USA 1, England 1: Post Match Analysis

The most highly anticipated match in US Soccer history turned out to be one for the history books.  After an all to familiar start that saw Steve Gerrard score easily past Tim Howard in the 4th minute, the US looked well on its way to a consecutive poor start in World Cup play.  England looked crisp, sharp, and composed, the USA looked awed, uninspired, and plainly enough, not ready.  After another agonizing 36 minutes for US fans which saw few chances go by the wayside, Clint Dempsey took an ambitious and seemingly simple shot from about 22 yards, which England keeper Robert Green looked to have all but saved, but then he misjudged it and bumbled it into his own net.  1-1.  New life for the Yanks.  England was stunned.  I was stunned.  The childish mistake from Green allowed the US to escape with a point and their World Cup lives well in hand.  The second half saw the US concede quite a bit of possession, but never any great opportunities.  Tim Howard stopped shot after shot and the USA would've pulled the unbelievable had Rob Green not halfway redeemed himself on a Jozy Altidore chance in the latter stages of the half.  Wayne Rooney nearly pulled something from nothing with an absolute cannon of a shot that blasted just wide of Tim Howard's goal.  As it stands, the US is undefeated in World Cup play against England...nice!!!

The biggest test is over, but now a brand new one presents itself.  A sneaky Slovenia team lies in wait tomorrow for its Algerian counterparts, both who know that should a winner emerge from that match that they'll be 2 points clear of the group favorites.  England get a chance to right the ship against Algeria next, while the US faces Slovenia on the 18th.

On to the player ratings:

Tim Howard- 8 - Couldn't do anything about Gerrard's goal, and past that, was an absolute rock.  If there's one player on top of his game in this World Cup, he's in the US' net.  Scary moment after the Heskey challenge, but Howard is in beast mode.

Steve Cherundolo- 7- Another player who impressed me tremendously.  The always savvy and steady veteran gave James Milner such a hard time that Fabio Capello was compelled to remove Milner after just 30 minutes.  Got forward well and defended with aplomb.  Solid effort today.

Jay DeMerit- 8 - Was an absolute bulldog in defense.  Shutting down Wayne Rooney is no small task and the former Watford captain will have himself a new home soon enough should he continue this kind of performance.

Oguchi Onyewu- 8 - All the doubts and questions have been resoundingly answered.  Gooch battled Heskey and Crouch for 97 minutes and didn't concede an inch.  A couple instances of rust (England goal, should've stepped quicker to Rooney to deny the entry pass, and got caught to far up field, allowing Heskey a 1v1 with Howard ), but after all was said and done, big marks for the big man today. 

Carlos Bocanegra- 6.5 - Did anyone really expect the aging Captain America to go toe-to-toe with Aaron Lennon for 90 minutes?  No.  Bocanegra defended smartly, not allowing Lennon the flank, but conceded the inside channel in the hope that he'd find support from the midfield or centerbacks.  All in all, a stout performance from Bocanegra.

Landon Donovan- 6.5 - Really wanted to see more from Donovan in the match as he didn't really put his mark in save for a few exceptional set piece deliveries and the early Altidore chance.  Did put in work defensively and his passing is always top notch.

Michael Bradley- 6.5 - The boy sweatpants was stout as always in central midfield and effectively shushed up Frank Lampard for the majority of the match.  His passing was soft early on but improved as the match progressed.

Ricardo Clark- 5 - The one low spot in the US starting 11.  Clark lost Gerrard on his goal, was caught out of position on other occasions.  Seemed a bit nervous with his touches, but his defense, when he's in the proper position, is always pretty good.

Clint Dempsey- 7 - "If you don't shoot, you're never going to score." That phrase rings so true for Dempsey's game today.  Was active throughout in offense and even put in some work defensively.  The goal was a gift, but like he said post match, they all count the same.

Robbie Findley- 5 - You can run and run to the end of the world, but his touch and inability to keep possession are quickly becoming his downfall.

Jozy Altidore- 7.5 - Was a workhorse up top and forced Ledley King out of the game at halftime and beat up on Jamie Carragher in the second.  Probably should've netted his opportunity, but Green did well to tip it on to the post.

SUBS

Edson Buddle- 6 - Immediately brought a new physical presence to the game, and won quite a few headers and kept possession well.  He's my pick to start against Slovenia.

Stuart Holden- 6 - Defended well for the last 10 minutes and probably should've done better on his late cross.

More analysis later...for now, enjoy the result.