Prediction

At the end of this past season there were numerous rumors about Bastian Schweinsteiger leaving Bayern Munich. Although no offers were made, Manchester United, with head coach Louis van Gaal, never failed to miss an opportunity to praise the German midfielder for his leadership, strength, and ability to control the game.

And although Schweinsteiger himself remained quiet for the most part about Manchester United’s interest in him, one could sense his passion and his will to move to another club, to get another challenge; Schweinsteiger never committed himself to Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid is stuck in a sticky spot after they let longtime goalkeeper Iker Casillas go on to Porto after 25 years with the club. To replace him Real Madrid is looking to make a deal for Manchester United keeper David De Gea, but it looks like the Red Devils won’t be willing to let him go without Sergio Ramos in exchange.

A solemn farewell to Casillas leaves backup keeper Jesus Navas, who is also Costa Rica’s first choice keeper. He had a great World Cup, but had a dismal first season for Real Madrid.

There is a very real possibility that Manchester United could sign a striker, according to Louis van Gaal. 

Ironically, after a season in which the Red Devils’ strike corp was arguably its most talented set of players, they find themselves with a dearth of midfield options, a bolstered defense, and only one proven senior striker: Wayne Rooney (Apologies to Javier Hernandez).

Many think that the team needs to buy another striker, and van Gaal has not ruled out more spending, although he didn’t say specifically what positions further spending would increase. 

In just a few hours from now, we will be witnessing probably the match of the year between the US and Germany, the two best teams in women's soccer.

With the exception of their game against France, the Germans cruised into the semis. The US on the other hand, has played a few nail biters to get to this point.

It's going to take a team effort in order for the USWNT to advance to the World Cup Finals. So, what will it take to defeat the Germans?

Here are three things:

Yes, you can expect Alex Morgan, arguably the USWNT's best player, to start tonight when the US faces China in the quarter finals of the 2015 World Cup. 

Morgan may still be recovering from a knee injury, but she is far closer to being 100% than she has ever been since going down injured in the first place. It is no coincidence that she has started the last two games. Expect that trend to continue, especially given the fact that Morgan scored the game winning goal against Colombia in her last match.

The United States and China have a bit of history in the World Cup. The last time these two teams met in the competition in 1999, the USWNT won the match, and went on to win the entire tournament. A high standard to live up to, especially considering that the US has yet to hit its best, most convincing form.

Mexico’s supposed B-team will want to show the world that they are anything but second rate.

After an amazing 4-3 win in a comeback against the Dutch, the Americans continue to Germany to take on Jogi Low's World Cup winning team.

England Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has said there is a real possibility that the US could host the 2022 World Cup should it be stripped from Qatar.