Chile = The Texas Tech Red Raiders (Football)

Barcelona's Alexis "Electric" Sanchez will lead Chile's attack

Red Raiders Coach Kliff Kingsbury in his playing days

Chile don't have much of a history. They've never won a World Cup or Copa América championship; and their only World Cup performance that lasted beyond the Round of 16 was a 3rd place finish way back in 1962 (when they were the host country). "La Roja" ("The Red," not to be confused with Spain's "Red Fury") lives in the shadows of Brazil and Argentina like the Red Raiders must constantly fight for oxygen with Texas and Oklahoma. However, both Chile and Texas Tech have experienced perhaps their best run of success since the late 90s. After failing to advance past the groups / 1st game in 5 of their first 6 World Cups, Chile has made the Round of 16 in their last two. Beginning in the mid to late 90s, Tech went from historical afterthought to consistent bowl game participant and occasional Big XII title contender, first under the leadership of Spike Dykes, then Mike Leach.

Speaking of Leach, he and Chile's 2010 World Cup coach, Marcelo "El Loco" Bielsa both have reputations as eccentric geniuses whose teams play highly entertaining football. Both Chile and Texas Tech are now coached by disciples of Bielsa / Leach, (Jorge Sampaoli / Kliff Kingsbury) who maintain many of their mentors' major principles but do so without the craziness.

With facial expressions like this, it's no wonder they call Bielsa "El Loco."

Former Texas Tech and current Washington State Coach Mike Leach is known for his love of pirates.

Chile are fielding perhaps their best team ever this year, led by Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez and Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. Those two could start for every country in this tournament-- Alexis is freakishly fast and has dangerous big-play ability if he gets a little bit of space, while Vidal is a midfield swiss army knife who excels at every aspect of the game, both offensively and defensively. (Think Scottie Pippen in cleats.) Unfortunately, Chile were drawn into one of the "Groups of Death, alongside both finalists from the 2010 tournament. Their games against Spain and the Netherlands should be fun to watch, and the Chileans should not be underestimated... especially since they're also fighting for an inspirational cause!

Remember a few years ago, when 33 Chilean miners were trapped in a collapsed mine for more than 2 months? <Pauses while you google it.> Oh yeah, them! Well, those miners recently appeared in an ad supporting the team.

I don't know how anyone (other than hard core Spain, Holland, and/or Australia devotees) can watch that video and not want to run around screaming "CHI CHI CHI!!! LE LE LE!!!" at the top of their lungs.

P.S. Do not pronounce the name of this country as "chili." It's "CHEE-LAY."