Article by contributor Peter NealI work with a group of Englishmen. I asked those fellows why Clint Dempsey seems to burn so much brighter playing for Fulham rather than the United States. They responded simply: “Fulham is more talented.” While we there can be no dispute that Bobby Zamora, Dickson Etuhu and Jonathan Greening are fine players, I don’t think they are superior to the cast of the US National team. That type of contempt and lack of respect is just a sample of how the American National team is largely viewed. There seems to be a big brother/little brother relationship between the Three Lions and Uncle Sam’s Army. The meeting this Saturday will be an interesting depiction of the status of both countries.
England features international stars Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Coach Fabio Capello has installed a dogged approach of high pressure and efficiency in attack. England were very impressive in qualifying and include enough offensive firepower to have dreams of a long tourney run. A goal of a Semifinal appearance is a realistic one for England. The midfield is solid and Rooney’s sterling form has given him a rightful place along side Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Xavi Hernandez on the top tier of world football. But England are not
without their faults. Goalkeeper has been a problem spot since David Seaman got chipped from 40 yards by Ronaldinho. Paul Robinson being undone by a gopher hole in Croatia helped keep them at home during Euro 2008. They will likely start with Robert Green or David James in goal. That duo is about as dynamic as John Kerry during his presidential run. In addition, mounting injury concerns and former Captain John Terry treating the England WAGS like his personal Gold Club would give any English fan cause for concern (pause).The most important player for the US may not be stars Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey or Landon Donovan, but the coach’s
son, Michael Bradley. Coming off another successful club season, the younger Bradley is the kind of tough, combative midfielder who could disrupt England. Last year in South Africa Jozy Altidore proved he can be the focal point leading the attack. The problem for America is the back line. Oguchi Onyewu is a key man for America. He spent a year on the AC Milan training table and has offered to play for free next season. Not a great sign. Even worse was watching him play against Australia. Onyewu looked like the last rounds of a Jenga Puzzle. Teetering side to side, dragging his leg around behind him Chris Webber style.My fear for Team USA would be conceding an early goal. England settle down after scoring. Similar to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Capello’s boys seem distinctly better when playing with the lead. They also have the ability to make life very hard on less skilled opponents. But the US will be the athletically superior team. Dempsey and Donovan both showed the ability to create goals out of nothing and America may need such a goal. My English co-workers stated opinions lead me to believe the English feel very confident. That confidence can turn quickly to pressure with a level score line. If the Stars and Stripes can make life hard on the English, keep the score level or take the lead early, then some of the ghosts of English doubt may begin to creep. I heard an English journalist say losing this game to America would be worse than having lost the Falklands War to Argentina. Tune in Saturday for what is being touted as the most watched football match in the history of American television.
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what is soccer?
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