Group C: USA on track to qualify but will have to earn it

It was looking as if the Algeria v Slovenia game was going exactly the way the US wanted, a lackluster goalless draw. But then the Algerian keeper did his best Robert Green impersonation and gave Slovenia an undeserved goal and the three points which went with it. Slovenia now tops the group and with the [...]

USA-England – A Point Earned

All of the focus after the game has been on Robert Green’s shocking error in front of the England goal. In the press, especially in the English press, Green will be depicted as the man that deprived England of a victory. While Green makes an easy scapegoat, and should be criticized for the error, the [...]

England – Mexico Analysis And What it Means for 6-12

Was that England-Mexico or USA-Mexico? One of the main differences was actually that the US usually has a bit more of the ball against the Mexicans than England did. In fact, the totality of Mexico’s domination in the first half was rather striking. Yet England’s 3-1 victory also had all the hallmarks of a US [...]

England’s World Cup Flaw: A Team Without Ball Winners

Scanning Fabio Capello’s 30 man provisional England World Cup squad there is, buried under all the midfield talent, one major hole in a team filled with stars – there is no defensive force in the midfield. This is a significant flaw and is one that may prevent England from lifting the cup in South Africa. [...]

Beckham’s Injury May Effect Landon Donovan’s Summer Plans

By rupturing his Achilles yesterday playing with AC Milan, David Beckham’s World Cup dreams are over. This, in footballing terms is not that great of a blow to England, as the Guardian’s Rob Smyth dryly notes. But this is a big blow for MLS and to the LA Galaxy who have now likely lost Becks [...]

Injury bug bites England as Beckham ruptures Achilles

England’s injury woes depended today as David Beckham ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for AC Milan. Beckham hobbled off after he went down without contact and him being officially ruled out of the World Cup is now just a formality. With Aaron Lennon having setback after setback as he attempts to return to fitness, Fabio Capello looked [...]

Scouting the Enemy: Analysis of England-Egypt

Watching the England-Egypt game there are reasons for the US to both feel good and feel nervous. While the 3-1 scorline against the African champions is certainly impressive, England was on the back foot for much of the first half and the 1-0 lead that Egypt took in at halftime was probably deserved. However, the [...]

Britain’s embarrassing xenophobia on “cheaters” holding them back

Its something that every non-British English speaking soccer fan knows all too well: in the eyes of the British, only foreigners cheat. We all remember the uproar surrounding David N’Gog’s blatant dive against Birmingham a few weeks back. Compare that furor to the tidal wave of criticism total silence on Wayne Rooney’s plunge against Villa [...]

World Cup 2010: How to beat England

While there are no easy games in the World Cup, unquestionably the most difficult game for the US in Group C will be the opener against England. As I said yesterday, points earned in this game are mostly a bonus as the US has a quite manageable path to the second round even if it [...]

English Press Fail

The English press are certainly not renowned for their accuracy – particularly when it comes to football. So this “exclusive” from the Mirror shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: USA set to steal England’s preferred World Cup training base due to Fabio Capello’s indecision. The BBC Gossip page picked it up as well. The [...]

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