World Cup NFL-style?

Ever wonder what a World Cup soccer team might look like if the roster was filled entirely with NFL players? Probably not, but this blog does some speculating for us. We know that, by and large, here in America, the nation’s best athletes are probably playing American football, hockey or basketball, and are not funneled toward soccer careers.

Adrian Peterson plays soccer with children in the township of Philippi on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa.

Soccer players are highly athletic, for sure, but given soccer’s still-lagging stance in comparison to other sports, it’s safe to say that our top athletes aren’t soccer players. Of this country’s nine World Cup appearances since 1930, third place is the team’s best finish so far. But that result, which actually took place in 1930, long escapes nearly everyone alive today. Nonetheless, here is the blog writer’s NFL-infused World Cup roster.

Goalkeeper: Larry Fitzgerald

Defenders: Ed Reed, Patrick Willis, Adrian Peterson and Maurice-Jones Drew

Midfielders: Tom Brady, D. Heyward-Bay, Nnambi Asomugha and Chad Ochocinco

Strikers: Vince Young, Andre Johnson and Michael Vick.

Not a bad list, and I think Fitzgerald would make a beast of a keep. I think these players should get some sort of nod as well: Randy Moss, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, Beanie Wells and Drew Brees.

By the way, four NFL players, Peterson, Tommie Harris, Roy Williams and Mark Clayton have, indeed, kicked the soccer ball around on a recent trip to South Africa:

The visit included a friendly soccer game against school children from Mzamomhle Primary School in the township of Philippi on the outskirts of Cape Town.

No doubt, the NFL players got toasted by the young futbol hopefuls.

[Photo credit: Schalk van Zuydam/Associated Press]