England held to 1-1 draw by USA in opener

June 12th, 2010 | by: SoccerLimey |

green mistake

England’s World Cup tournament got off to a slow start in Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg tonight with a 1-1 draw against a determined USA team. England got the perfect start after only 4 mins when stand in captain Steven Gerrard latched onto an Emile Heskey pass to slide the ball past Tim Howard into an empty net. However, they failed to capitalize on their advantage and were pegged back in the 44th minute when England goalie Robert Green dropped the clanger we were all afraid of when he allowed a harmless long shot from Clint Dempsey to dribble away from him and into the net. England were a much improved side in the second half but the USA defended strongly and honors remained tied.

The starting line-ups held a couple of surprises as Robert Green took the goalkeeper position for England, with James Milner starting out on the left despite suffering from a virus this week. Peter Crouch was left out in favor of Emile Heskey which surprised many as Crouch is a proven goalscorer. USA coach Bob Bradley started with Donovan on the right and Dempsey on the left, with the surprise inclusion being Robbie Findley partnering Jozy Altidore up front in favor of Edson Buddle.

The fan support was evenly divided between both nations but England flags adorned all sides of the stadium and even the infamous vuvuzela could not drown out the anthems. Both teams started slowly but it was England that sprung to life after only 4 mins. Glen Johnson’s throw on the right side was mishandled by Rooney but the ball was collected by Heskey who slid a perfect pass onto a charging Gerrard who, with the outside of his right foot, slid the ball past a helpless Tim Howard to give England the lead. They were now content to sit on their lead and patiently build up their attacks but the lack of movement was evident even at this early stage.

gerrard usa goal

After 13 mins Cherundolo found himself totally unmarked after a short corner but his cross was poor and the danger averted. Gerrard seemed inspired by his goal and was all over the field but the USA looked the more assured passers. Donovan found some space just outside the box but his cross was too much for Dempsey to reach. Heskey was England’s brightest forward in the first quarter of the match and was giving Onyewu and DeMerit all they could handle but after 17 mins, Rooney and Donovan together had hardly touched the ball.

All of England’s attacks had come through Emile Heskey but James Milner was visibly struggling for pace out on the left. Heskey and Rooney combined well on the right but again the cross was too long. A yellow card for a foul on Cherundolo increased Milner’s misery and surprisingly, Fabio Capello sent on Shawn Wright-Phillips in place of the Aston Villa midfielder. Glen Johnson was finding space out on the right and after 28 mins, fired in a low cross that Heskey could not reach only to slam into a diving Tim Howard. For a minute or two, it looked serious for the Everton keeper but USA hearts were lifted when he rose to resume his spot in goal.The centre back pairing of Onyewu and DeMerit were struggling to shut down the England attacks and Howard had to make his anger known on more than one occasion.

England were starting to look threatening with each move although at times their build-up lacked authority and movement. On 38 mins, Donovan had his first taste of the goal when he found space 25 yards out and fired a shot just wide of Green’s right hand post but a minute later, the hammer blow that all England fans had dreaded came true. Dempsey turned Gerrard outside the England box and took a hopeful shot which slowly made it’s way to the England goal. Robert Green failed to get down completely to make the routine stop and the bal squirmed out to his right and rolled over the line. It was a mistake England could ill-afford to make.

The goal seemed to bring the game alive and after 41 mins, Glen Johnson stole into the USA area again and fired in a left foot strike which Howard had to smartly smother. For the remainder of the half, both teams seemed to find more space and the tempo increased markedly. At the half time whistle, the USA seemed to have temporarily gained the upper hand and it was clear that Fabio Capello needed to call on his motivational powers again.

