When the knock-out round of the World Cup begins Saturday morning, the Western Hemisphere will have almost half of the final 16 teams in contention, and at least two teams (the winners of Argentina vs. Mexico on Sunday and also Brazil vs. Chile) guaranteed in the final eight.  Even more compelling: both 2006 finalists, Italy and France, will be watching the games from the sidelines, the first time that’s ever happened.  Other European teams that were early on picked to outperform have struggled; so far Holland appears to be the strongest European team although Slovakia has certainly surprised and Spain has finally recovered from an early setback to Switzerland.  Latin America and also the United States have acquitted themselves well so far.

In soccer terms the Western Hemisphere has appeared to equal its former colonials overseers.  The United States tied England 1-1; Brazil tied its “second team,” Portugal, 0-0.  For good measure, even Mexico defeated its one-time colonial aspirant, France, 2-0.  Mexicans should consider adding June 17 to their holiday calendar, to compliment Cinco de Mayo which celebrates the defeat of the French at the Battle of Juarez.  Only Spain was able to prevail against its former colonies, defeating hapless Honduras, 2-0, and Chile by 2-1.  (Honduras did eke out a tie in its last game.)