they sent an MLS team packing). If 22-year-old Gambian striker Sainey Touray can stay hot as he did against his former team, it might be the end of the road for Philly, and good tidings for an Islanders team that has come this close and closer in recent years.

Sporting Kansas City at Dayton Dutch Lions 

If you're looking for a Cinderella team to root for at this point in the tourney, you've found them in Dayton. The Dutch Lions are currently in last place in the USL Pro with only four points over their first nine games of their regular season. Now the Dutch, after their second straight overtime win courtesy of midfielder Joel DeLass, have Sporting Kansas City at home. But the small advantage of home cooking may not be enough against arguably the best MLS team left in competition. If Teal Bunbury can net one early, the game may get out of hand.

Charlotte Eagles at Chivas USA

A trip across country to sunny Carson, Calif. is the reward for a Charlotte Eagles team that blanked FC Dallas in the 3rd round before squeezing by the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions in overtime. But Juan Pablo Angel will do his best to make sure the Eagles' vacation is nothing enjoyable. The forward netted the eventual game winner against the Carolina RailHawks with his stoppage time penalty and would love to keep moving the Goats forward to their first US Open Cup title. But their next step will be to stop Charlotte's Mauricio Salles, who had the game winner with five minutes left in overtime against San Antonio.

Seattle Sounders at San Jose Earthquakes

The second and third best teams in competition (KC is looking good) meet in San Francisco for the most exciting match-up of the tournament so far. San Jose is looking good, especially behind Steven Lenhart's clutch goal in the 85th minute of Tuesday's contest, but Seattle is looking pretty much unstoppable as they go for a record fourth straight title. The Sounders just trounced Cinderella-hopeful Cal FC 5-0 behind two goals apiece from Fredy Montero and Osvaldo Alonso. Hopefully San Jose, the busiest and most-travelled team in the league as of late, will be able to get some rest these next few weeks, or else this most exciting match-up may just be a small bump in the road for Seattle.



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By Mike Corasaniti

The Wizards are almost impossible to score on some games behind the defensive prowess of Aurelien Collin. They have been slumping these past couple weeks, which could definitely hurt them ITSET, but behind a tough offensive attack led by the likes of Kei Kamara, Kansas City has the tools to stay near the top of the league for the entire season.

The Red Bulls  are arguably the best team in Major League Soccer right now, yet with 2 less games played than East-leading D.C. United, they'll have to settle for a No. 2 seed in this round of the ITSET playoffs. Behind forward Kenny Cooper and his team-leading 11 goals, the Red Bulls are a nightmare for teams to face right now. Defense will be the deciding factor in the next few months on whether or not these guys are for real.

Matchup – The New York Red Bulls have not lost a match since being taken down 4-1 at D.C. United on April 22. Translation, ITSET, New York would be entering the playoffs without a loss for over a month. I see the Wiz bouncing back from a rough May and scoring quickly in the opening leg of the series before Thierry Henry finds the back of the net in the 70th minute. But it's not even close when the series heads back to Harrison as Cooper bounces Kansas City with a goal in each half. Red Bulls 3-1