Jamie Carragher replaced Ledley King at half time as England started brightly and Wright-Phillips was starting to get some space and after 49 mins, his low cross into the 6 yard box only needed a tap-in from either Heskey and Rooney but neither one could stretch far enough. On 51 mins, their best chance since the goal fell to Emile Heskey. In a move similar to his goal for England against Germany in 2001, he was released fully clear of the USA defenders by Lennon but shot directly at Tim Howard who gratefully accepted the ball. England were looking a different side now despite an ineffective Rooney who was dropping deeper and deeper to try to get some possession. The USA was restricted to the odd set-piece and a reckless foul by Gerrard on Dempsey outside England’s area created their first chance. From Donovan’s free kick, Bocanegra turned the ball wide with a sharp header but it was clear that the Three Lions were now pushing further and further forward.

heskey miss

England’s increased possession was creating cracks in the USA defense, and Lampard, with a left-footed 30 yard drive, as well as Johnson, who expertly controlled a corner only to shoot wide of the target, came close. On 64 mins, the USA should have taken the lead as Jozy Altidore completely skinned Jamie Carragher and blazed into the area only to have Green parry the ball onto the post and wide. The lack of pace in the backline must have sent shivers through Capello as England breathed again.

After 74 mins, Rooney had his first real chance when he took a short free-kick from Lampard and thundered a 30 yard drive just wide of Howard’s left hand post with the Everton man left groping. England looked likely to score with each attack now as the USA tired visibly. Bob Bradley substituted Edson Buddle for Robbie Findley as the USA tried to cope with England’s increased tempo. With Gerrard and Lampard gaining control in the middle, Peter Crouch was brought on after 78 mins in place of Emile Heskey in the hope of creating a dirrent target. Rooney, Lennon, and Lampard combined smartly with 7 mins to go and only a sliding tackle from Onyewu stopped Lampard from scoring.

Both teams now seemed content to play out time as a draw seemed more and more inevitable. Stuart Holden was introduced for the USA late on but as time expired, it was clear that the Americans were more satisfied with the result.

After a great start, England failed to break down a solid USA defense and worrying for Capello should be Rooney’s lack of involvement, as well as the absence of movement in midfield. The goalkeeping position has obviously now become a bigger talking point and a lack of pace in the middle of defense is surely going to be exploited if we get out of this Group.

Unfortunately, a performance certainly not indicative of why many pundits consider England to be semi-final contenders.

England Football Team World Cup Blog RSS Feed

http://arsenal.theoffside.com Martin

Schaudenfreude and my position as the Arsenal Offside blogger pretty much compel me to point out that this is exactly the sort of match in which England could have used a speedy winger with a track record of coming on as a supersub in the 70th minute, stretching the field with his speed and creating chances at the end of the game. But hey, at least Capello had Defoe and Carrick harmlessly snoring at the end of the bench, huh?
DJW

—————-Hart—————-
————————————-
-Johnson—-Terry—King—-Cole-
————————————-
———Lampard—Barry———-
————————————-
—Cole——Gerrard—–Lennon–
————————————-
————–Rooney—————

OR

—————–Hart—————-
————————————-
-Johnson—-Terry—King—-Cole-
————————————-
Lennon–Lampard–Barry–Gerrard
————————————-
———-Rooney—Defoe———–

And state whether or not you would switch around some of the players, for example, Dawson instead of King, or Heskey instead of Defoe, etc..
My personal preference for the next game would be the second formation, and no player changes (other than of course substitutions). Seeing the fact that we tied USA, the group could come down to goal difference, and I for one would much rather a 16 and quarter final against Serbia and France, than against Germany and Argentina, so we need goals!
Ben

England has the best keepers yes greenkeepers greetz from germany ^^
chupp

Weird choices by Capello. I thought that England had finally hit it right and had a world class manager to run their world class squad, but this game has proven me wrong. Heskey was useless, Milner wasn't quite ready for the World Cup, Wright Phillips…. Seriously, Wright Phillips? Why? Why keep your most creative player (Joe Cole) on the bench, when it's clear that the team lacks the surprise factor? Why not take speedy supersub Walcott? By how things look right now, if England needs to score, Capello's only plan B is Crouch. I'm expecting a tough game against Slovenia.
Pegpubinfo

ha ha … what a pile of pis…h ……. em if Englander cant beat the USA can they win the world cup??? not in a four months of Sunday … they are completely cra..p
Staffletop

