This evening United Head Coach Curt Onalfo and Assistant Coach Ben Olsen will appear on Comcast SportsNet's Washington Post Live at 5:00 p.m. ET. Both men will discuss United's progress over the past few weeks, along with their opinions on the upcoming World Cup. If you can believe it, the biggest tournament in world football is only days away, and every member of the Black-and-Red is excited for the action to kickoff in South Africa. 

United's players have not exactly been shy about voicing their World Cup opinions, and today Behind the Badge caught up with veteran forward Santino Quaranta to get his take on the upcoming fixtures. True to character, Quaranta was candid and insightful, and you may be surprised by who he thinks will win it all in 2010.

BTB: When you look at this tournament, what is the first thing that pops out at you?

Quaranta: I think the biggest story so far has been all of the injuries. There are so many guys out right now it is unbelievable! There are definitely going to be some surprises when you are missing guys like Rio Ferdinand, Didier Drogba, and Arjen Robben.

BTB: You have experience at the international level, what do you make of the United States' chances as you think about the group stage?

Quaranta: I think their chances are pretty good, you know? I think they will do fine against the other two teams [Algeria and Slovenia], but the first team [England] is going to be tough.

BTB: By "the first team" you mean England, why do you think that side presents such a challenge?

Quaranta: I think the score will be 3-1 in favor of England. The bottom line is they [the United States] are just going to have a tough time stopping [Wayne] Rooney. It's going to be difficult to stop him, the guy is a force, and their supporting cast is not exactly bad.

BTB: What about this World Cup being the first tournament to be played on the African continent?

Quaranta: It's exciting, just really exciting. I think the South African fans are going to be really passionate; African soccer fans in general are really passionate people. For everyone involved this is such an opportunity because it is the first time it [the World Cup] is being played over there, so I can't wait to see what it all looks like.  

BTB: You mentioned earlier that injuries have affected the tournament already, what about roster omissions?

Quaranta: Absolutely, you look at a guys like [Giuseppe] Rossi, and it's kind of sad. It's a situation where you hope that things work out, but in the end Italy is Italy - it is a very difficult country to play for because they have so many quality players. In a way it's a shame he won't be playing for us [the United States], because he could be such a difference maker.

BTB: So in the end, who wins the 2010 World Cup and why?

Quaranta: I like France. Just down to a man they are skilled and experienced, and I know a lot of people have written them off, but you can't deny class. I think France lifts the World Cup in July.