Abbey Burger Bistro Redux/ USA v England

According to the rules of the blog, the USA v England game is not designed for comments but for original entries only.

We gathered at the Bistro early Saturday morning and grabbed a table in a strategic corner before the 10 am game. There was a lively group on hand when we arrived to share Nigeria v Argentina but it was pretty obvious that like us, US v England was why most people were there.

At noon Abbey's upper floor opened but a reconnoiter by veteran bar goers Peter and Julie established that we had already secured the best area for our little contingent to watch THE Game. Immediately after the early game, we grabbed two additional chairs meaning we would have a table and six chairs in a protected corner of the first floor for our expected group of nine. Not ideal but a lot better than any other group was going to do.

The game itself was a series of games, there was the first ten minutes of the first half, the rest of the first half and then the second half.

The US team started the contest very tentatively resulting in an early England goal. But our guys settled down quickly and began playing much better, very quickly. The balance of the first half saw the US players show they are much faster, quicker and demonstrably more skilled with the ball at their feet than the overpaid English "stars". The equalizing goal was a testament to weaknesses in the English game: an open shot which spun off the hands of a poorly positioned goal keeper who shrugged off the encounter as if it had no meaning to the result.

The English played much better in the second half, generating pressure in the attacking third and even gaining some opportunities to score but all were skillfully parried by the US Goalkeeper and back line. The US had their chances as well and showed some talented one on one skills within the English penalty area. None were slotted though and the game ended 1-1. I had draw odds so I guess I was happy with the result but I think we should have won this one.

The US players are obviously much better than the world gives us credit for and sometimes, like in the first 10 minutes of this game even better then they themselves seem to believe. The English team was unable to execute their game plan (if they had one) under the one on one pressure of the US team. For a good portion of the game the English failed to win even a single air ball. Altidore, Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, and Tim Howard are World Class players who can play for any team, I also thought Cherundolo played an inspired game, coming forward and providing depth to the US attack, something the England back line clearly could not do. I think Bradley made some fine selections but still has a few gliches. Finding a player to play next to Altidore with Davies hurt maybe the big problem yet to solve. Maybe dropping the second front line player and adding a midfielder would be the answer.

A great start to the tourney and I have my fingers crossed that Bradley will be able to sustain this beginning and get us to the knock out round.