Rob Green should retire from football right now…..he is a national discrace….as an amatuar goalkeeper, i have to say that the only way that ball would have gone in the net was if he did it purposely….he should tell the rest of the lads that he is going home and appologise for that absonlutlely dispicable goal….GO HOME NOW YOU USELESS TWAT,,,!!!!!!
Staffletop

“”England goalie Robert Green dropped the clanger we were all afraid of when he allowed a harmless long shot from Clint Dempsey to dribble away from him and into the net”"

We all have eyes…he did NOT allow a dribbles ball to go past him……he had the ball in his hands and 'allowed' it to roll into the net.
José Cléo

The goal of the English Team was early. In a beautiful one-touch football, the skipper Steven Gerrard came through in the middle of the area and shooting calm under the good American goalkeeper Tim Howard. It seemed that England would score more goals, but the U.S. calmed the game and had more possession of the ball in the first half.

The U.S. team drew in a failure of the English goalkeeper, Mr. Robert Green. Dempsey shot weak but Green couldn't stop the ball and it went in slowly.

England were attacking more. Aerial balls crossed the goal area, good moves near the touchline, domination of the midfield with almost all passing through by the Gerrard and Lampard. But, Rooney barely touched the ball. When he succeeded, did nothing. The frigid night of Rustenburg was not for Rooney.

So, the American defense held the English attack. One point for each selection. However, the U.S. seemed out happy.

And the Brazilian referee Carlos Simon had a great performance and was hardly noticed in the field.
Ct8589

And just think! The USA players are not the best athlets in the country. Those chaps play basketball, baseball or American Football. LOL The Brits lost to our men who are not good enough for the other sports. LOL
Ct8589

Sorry tied not lost.
Rigger101

USA ranks soccer as its 4th or 5th top sport. Just think if you faced the US top jocks! LOL
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

You aren’t seriously suggesting that baseball players are better athletes than soccer players are you ? The reason soccer players get lost to other sports in the US is because of the money and the fame.
Jimbo

How is Hart not the goalie and where was Joe Cole? Not good enough England, disappointing.
http://www.soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

Should have included this in my article but here are my England player ratings:

GREEN – 2 Say no more.
JOHNSON – 7 Always a threat coming forward and a quiet day at the back
TERRY – 5 Ordinary at times but his distribution was poor.
KING – 5 Never really pressed by Altidore but injury question mark for Algeria
COLE – 6 Handled Donovan and pushed England forward late in the game.
MILNER – 3 Given the run around by Cherundolo that forced him to be subbed out
LAMPARD – 6 Industrious game and would have scored but for Onweyu
GERRARD – 8 Back to his Anfield best. Sublime goal gave England great start.
LENNON – 6 Struggled to get support but was always a thorn in Bocanegra's side
ROONEY – 5 Poor game by his high standards. Dropped deep with no success.
HESKEY – 6 Did his job well but should have scored on breakaway.

S. WRIGHT-PHILLIPS – 5 Looked sharp at times but poor finishing cost his team.
CARRAGHER – 4 Woefully short of pace these days highlighted by Altidore
CROUCH – 5 Did what he could with little time left. Should have started.
cleareyesfullhearts

1776: USA 1-0 ENG
1812: USA 1-0 ENG
1950: USA 1-0 ENG
2010: USA 1-1 ENG

I don't understand why you guys are all so upset–this is the best result you've gotten against us in anything but meaningless friendlies! You're making some great progress! Chin up!

And at least by now you ought to be used to this experience of completely overrating your team heading into the World Cup–sure, you keep doing it every 4 years, but at some point surely at least the shock of the fall doesn't get you as much? Maybe? Well if not, there's always 2014 to learn the lesson, you guys! I'm sure you'll have some top-level EPL players you can assume are as good as you pretend, and that you can guess will magically play well as a team.

