Colombia vs. Uruguay: Is Luis Suarez Just a Brutish Competitor?

Colombia were the most entertaining team in the 2014 World Cup Group Stage. Uruguay were among the chippiest and fortunate to go through. The Colombians learned to cope without a star striker, with Radamel Falcao missing the tournament. To go through, the Uruguayans must do the same (with another elite striker Edinson Cavani). Or, perhaps just channel their righteous anger.

Luis Suarez… Luis Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. This led to a four-month ban from soccer, a lame explanation and Uruguayan claims of a vast media conspiracy against their star striker. (Venezuela bought it) Tabloids have turned him into some weird Hannibal Lecter-type figure. The truth may be a bit more mundane. Is the biting Suarez losing control? Or, is it using a deliberate, nasty tactic to rattle an opponent? Sort of like racially abusing a black player repeatedly during a match? Suarez may just be the extreme version of the guy who starts tweaking nuts in an American football pile up.

Was the suspension warranted? Well, the visceral reaction comes more from the creepiness than the violence. Most players would rather Suarez bite them than have a player go studs in on their leg, which warrants a one match suspension. That said, it is an adult biting people and it was the third time, that he has been caught.

Dancing Shoes… Colombia has been the World Cup’s best dancing team. Legend Carlos Valderrama, member of our World Cup Badass XI, still has a few moves.