On paper, England should win in a few hours. Badly. By at least five goals. With the exception of goalkeeper Tim Howard — who would start for England — not a single member of the US roster would make the England squad. Not even beloved Landycakes.
Yet, as they did against Spain in the Confederations Cup last year, the US will make it a match and could possibly win. It’s a simple matter of chemistry. The US have it, England doesn’t. Who knows what lineup will trot out for England, but as we saw with France yesterday, star power means nothing.
Because, if there’s any area where the US can exploit, it’s the center of the park. There, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, two of the world’s best center midfielders of the past decade, may have to coexist, or rather try to do so—the conundrum that is their lack of positional cohesion has stumped England coaches, critics and fans for going on six years now.
On the other hand, their counterparts Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark are far from world-class. But if they can boss around Xavi and Xabi Alonso, they’ll be up for the easier challenge posed by the England pair.
That said, there’s still the Wayne Rooney factor. Will the US revert to a Hack-a-Wayne policy to get his temper flaring and get him out of the match? No, because the US has class (I hope). But they should, because otherwise, they have no answer.
Five goals? No, but two or three, the ugly truth for America.
Day One Recap:
South Africa Vs. Mexico — South Africa surprises and fails to suffer the ignominy of being the only host nation to lose its opening match. And for hero Tshabalala, what a beautiful goal it was.
Uruguay Vs. France — French manager Raymond Domenech, a media target for his lack of competency during Cup qualifying, is out of a job after the tournament. So, it seems, he’s doing his best to sabotage the squad now. Relegating attackers Gignac and Malouda to the bench against Uruguay, their replacements in the starting lineup did little to nothing. As did the rest of the squad, actually, with the exception of Yoann Gourcuff. Too bad no one on the team likes him. Comic relief courtesy of the French this Cup.
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/global/images/default-avatar.jpg){kind=avatar}
![[image]](http://cdn.tss.uproxx.com/TSS/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2012/01/Tim-Howard-goal-main-150x74.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.tss.uproxx.com/TSS/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2011/06/W4751-150x72.jpg)
1. I’d argue that Landycakes and Dempsey would make the England squad.
2. No one employs “hack-a-Wayne”.
3. I hate to admit it, but I think Domenech put his team in a position to succeed (by switching to a 4-3-3), but too many men on that team are in shitty form, especially Ribery, who should really go play on the right, so Malouda (who is in form) can play on the left. Anelka is not the man for the lone striker spot – he drops too deep. Finally, Gourcuff was utter gash yesterday – shitty touch, wayward shooting and it doesn’t help that everyone else seems to hate him for no reason. Diaby was probably the best man out there.
Dempsey and Donovan would easily make the England squad
The game will be a draw today, you forget to take into account that both fifa and the refs want us to do well.
4 for 4 on results so far. even guessed the korea score correctly. 5 for 5 after the US and England draw.
After watching the Argentina-Nigeria game, it was made pretty clear that a world-class keeper can keep any team in a game, and we certainly have that.
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard!
Whatever will be, will be!
England’s gonna win, you’ll see!
Because we got Gerrard, Gerrard! :)
Either Argentina didn’t fully have the pedal to the metal, or Nigeria did well to contain them to only lose by one goal.
Messi showed sparks of brilliance, but lacked the killer finishing touch, he could have had a hat-trick by my reckoning.
Still though, good victory for Argentina, the goal was well taken by Gabriel Heinze.
BTW, I heard Joe Biden and his enormous forehead will be attending the England vs USA game later on. That’ll cast a huge shadow on the pitch!
Dempsey isn’t a regular starter at Fulham.
Donovan wouldn’t make it over Adam Johnson, even.
Stop trippin, y’all. Don’t let the loyalties fool you.
And Capello better not start Carrick– dude’s been awful recently.
it should have been at least 4 or 5 to maybe 1 or 2… for messi i feel it was a combination of building pressure (he was playing well but still not finishing(which has to be frustrating for him)) and stellar goal keeping. nigerias goalie truly impressed.
Stop trippin, y’all. Don’t let the loyalties fool you.
==================================================
maybe heed your own advice…
good match tonight !
@Devin, I thought Adam Johnson was a dead cert to make the squad, but obviously not!
I like Capello’s strategy to not name the final team until close to the game, that keeps players level headed, in particular those who might get too big for their britches thinking they got a guarenteed start.
Goalkeeping dept is a bit of a worry, David James is a seasoned vet, but we have not had a rock solid goalkeeper in eons. So I think if Tim Howard was English, yes he would make our squad! :)
just because we play in concacaf doesnt mean we arent here to make a statement. we finished first in our region and we love to play the underdog roll.
By the by.. Clint Dempsey started 27 of 29 matches played at fulham this year… the other 8 matches… out with an injury. Full time starter
I love the premier league. ManU(p) bitches. Which is why its going to break my heart to see Rooney score or not score. He should score, but if he does that hurts my country, and if he doesnt that isnt a good look for him
THE WORLD ISNT READY FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO DO…
@Pandas, just as long as Rooney doesn’t turn into Mister Glass or Mister Display of Vulgar Revulsion, it’s all good. Those or my only concerns about him, and I believe our captain’s words about keeping a goal head are said with Rooney (but not solely) in mind.
