As the World Cup continues, the cream of the crop has risen. Seven of the eight group winners advanced to the quarterfinals. The only group winner not to advance: an ‘up-and-coming’ soccer nation that goes by the name of United States of America.

But before you give up on soccer until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, there are plenty of great teams, players and games still to be featured in South Africa.

In an effort to keep fans interested in the world’s greatest sporting tournament, the following list compares the remaining eight teams to the American sports team it most parallels.

Hopefully this will give you a better sense of who is who and what certain teams have to offer. And just maybe you will keep watching some of the greatest athletes in the world perform on the soccer’s biggest stage.

THE CRITERION

1. History. Teams were judged on how well they have fared in past World Cups, as well as in their respective regional tournaments.

2. Style of play.

3. How good are they now. How good they used to be.

4. Player comparisons. Do they mirror an individual from an American team?

The Elite 8

1. Brazil

American Comparison: Los Angeles Lakers

To put it simply, the Brazilians are the best. Brazil has won five World Cup championships – more than any other country. And they do it in style. Selecaó’s play is beautiful and stylish, which they consider to be an art form. It is soccer’s version of “Showtime” on the pitch. Even their best players are known by a single name (e.g. Brazil: Pelé, Ronaldo, Kaká; Lakers: Wilt, Magic, Kobe, etc). But because they are consistently great and always produce the best talent, they are easy to root against.

2. Netherlands

American Comparison: Phoenix Suns

Classic underachievers who have top-flight talent, but have never claimed a World Cup championship. Like the Suns, Dutch soccer did not become relevant until the 1970s. The Oranje advanced to their only two World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978, losing to two of soccer’s premiere countries: Brazil and Argentina. The Suns have also only been to two Finals (1976 and 1993), losing to two of the most storied NBA franchises: the Boston Celtics and the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. Nicknamed ‘Clockwork Orange’ for its precise passing, midfielder Wesley Sneijder plays the role of Steve Nash, having the ability to be the best passer on the pitch as well as the best scorer. Both teams feature fast-paced offenses that are relentless on the attack. Oftentimes, the most fun team to watch play.

3. Uruguay

American Comparison: Notre Dame Football

Both teams and fan bases suffer from living in the past. Before the World Cup started in 1930, Uruguay won Olympic gold medals in 1924 and 1928 (then considered the biggest tournament in the world). They then claimed the first World Cup championship in 1930, and another in 1950. But since then… nada. Notre Dame also won their first National Championship in 1924, then again in 1929 and 1930. But the Fighting Irish haven’t been legitimate title contenders in over two decades. And although both have failed to win anything recently, their fans’ expectations are always unrealistic.

4. Ghana

American Comparison: Houston Rockets

Trying to be unbiased here. But after Ghana’s win over the U.S. last week in extra time, I had flashes of Rocky IV with an alternate ending. Imagine if Ivan Drago, with all his countrymen in the arena cheering him on, killed Rocky with a straight-right hand in the 15th round. It was that kind of a knockout blow most Americans felt watching the U.S. falter last Saturday.

In reality, Ghana is no Ivan Drago. But, like Drago, Ghana has the support of an entire continent. As the lone African country remaining in the World Cup, the Black Stars are in foreign territory. In only their second World Cup appearance they are shouldering the hopes of all of Africa. They will have to do so without their best player/captain, Michael Essien. The injury bug has also bitten forward Asamoah Gyan, who scored the game-winner against the U.S., and Kevin Prince-Boateng, who scored the first goal in the U.S. game. Both men will both be less than 100-percent against Uruguay. The Rockets know what it’s like having to deal with injuries to its superstars when it comes to the most important time of the season. Ghana’s team speed also mirrors that of Aaron Brooks, as they are one of the fastest/quickest teams in the world.

5. Argentina

American Comparison: University of Kentucky Basketball

A history of success, talent and intense fan bases. Argentina boasts the best player in the world in Lionel Messi, while Kentucky had John Wall suiting up for them this past season. Both are arguably the fastest players in their respective sports, constantly looking to push the pace to score. Wall and Messi also have great supporting casts. Gonzalo Higuaín, for example, has the Cup’s only hat trick thus far, and is tied for the tournament lead in goals (4). And both teams are led by coaches with big personalities to say the least. Former Argentine great Diego Maradona looked like he was in over his head when he took the coaching position for his country, barely qualifying for the World Cup. But everything is clicking right now for his side. John Calipari knows all about regular season success, but has failed to win the big game with some of the best talent. We’ll see if Maradona has the same problem.

6. Germany

American Comparison: Dallas Cowboys

You either love them or hate them. There really is no middle ground when discussing these two sides. Both have played in the most big games in their sports – Dallas has been to eight Super Bowls (winning five), while Germany has played in seven World Cup finals (winning three) and six European Championships

(winning three). Their successes have also come around the same time, as they dominated their sports in the 1970s and 90s. The Cowboys won two Super Bowls in the 70s and three in the 90s. Germany won a European Championship in 1972, the World Cup in 1974, then another European Championship in 1996 and another World Cup in 1990.

7. Paraguay

American Comparison: Gonzaga Bulldogs

They are the underdogs who are not afraid of the spotlight. This is Paraguay’s seventh trip to the World Cup. La Albirroja played the big boys of South America to qualify, just as the Bulldogs like to schedule highly-ranked opponents to build up its tournament resume. Also like Gonzaga, the farthest Paraguay has ever gotten is the quarterfinals (elite 8).

For them to reach George Mason-status, they will need to beat Spain to reach the semifinals.

8. Spain

American Comparison: New Orleans Saints

Spain carries the dreaded title “Best to Never Win It All”. La Furia Roja are always loaded with talent, but have found numerous ways to torture their fans with heart-wrenching losses in the World Cup. In fact, Spain has never finished better than fourth in the Cup, and that was in 1950.

This World Cup looks to be different, though. Spain is arguably the most explosive offensive team in the world. Statistically, they are the best passing team with midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta leading the Spanish attack. Both are undersized, measuring in at 5-foot-5, but make up the most efficient tandem in all of soccer. And because they are the world’s best passers, Spain also leads the world in time of possession, which limits the opposition’s scoring opportunities. But the Spanish defensive unit also likes to get involved in the scoring. Defender Sergio Ramos is extremely energetic, always looking to push and attack from his right-back position.

In these regards, Spain mirrors the New Orleans Saints. Offensively, the Super Bowl champs were led by undersized quarterback Drew Brees – who stands only 6-feet tall. Brees was the league’s most efficient passer despite his size, and helped the Saints seize the league lead in time of possession. New Orleans high-octane offense had many weapons (Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Reggie Bush, etc.) just like the Spanish do (David Villa, Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente, etc.). And one of the Saints’ deadliest scoring threats – safety Darren Sharper, who pulled down 9 interceptions last season, taking three of them to the house for touchdowns.

What Spain is really hoping they will be remembered for – like the Saints – is claiming their first World title, and being able to hoist the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy.