I couldn’t be happier about being wrong. Nevertheless, I’m compelled to point out that, despite the score, England were the better team on the pitch. It was only the incredibly poor fortune of hapless English goalkeeper Robert Green that allowed the American goal and draw.
The first half pace was shockingly fast in both directions. The US seemed to be trying to exploit the perceived weakness of England’s defense by sending frequent early balls from their defensive half into the attacking space, hoping that forwards Jozy Altidore or Robbie Findley could run onto them. Wayne Rooney was nearly invisible in the first half, with the early goal coming from Steven Gerrard off of an Emile Heskey assist, and Heskey providing most of the remaining English attack.
I had doubts early on that even the very fit US team would be able to maintain that pace for 90 minutes, but both teams slowed the pace in the second half and began to let the ball do more of the work. Rooney played a much more prominent role in the second half, finding space and opportunities both on and off the ball and making life difficult for US center defender Oguchi Onyewu. Only the consistently impeccable positioning of US goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the US alive in the second half against a relentless English barrage.
It’s a much needed point for the US, and could spark their confidence for what will almost certainly now be an appearance in the Round of 16.
My prediction was: England. Final result: 1-1.