If Heskey starts alongside Rooney, then Heskey will play the intelligent hold up and lay off the ball role, so that Rooney can be let off the leash.
But you’ll have problems with Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon, Ashley Cole and even Glen Johnson, all these dudes love to run at goal pull the trigger, if given the chance.
But I’m not Capello, for all I know he could have a defensive strategy in mind, once (and if) we get the lead goal.
@sir run… you didnt have the speakers up loud enough.. when he finished talking about staying calm and keeping a level head you could hear, very faintly, “*cough cough* Rooney”. We talked about Lennon yesterday so I hear you on that. Cole, yes, i get it. Glen Johnson not so much. But its not like your back line isnt going to have a nightmare with Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan, (Torres and Gomez if they get clock)… You shmell me. And i personally would start Defoe. Although as far as form goes I cant say ive seen enough to know who is in the best form up front for you… i thought i heard somewhere that he was starting crouch though. I want him to play, to score, and to do the giant robot like he did before.
LOL! at speakers comment. :)
Yeah, the Crouch robot is priceless, ha ha!
I dunno, we’ll see in a couple of hours time or so, we can all have a tea party afterwards. Ha!
Anyway, laters, I’m out for now.
alright fellas… lets hope the refs keep their noses out of this game, first english speaking game of the tourney so we will see what fifa has done. All i want is a good clean game, no excuses on either side win or lose. Enjoy the match, stay safe, and USMNT… lets channel 1950, we already got the jerseys.
Terry, Lampard, Gerard, & Rooney… Need I say more… The USA may have a little chance if England got a real bad day. And Dempsey & Donovan ain’t good enough otherwise they would play at topteams.
Michael Bradley is one pussy hair away from being world class. He’s definitely the one of the last of a dying breed: the box to box midfielder.
@ Paw you from Merseyside? cause some hella Gerrard love lol but me fo England go 3 lions
Don’t watch much soccer but let’s go USA!!!!!!!
And then I bid you Freddy Adu / Prodigal Child, y’all not ready for the future
let we see if he commences the match, first.
Them set-pieces were beautifully executed by Argentinians! Real aggressive but second half was weak.
All my favorites football stars are English but today I’ll go with USA !
@ panda dude Donovan Would mabey make the squad but dempsey pffffffffffffffffft if defoe aint playing then Demp’s would not he is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to inconsistent and not a strong enough finisher. And of course your a Man U front runner like I said Football’s Lakers or Yankees dude fuck that Liverpool if this weren’t a somewhat civilized board I’d be throwing some profanities but alas I’ll refrain
michael bradley doesn’t even belong on the field…. and neither dempsey nor donovan would make the English squad… Just because our (USA’s) level of play is finally getting better doesn’t mean we are at the level necessary to beat a team like England…If we win this game it will be a miracle… so lets hope for a miracle
USA team jackets are kinda fresh
I’m only a casual soccer watcher, but I know enough to know that Argentina’s offense was a monstrosity. Truly put my Naija blood to shame, but I still have my people winning at least the second seed.
Iunno who’s gonna win this game, but after reading enough team stats, U.S.A’s squad isn’t ready for England. This is like using the Mike Tyson Code on Punch-Out (Word to Curren$y) when it’s your first time playing the game.
Stevie G
gERARD !
DEMPSEY DUMPS IT UP !
just tuned in around the 60th minue mark….man I’m nervous….idk how many more shots the U.S can afford to let England make…ahhhh!!!!!!
the U.S has surprisingly hung in there with England this last half though.
Ima see the 1st half on DVR and see whats up….but yeah…Howard has stepped up as keeper.
the Brits looked good. USA got lucky. I hope they keep playing with luck.
God, that was awful. Typical England being England.
What a shitty goal by the USA!!! A total fluke, but at least it gave the USA a boost in confidence to play some excellent defense. England wasted a lot of opportunities, although plenty of credit must go to Howard for making some good saves.
ps: What y’all think about that South Korea vs Greece game??? What a beat-down!!!
US got a lucky goal but it’s not like England’s was any better…
Jozy’s chance was soooo close, would have been crazy. Decent game, neither team looked sharp, I hope they meet again somehow in the elimination rounds
Nothing lucky about England’s goal, it was a nice move.
But, typical England performance, no real attacking threat, poor final balls. Not awful but hardly worldbeating. If Green hadn’t dropped his clanger we would have got the three points which on reflection we probably deserved but it was nice to see the US get something out of this one.
Not a big fan of foot ball, somehow the numbers just don’t add up
Glen Johnson working his socks off to carve out chances but nobody in the box to take him up on his offers! Same with Aaron Lennon, flipping heck, he cut two chances, but nobody in the box!
Emile Heskey, awesome with the work rate, but yet again, a clear cut chance and he shot straight at Tim Howard.
Rooney wasn’t firing on all cylinders either.
