SoyTejano

...would make the scariest Halloween costume?

I'm going with Trifon Ivanov: http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/1366...

The FIFA ranking is out...and it is just what I posted (after the correction for Colombia and Italy - I had the right point totals, but flip-flopped them - see below)

Here are the point totals pasted from my previous post (you can see where I flipped those teams in rank number, which I corrected in an edit yesterday):

Spain – 1514 1

Germany - 1261 3

Colombia – 1180 4 (Actually 5 at 1180)

Argentina - 1263 2

Netherlands - 1058 9

Italy – 1199 5 (4 at 1199)

Portugal – 1029 11

Croatia – 1051 10

Brazil – 1067 8

Belgium – 1159 6

Greece - 1016 12

Uruguay – 1126 7

Bosnia – 924 18

England – 947 17

Switzerland -992 14

Russia – 968 15

Ecuador – 851 20

Ivory Coast – 902 19

USA – 996 13

(Mexico) Out of Top 20

Chile – 967 16

The new rankings are EXACTLY what I posted. Let's all enjoy this sample response in that light:

"estados unidos 13? LOL estas pendejo?"

Congratulations, doofus! You have been elevated to 'Clueless Noob' status.

For those of you who know how FIFA rankings work, what are your opinions on these predictions for later this month?

First let me list both last months rankings and what they would be if FIFA issued the rankings *right now*:

Last Month:

1. Spain 1484

2. Germany 1257

3. Colombia 1219

4. Argentina 1210

5. Netherlands 1165

6. Italy 1142

7. Portugal 1099

8. Croatia 1098

9. Brazil 1089

10. Belgium 1079

11. Greece 1038

12. Uruguay 998

13. Bosnia-Herz. 995

14. England 994

15. Switzerland 987

16. Russia 979

17. Ecuador 972

18. Côte d'Ivoire 962

19. USA 960

20. Mexico 879

Right now:

1. Spain 1530

2. Argentina 1223

3. Germany 1211

4. Colombia 1167

5. Italy 1124

6. Belgium 1120

7. Netherlands 1092

8. Croatia 1086

9. Brazil 1080

10. Greece 1013

11. USA 1003

12. Uruguay 1000

13. Bosina –H. 950

14. Chile 929

15. Côte d'Ivoire 915

16. England 913

17. Switzerland 910

18. Ecuador 909

19. Russia 893

20. Mexico 877

The top five performers in 2013:

1. Colombia

2. Belgium

3. Spain

4. United States

5. Argentina

Most folks in this group are are interested in the US and Mexico. The first game is key to both teams (which is why I'm making my predictions *before* tonight's games - after would be somewhat easier):

The US has back-line injuries and Altidore is questionable. I still think they'll get a first win in a San Jose Qualifier fairly handily:

If Mexico wins against Honduras, they could do as well as 886 Ranking Points.

This is how I see it shaking out in the upcoming rankings:

1. Spain 1536

2. Argentina 1263

3. Germany 1261

4. Colombia 1223 (A win in Uruguay would put them at #2 - I think Uruguay will get a draw.)

5. Italy 1199

6. Netherlands 1111

7. Brazil 1067

8.* Switzerland 1064

8.* Uruguay 1064

10. Bos_H. 1049

11. USA 1043

12. Croatia 1030

13. Portugal 1029

14. Greece 1016

15. Russia 968

16. Chile 952

17. England 947

18. Côte d'Ivoire 941

19. Ecuador 913

20. France 859