Bernardo's US v England Thoughts

"A draw is a very fair result of that match." A quote from my British office mate today I think sums up the game.

Despite what the Brits (both players and fans) may say publically, I think they are relieved to escape Rustenburg with a 1-1 draw. I don't share some others' belief that the English side is a contender for this WC or even a top ten team. While the US went into the game with many unanswered questions it was England who came out of the game with more unsolved mysteries than the Yanks.

For the Yanks: Is our backline healthy= yes. Is Findley the our #2 striker= no. Should Clarke ever play again= I hope not.

For the Brits: Will their EPL all-star team ever mesh? How many World Cups are they going to try and get out of this aging squad? Do they have anyone who can get Rooney the ball? Should they just play with 11 field players?

Even with these questions, England should make it out of the group easily but then probably get beaten by Ghana in the next round.

But enough about the Brits and on to the Yanks:
My biggest fear going into this game was being humiliated. Maybe England was as good as some people said, and maybe we were no better than our 06 squad. Those fears were amplified when England scored without even breaking a sweat in the 3rd minute. Nightmarish images of Germany 06 flooded my hefewiesen soaked brain.

Looking back, that early goal might have been the best thing for the US. It foroced England to play possum the rest of the half and gave us a chance to get into a rythym. We owned the rest of the first half.

The second half, the Brits came to play and started creating chances. Though I would classify their game as completely uninspired. The US did play inspired and created as many chances as their counterparts ultimately ending in a tie which even Brits think was a fair result.

Changes I'd like to see for the Slovenia match:

Buddle for Findley
Torres for Clarke

Bernardo