Good luck!
Lissadey Dey

Mr.Green..goalkeeper..i saw ur match 2mrw..dntworry…n 4get abut this match…u did played well…so chill..u will make it far better the next tym..i m nt so much in2 football…but this is alll…play well
best of luck
lissa 4m India..kolkata
Rdhabich

Shame on you
Peter Gearing

I've been out of England for 3 years now and all I can say is England are SHIT!!!! Didn't we learn anything before while having a foreign coach under Sven???
Green may have fucked up big time, but the rest of the team had the chances to resolve the situation. Why are we fielding has beens like, Heskey and Carriagher. I can see why Carriagher has been sidelined so much and I am sure I am not the only one. You don't come on and get a yellow card straight away. Also I don't know why Beckham was so upset on the sidelines, after watching his fiasco in New Zealand. And what was Rooney upto?
ENGLAND ARE SO SHIT, I HOLD MORE HOPE FOR AND WILL BE SUPPORTING THE ALL WHITES. This is coming from a born and bread Englishman who, cannot believe The FA are happy to disappoint the true supporters of English football once again. Up the All Whites!!!! Signed Peter Gearing
Hawkeyeusa

Seriously !!!! We take two goalies, one from a team that was relegated and another from a team that was almost relegated, and we wonder why we get results like that. And all the discussions are about which to choose: the worst in the Premiership or the near worst in the Premiership. What a f'in joke!!!!
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

I have advocated Hart from the beginning but let’s face it. Goalkeepers make mistakes. They always have and they always will. My biggest concern is that this team has been playing like crap since they qualified against Croatia and we are continually told by everyone, Capello included, that “we will get better”. Thats’ the same song and dance that we heard from McClaren and Eriksson, and nothing seems to have changed. There are positives from yesterday but a ton of negatives also and the goalkeeping position is one of those decisions that Capello is now under the spotlight for.
Webmaster

England should be fine. This is only the first game. Relax folks.
Ckigs124

Nice. Point made. The game started in England and has really passed them by. By the way, USA is on this rise, not England. Crybabies!
Englands loyal fan

Call yourself an England Fan ?? or bout the rest of the squad Rooney went walk about, Ledley King shouldn't of even been on the pitch and James Milner let the whole squad down by declaring himself fit and obviously wasn't. Dont think you can blame just Rob Green when several players were to blame
T1NA

USA 1 – England 1 = NOBODY WON!!!!!!!!!!!! Game not even EPIC. Each got 1 measly point.
GRE observer

Quoting: “NOBODY WON!!!!”

That was such an IRONIC comment … True, about the English team (they have done that to lift spirits in the U.K.), but still it was an IRONIC comment.

Just don't get ME started on how the USA … ALWAYS tend to OVERRATE each and every Team USA and how they always HAVE to WIN at EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And can you tell me why is it ALWAYS three specific nations that do that ALL they time? Is it because they ALL speak English (USA, Australia, England) and need to seriously BATTLE OUT who will still prevail??? … THAT is so UNHEALTHY, man.
Roy

CARRAGHER should have been sent off….TWICE. He should have had 2 yellows before he fouled Findley as the last man back…which is a straight red.

The England central defense should be a bigger concern than the goaltending.
Philkeay

Heskey not any good for Villa so why England, should be Croutch from the start.
Richwright15

That's right, your best athletes sit on the sideline sucking oxygen after one play at American football. Hockey.. athletic?… baseball… athletic?.. Basketball.. fine.. the most athletic of mainstream US sports but not too well suited for Football! Lets face it no advert break = no sport in the US and no fan base. You have the attention span of small children.
steven.

we're only 3 days in and i'm sick to death of the Vuvuzela already .. what happened to singing? the manufactured “atmosphere” is annoying ..
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

I think if anyone is guilty of overrating talent here it is the English. We think we’re better than we are and we consistently buy into the comment that “we’ll get better” . Well, time’s up, Fabio. It’s here and now on Friday.
Paoloitalia

I am an Italian fan. Not a great start for England considering all the hype but not to worry it's an easy group and Italy won the world cup in 2006 after a tie with USA in the group stages. Best of luck.
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

I have to agree. I was hoping that we would only hear them at the SA games but it’s constant at every game. There is no atmosphere to appreciate on TV and, at least in the US, it appears that Martin Tyler is resigned to the fact that his voice is drowned out and so sounds totally disinterested. A crying shame.
http://www.faisalabdullah.com/2010/06/13/well-done-germany-score-4-goals-for-opening-match/ Faisal Abdullah

1776: USA 1-0 ENG
1812: USA 1-0 ENG
1950: USA 1-0 ENG
2010: USA 1-1 ENG

that a great fact.England never win against USA..But for me,England is a good team but maybe they don't have luck.
http://www.soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

Latest news just in. Capello said at training today.

