WC Power rankings, 6/19

Pool play is 2/3 finished now. It's time for another look at the official Jay G. Tate World Cup power rankings.

1.) Argentina (2-0-0; play Holland on Wendesday)
So deep. Six goals against Serbia showed the world how deep ARG's squad has become. They have Crespo and Riquelme taking the spotlight, but there are at least four top-rate scorers behind them. The Wednesday match with Holland should be great.

2.) Brazil (2-0-0; play Japan on Thursday)
Not playing all that well right now, but the 2-0 win against Australia during the weekend wasn't a bad exhibition. When this team is tested, I think you'll see Ronaldinho and Adriano rise to the challenge. A lot of people still see BRA as the favorite. I think they're more talented than ARG, but they don't have the same cohesiveness.

3.) Spain (2-0-0; play Saudi Arabia on Friday)
A very good side. I love the way Raul is providing leadership while some of the younger guys make things happen up front. There are more talented teams ranked below ESP here, but this team plays with an intelligence. They have a plan and they're going to follow it.

4.) Germany (2-0-0; play Ecuador on Tuesday)
Game against Ecuador on Tuesday is going to be fun. GER needed a late goal from Neuville to break a 0-0 tie with Poland in the 90th minute, but Poland was playing really well that night. There's a tangible sense of unity with this GER team. Amazing that they came in ranked 19th in the FIFA rankings. They have that underdog aura.

5.) Holland (2-0-0; play Argentina on Wednesday)
Van Persie, Robben and Van Nistelrooy played well together in the 2-1 win against Cote D'Ivoire. My problem with Holland is that the team seems to lose its focus for long stretches. A good opponent is going to exploit that. The Orange play Argentina on Wednesday. That'll answer some questions.

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
Korea (1-1-0; play Switzerland on Friday) -- Great enthusiasm and they never get tired.

Portugal (2-0-0; play Mexico on Wednesday) -- Plenty of talent, but don't play as a team.

England (2-0-0; play Sweden on Tuesday) -- Still not sure the Brits can score against good teams.

Ecuador (2-0-0; play Germany on Tuesday) -- Five goals for; zero against. Show me something against GER.