Team Preview Colombia - Paul Pablo

Best win? Worst loss? For your team in history of the tournament.

Best Win -Last year against Sudan. After watching them play Laos so well but losing, and the shear size (height) of their team I knew it would be a difficult team to play against. Especially when our average height is probably 5'8. But we played great defense, man marking, and tried as much as possible to not let them shoot from anywhere. Even though the game was a shooting frenzy at the end on us we still came out on top 2-1.

Worst loss - Austria last year. We just didn't come out strong or play as a team right off the bat. If we had won this game, it would have given us an even better possibility of actually making it out of our group. We just had to either tie or beat ES, because they lost to Sudan. Which I thought we had a chance of doing for sure but we couldn't get the ball in the net that day. I remember Spencer saved at least 3 goals if not 4 on the goal line using his massive from our shot and free kicks.

Tranfers. Who's in? Who's out?

In- Nothing to note on either.
Out-

Who is your most important player? 
Obviously my brother Paco is our most important player. He can do it all. Play attacking mid or defense, he's a playmaker, his dribbling, moves, control with the ball is so fast you think he's for sure going the one way, but he goes the other way and is gone. Has the most insane shots I've seen and rarely gives up the ball. And I'll give my other brother Carlos some credit, he can be pretty good, just needs to put on some weight and move a little faster.

What are you team's strengths?

Well this year our main line of guys should be in decent shape, because we have been doing boot camp sessions since about January. We are definitely starting to play more as a team, every year we get a little stronger. In recent years we have grown more comfortable with each other so there is a good team vibe. I should also mention our fan base, it may be small, but they are there every game in bright yellow jerseys cheering us on.

If you could have one player from any other team who would it be? Why?

I'm going to say the Patterson twins. As we all know, they come as a package. Every year I ask them to come out for my team, when they feel they've had enough of Germany and want to switch things up. Any team would be lucky to have them and they are good friends of mine.

Realistically where do you expect to finish?

Hard question, I'd like to say this is our year, and every year we win one more game than last year. So to get out of our pool but no further. Realistically probably 3rd place in our pool, but I've been gone for the past couple months, so maybe we will get out and make some sweet upsets on the way.

Who would you like to see win besides your team?

I'd like to see an underdog team win it, just for pure entertainment. Realistically though, Poland is my pick.

My take: Colombia is in a tough place this year. That is not an easy pool there in. Colombia are one of those teams where the more they stick around in a game the more their confidence grows and the harder they are to put away. Paco is a player who is going to make something out of nothing at least once a game and that's the danger in playing. Just like last year I see the playing spoilers and beat one of Afghanistan, Canada, Jamaica or Laos. I still think 2nd or 3rd will be a tall order for them in this tough group but wish them the best.