“Things could be worse. We could be Australia ! “
Kev

I think that England always seem to suffer from dull displays and route 1 tactics. There is something too predictable about their play. Rob Green is being made the scapegoat here. Because after Gerrard's goal, all Engalnd did was to sit back and go for route 1 football with those longs balls towards Heskey. They were struggling to build up and pass the ball. People ask why Heskey is being played. It's because he is perfectly suited to the route 1 tactics England usually adopt. And after England's goal, it was the USA who were passing the ball more crisply and building up patiently and I felt they were rewarded for that. I was watching the Germans last night and the football they played was a joy to watch. I do think that England will easily sail through the group stage. But Capello's England is very similar to Eriksson's England. They are going to be dull and defensive and will notch a couple of 1-0 wins till the quarter finals where they will be knocked out by simply a better team playing better football. Same old story.
Dino

Englands poor showing was not about it's goal keeper, it's tactics or it's manager. It is more about bad karma! No team can have players that beat up DJ's and cheat on wives and expect to win the World Cup! Where are the players such as Wilcox that have a clean sheet and a good heart?

How do you beat a team of prima donna's? Let them think they can do what ever they want and then let them suffer the consequences.
T1NA

Quoting myself: “NOBODY WON!!!!” it was a draw and each got 1 measly point. Germany may have won over Australia, but they did NOT have a spectacular game either!!!!!!!! Everybody seems to be testing the waters because … NOT only is there that stupid, tricky ROUND “Jabulani” BALL for the players to use, but there is ALSO that … annoying SOUND of those … BUZZING vuvuzelas that have completely thrown ALL players out of whack!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.faisalabdullah.com Faisal Abdullah

Yes Nobody Won.But If england play well and if england goal keeper didn't do mistake.I sure England will won that match.USA not strong enough to won that game
Samudzi

England lack a good distributor of the ball. They were outnumbered in the center of midfield, and needed someone capable of keeping the ball at the flanks. Lennon and SWP had far too few touches, and England did not take advantage of the tremendous attacking threat they provide.

Neither Lampard, nor Gerrard are good distributors, and offer more or less the same threat. It would make more sense to pair Gerrard with someone like Carrick, if they insist on a 4 man midfield. This would mean putting Lampard on – Oh my god! – the bench.
White Hawaiian Brain Gobbler

When you grew up playing football, wrestling, hockey, and soccer, and then compete in MMA as an adult, sitting around for 2 hours to watch 2 goes put the ball in the thing for a stupid 1-1 tie, that's not having a good attention span, that's about being reptilian. Then these panty waists anguish over being bumped, or some goal they missed…

Look, I get that Europeans are smarter than the Ameritards that end up on t.v. or the A-Holes who go there and act like sh!ts, That's why I moved to Hawaii… But the sport is…just….tiresome. And I grew up across the Lake from Toronto and have watched it my whole life. I like the big field, and the things that sorta happen, but, sigh… The Facts:

Basket/Criminal Ball SUCKS, Foot/Criminal Ball SUCKS, Hockey is Okay, Soccer is usually Okay, But MMA is what is the only sport that seems fun. I want the English and the Americans and The Russians and The French and Germans and Norwegians and Chinese to have “Team MMA” matches on those big green fields, to tickle our archetypal memories and awaken the thrill of medieval battle that lies dormant in every real man!!! Wouldn't that be fun as Fu@k?!
White Hawaiian Brain Gobbler

When you grew up playing football, wrestling, hockey, and soccer, and then compete in MMA as an adult, sitting around for 2 hours to watch a two goal, 1-1 game, that's kinda, not as good as it could be. Huge field and they try to kick the ball in the net thing, for a long time… For a stupid 1-1 time..