Team USA did well, yes your goal was lucky, but you were well organised, Altidore, good chance, but good save by Robert Green (keep your head up kid, and don’t let the freaking paparazzi get to you).
Onyewu, solid as a rock, great beard too, I think Liverpool should sign him up!
Roll on the next game, we’ll go through, I just hope it is top of the group!
South Korea shocked me with that win. Their tallest player is 5’9″, Them guys have a lot of heart.
@Darius, South Korea are a good team indeed.
@England for the win bitches, naa I’m around 55 minutes drive from Anfield, I’m stuck on the other end of the East Lancs Road, in Greater Manchester, amongst a slurry of Manchester United fans. But I’m Liverpool through and through. I love my club, and I love our captain (in a none homosexual way of course).
In fact tommorow I’m wearing my LFC jersey loud and proud, I believe Johnson, Gerrard and Carragher repped the club well tonight.
We’ll do it against Algeria, I sense Capello will go all out with the attacking formation, that will ease the burden off Rooney.
Rooney was non-existent today. He needs to be highest up the field. Plaudits to the US for holding firm.
@Devin, indeed, hard to believe that was the same Wayne Rooney that delivers magic, week in, week out for Manchester United.
Altidore’s break of pace, was fast! He left Carragher trailing, and whilst I got mad love for Carra, as an experienced guard, I feel his loss of pace, against quicker footed players, may cost us dear. It looks like Ledley King will be injured for the next game, so Carra will probably play, so hope he keeps his game face on, and stands firm, which of course he will! :)
Onyewu is the dude though, rock solid, we need to approach AC Milan for his signature, very impressed by him, he has improved alot as he has gotten older.
Sean Wright Phillips, sit your ass down, Glen Johnson was doing the work that you should have been doing!
When I fell asleep it was 1-1 and when I woke up it was 1-1. I’m assuming I didn’t miss anything too crazy.
@Terrail, you missed England squandering some good chances and Altidore hitting the post for the USA. But other than that, naa you didn’t miss much.
@england for the win… Ive been a ManU fan since the days of Cantona… dont question my soccer allegiance you bum. Sorry but this shit is my passion, i dont play fairweather bullshit. I bleed for ManU, DC United, and USA.
@terrail… Fall asleep??? Come on man, I stood in front of the tele the entire time.
@everyone… 1-1, just like i called it. 5 for 5 on results so far(not score, just results). May I be the first person to guess the correct result on every group stage game? me thinks no.
@athrin.. sorry my man… thats korea’s spot.
I hope they meet again somehow in the elimination rounds
===============================================
that would be the finals.
Rooney could probably benefit from playing closer to goals like he does with United. The likes of J Cole or even Gerrard as a support striker probably would’ve allowed him to push up. Thankfully, Slovenia and Algeria are essentially warm-up games.
Thankfully, Slovenia and Algeria are essentially warm-up games.
——–
Like this was supposed to be….
^ HAHAHAHAHA!! sorry i had to. much respect. yall out played us for 75-80 minutes
Alas y’all seem to pick the top players and not the top team. just an outsiders opinion. i truly think donovan, altidore, and dempsey could be productive on your team. i understand you not accepting that but they understand football. at least admit they could be 60 to 70 minute subs to make a difference in games like today…
Holland is gon kick all yall asses.
damn, that Nigeria goalie was on FIRE! He’ll be in the Premier League or something next season, so he can provide for his whole village or something.
Holland is gon kick all yall asses.
damn, that Nigeria goalie was on FIRE! He’ll be in the Premier League or something next season, so he can provide for his whole village or something.
France captain Patrice Evra has blamed the vuvuzelas for his side’s poor start to the World Cup in South Africa. The Manchester United full-back claims he is getting woken up at 6am by people playing the noisy trumpet-like instruments and that the players can’t hear each other out on the pitch.(Source: The People)
@Devin, if Gerrard is allowed to play just behind Rooney, then things could possibly happen. It went a bit pear shaped for Rooney yesterday, the whole world was expecting, but for a fair proportion of the game, he was just a passenger on the Greyhound.
I hope no one in this group (US and England) is underestimating Algeria or Slovenia.
Algeria is sitting on home soil and Slovenia was able to handle a talented Russia over 2 legs in a playoff.
@Belve10, true indeed, couldn’t have said it better myself. That top group is a must because the route in the knockout stages will be ‘easier’ than if you finish second. But all things said, no such thing as an easy game in this competition.
Come on, Onyewu would definitely make the England team.
@sir run…. isnt it sad when a team that talented is already making excuses before they are even eliminated… plus he acts like complaining is going to do anything other than make it worse.
Onyewu is good, I would like to see Liverpool make a bid for him, I’m not sure if he is a regular starter for AC Milan, so we might be able to get him for cheap.
@Pandas, yeah the Evra excuse sucks, I hope France can turn it around, and make it through the group stages. I know people are pointing at Karim Benzima not being taken, but did he really do that much this season gone by at club level? I would have expected Samir Nasri to have been there, even though he has been injury prone, still worth taking a good impact player.