ROBERT SIEGEL, Host: And Stefan, let's look ahead a bit. The U.S. opens its World Cup tomorrow against mighty England. Do the Americans have any chance at all?</s>FATSIS: The United States' big problem has been their back line of defense. This is going to be a huge challenge for them, to stop Wayne Rooney. The United States has to avoid opening gaps in its defense that a world-class player like Rooney can exploit.</s>ROBERT SIEGEL, Host: Now, Stefan, explain how this tournament works. The U.S. and England are both in a group of four, together with Algeria and Slovenia. If the U.S. doesn't beat England, do they still have a chance of advancing out of that group of four?</s>FATSIS: So even if the United States doesn't win tomorrow, they could beat - or will have to beat either Slovenia or Algeria, and probably at least get a tie as well. So a tie tomorrow would be considered a huge advantage, a huge victory for the United States.</s>ROBERT SIEGEL, Host: And what other games or storylines, apart from the U.S. game, will you be watching this weekend?</s>FATSIS: The game of the weekend, though - in addition to the U.S.-England - Argentina and Nigeria. That's going to be a fun one to watch.</s>ROBERT SIEGEL, Host: OK, Stefan, enjoy the weekend.</s>FATSIS: Thank you, Robert.</s>ROBERT SIEGEL, Host: Our own Stefan Fatsis, covering the World Cup soccer tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Around the world Friday, soccer fans rejoiced as the World Cup got under way today. Sports commentator Stefan Fatsis watched the opener between the host country, South Africa, and Mexico on a large screen in Johannesburg. He tells Robert Siegel about the mood in South Africa. Robert Smith watched the first game with South Africans in New York, while Mandalit del Barco joined Mexicans in Los Angeles.