US TO FACE ENGLAND IN OPENING ROUND OF WORLD CUP

The United States soccer braintrust was happy with their group seeding after the World Cup draw was announced, though they open the tournament against a formidable foe.  The US will play England to open World Cup play on June 12—the first time they’ve faced the ‘Three Lions’ since a historic upset victory in the 1950 tournament.  After their game against England, the US will play Slovenia and Algeria—two countries that they’ve never faced.

The draw heartened American soccer fans, who think they’ve got a good chance to advance out of the group stage.  Team captain Carlos Bocanegra hopes they’re correct:

"American fans are thinking we should advance out of the group, and I like that. I like how they're thinking. We feel confident as well that this is a group we can get out of."

US coach Bob Bradley added:

"It think it was a very fair group. It gives us an opportunity, you know, to play well and to advance."

US team veteran and current Fox Soccer channel analyst Eric Wynalda likes the seedings as well:

"This is the best draw we've ever had in any World Cup. No disrespect to England, but this is an ideal group for us."

Former US coach Bruce Arena warned against overconfidence:

"For the U.S. it looks to be a positive grouping. But again, let's not count them through yet."

The US has never performed well in World Cup soccer since returning to the competition in 1990.  They’re 3-12-3 in the tournament including a woeful 1-9-2 mark against European teams.  England coach Fabio Capello didn’t mention that and suggested that the US would have a greater preparation advantage due to the lengthy English Premier League schedule:
"I think it's one of the more well-balanced groups. We're going to have to be careful. All the games are difficult and we may start with the toughest game, since the United States will have a lot more time to prepare for the World Cup."
While the 1950 World Cup win for the US is the only official match against England, the two teams have played a number of exhibition contests.  England has held the edge in those, winning 7 of 8 for a combined record of 7-2 against the United States.