THAT'S not having a good attention span, that's about being reptilian. Then these panty waists anguish over being bumped, or some goal they missed…

Look, I get that Europeans are smarter than all the Ameritards that a certain ethnic group likes to put up on t.v. I get that wealthy A-Holes go there and act like sh!ts. I've hated that too. That's why I moved to Hawaii… But let's face it that the sport is…just….tiresome. And I grew up across the Lake from Toronto and have watched it my whole life. I like the big field, and the things that sorta happen, but, sigh… The Facts:

Basket/Criminal Ball SUCKS, Foot/Criminal Ball SUCKS, Hockey is Okay, Soccer is usually Okay, But MMA is what is the only sport that seems fun.

I want the English and the Americans and The Russians and The French and Germans and Norwegians and Chinese to have “Team MMA” matches on those big green fields, to tickle our archetypal memories and awaken the thrill of medieval battle that lies dormant in every real man!!! Wouldn't that be fun as Fu@k?!
CheckIt

I'm so tired of this lame response. As a 20 year player of both organized soccer AND basketball, I can tell you straight up…no way in hell could Kobe, Lebron or Chris Bosh keep up with 90% of the guys on the US team, let alone ANYONE who played for Brazil, England, or any of the other top teams in the world. It is a different sport with different talents, strategies and skillsets. This ridiculous 'thought pattern' that 'our best athletes aren't on the field' is atrocious and borderline retarded. I am a born and raised California-kid and am almost embarrassed at how bullheaded and stupid some US folk are when it comes to soccer. If you don't know the sport, never played past 6th grade and can only hold on to your …eh hmm…glory days when you made one good tackle at the 10 yard line…go post somewhere else. Your lack of knowledge on the sport of soccer is glaring. Trust me…my high school football team took the league crown every year I was in school…and 8 out or 10 of those guys couldn't do sh*t with a soccer ball, let alone a skateboard, basketball or tee shot. There are different skillsets, body types and talents for each sport. Accept it. The US has it's best players on the field…it comes down to coaching, a bag of tricks, strategy and YEARS of playing quality ball to understand style of play and keeping up with clubs that have been playing the sport for decades upon decades. Seriously…you only prove how short-sighted you are when commenting with thoughts like that. Save it.
Mlip16

England why could you not beat the US. At least you tied. I am an American, and I hate soccer; sorry futeball. I refuse to call it Football. Football means the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Peyton Manning, Walter Payton, etc. I think you get my point. However, you gave America hope. Don't get me wrong 99% of American don't give a shit about the world cup or if America wins. However, you would have won then the marketing campaign for futeball in the US would slowly die for at least 4 years. I could enjoy my summer of watching mindless baseball highlights without haveing to watch boring world cup highlights, listen to jackasses talk about why the world cup is the greatest sporting event ever without the regard to the fact that 99% of American don't give a shit. England if you could have won futeball would once again be shown on some obsure fox sports station in between SEC Spring football games, and the Oxygen network.

Don't get me wrong England I hope you win the World Cup. You are my favorite country besides America. I know it is a big deal to you, but to 99% of Americans we don't care. So the next time you have a chance to beat the US in futeball please do. Win by 15 and let me enjoy summer sports without being force fed this boring game.

Also, If the World Cup is such a big deal why is the trophey the size of junior league baseball participation trophey, and why isn't it an actual cup? At least you can drink out of the Stanley Cup.
http://www.soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

I've been waiting for a meatball comment like this one to be coughed up. First of all, soccer is called football because it's played with the feet. NFL Football is played with the hands so should be called “HandBall”.

99% of Americans do not hate football. If they did, ABC would not have invested $100's millions on the off chance that someone would watch. They did it because they KNEW they had an audience. As you stated yourself, “mindless baseball highlights” are the staple diet at this time of the year but your words, not mine.

I don't bash other sports because I don't understand them. Football, our football, not your “handball” will never rise to the level of baseball, basketball or the other traditional sports in the USA, and frankly, we don't care. It will grow on it's own if it's good enough, and it is growing. Check participation numbers at your local high school. You'll find our football at number 2 or 3.

I love the fact that you believe that trophy size indicated the level of a sports importance. Great to see you have such an astute way of looking at the sporting world.

Your meatballs are getting cold…………………………….