This was a memorable World Cup for many reasons. We saw highlight reel goals, amazing team play, and breakout stars that are now fetching large transfer fees on the open market.
5. The 4-5-1 is the new big thing.
Both teams in the Final used an aggressive version of the 4-5-1 formation. Although their overall play style was different, the tactical lineup was virtually the same. Two holding midfielders to support the back four. One rushing full back to support two wide attacking midfielders or wingers, and a center forward used to set up a loan striker. Argentina were able to play it well, Brazil, Belgium, Colombia, Switzerland, and even the USA got in on the action after Jozy Altidore got hurt. Germany and France played the slightly more aggressive version of it and went with a 4-3-3, but the idea is essentially the same. It seems that the 4-5-1 could become the "default" formation that the simple 4-4-2 used to be because of its visible success here at the World Cup.
4. The USA is closer than we thought, but they still have a ways to go.
Nobody really expected the USA to make any sort of splash in this World Cup. Even Jurgen Klinsman said that this cycle was more about preparing for the future than winning it all right now. The Stars and Stripes were not picked to get out of the group featuring the eventual champions and very talented Portugal. But the USA beat Ghana, outplayed Portugal to a draw, and played with Germany for a while before succumbing to the inevitable defeat. Results like that give hope that they aren't that far off from competing a little more. It is the round of 16 match against Belgium that shows just how far they still have to go. The back line was so porous that Tim Howard had to be historically good to keep them in the game.
3. Conservative play leads to defeat in this new attacking environment.
This World Cup saw an large increase in goal scoring over the past several editions. This year featured the most goals in a tournament since 1998 and was noted for the wealth of attacking talent. Teams that played not to lose, as opposed to playing to win, often found themselves on the wrong end of the scoresheet. It is no surprise that the team that scored the most goals per game (Germany with 2.57) won the tournament. This doesn't mean that good defense is dead, however. Germany also allowed the second fewest goals per game. But it was attacking talent that stole the show.
2. Lionel Messi is still the best player in the world, but he can be stopped.
Messi may have lacked his big moment at any point in the knockout rounds, but he still had some great moments of individual skill. His goals against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran were classic Messi. While he still is the greatest talent in the world right now, there was also a blueprint of how to stop him. Iran started it by simply collapsing multiple defenders on him as he wafted closer to the box. For all of Messi's skill, he still has trouble working himself out of overly congested situations. The good news for him is that I doubt any teams in La Liga possess the world class defenders necessary to truly shut him down.
1. James Rodriguez is the truth.
Coming in to the World Cup, nobody but hard core soccer fans knew about how good AS Monaco forward James Rodriguez really was. He came into the tournament with no real pressure on his shoulders and all the room to make an impact. He left it with the Golden Boot as the top goal scorer and now has become the most coveted player in Europe. Real Madrid appear to be in real talks to bring him to Spain for more than $100 million.
In addition to this, be sure to check out my five players not to forget from the World Cup over at Soccerly.
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