After months of pleading and begging, it is an honor to have Ibrahim Dabo officially come over to Mad About Futbol. The former editor of Goal.com's Africa edition is one of the preeminent voices of the game in the Dark Continent and his opinions will be vital in order to gain a greater understanding of the national teams from that region.

Ibrahim interviewed former US international and ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas. In this interview he talks about the US' chances in the World Cup as well as how the team has progressed this year.

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Excitement is mounting and the drums will soon be sounding in emphatic fashion as South Africa hosts the world’s most prestigious sporting event—the World Cup—for the first time on African soil. There has also been some very interesting analysis amongst football analysts and fans alike on how teams will fair in the tournament.

In Group C, much emphasis is geared toward the opener between the U.S. and England, and while most experts have tipped England as favorites, Lalas is nonetheless happy with the draw.

“It was the easiest draw that we’ve ever had,” Lalas said while also maintaining words of caution that anything can happen in a World Cup.

“There could have been much worse groups—we have been in worse groups before. So I think against England in the first game… they are good but I think the U.S. can find a way to get points in that game. Ultimately, if you can’t find a way to get points against Algeria and Slovenia, then you don’t deserve to go on,” he said.

Thoughts on England vs. USA

“I think it will be one of the most watched soccer games in U.S. soccer history,” said Lalas, who was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006. “I think it will be very popular from an international perspective. For the U.S., I think it’s good to get England in the first game. Sometimes you don’t want teams to get going and get into their groove—that’s when you don’t want to play them.”

He said some difficulties the U.S. will encounter include set pieces, free kicks, and the ability to win balls in the air against England considering the pace of English football and even climatic conditions in South Africa.

“It’s going to probably be a pretty fast game. But I believe with some of the talents that we have, and being the underdogs in that game, it’s to the advantage of the United States,” Lalas said.

Prospects on David Beckham making England’s World Cup squad

During his time as president of the LA Galaxy, Lalas played an instrumental role in pioneering the transfer of superstar David Beckham from Real Madrid to the Major League Soccer in a multi-million dollar deal.

Although Beckham will rejoin AC Milan on a short-term loan in January, uncertainties still underlie the 34-year-old midfielder’s chances of making it in Fabio Capello’s squad for the World Cup.

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All photo credits: Christian Antalics
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Ibrahim Dabo is one of the top soccer writers in America regarding the Beautiful Game in Africa. He has now officially joined the Mad About Futbol team and will be talking about the latest goings-on in Africa and aroudn the world. You can listen to him every week starting in January on the Mad About Futbol Show. For any additional articles you can check out The Man Himself here.