ENGLAND MISCUE LEADS TO DRAW WITH USA

Heading into the 2010 World Cup, the biggest concern among England fans was their goaltending situation.  That proved to be prescient as the USA took advantage of a blunder by goalkeeper Robert Green to salvage a 1-1 draw in the Group C opener for both teams.  England got on the board quickly with Steven Gerrard’s goal just four minutes in to give his team a 1-0 advantage.  They held that lead until Green’s miscue allowed the USA to even the score on Clint Dempsey’s goal right before halftime.

Soccer betting odds tabbed England as a hefty -250 to beat the USA, not surprising given their status as the third favorite to win the entire tournament.  Takeback on the United States was a generous +650 while the winning position on the draw earned bettors a +310 payout.  The low scoring contest was something of a surprise given the defensive concerns for both sides, and the two goals scored went UNDER the posted total of 2’.  

Statistically, England controlled the game and held a significant edge in shots (18-12) and time of possession (57% to 43%).  At the start of the game, it looked like as if England would have an easy time of things when Steven Gerrard scored from short range just four minutes into the contest.  Clint Dempsey evened the score when his shot from 25 yards out was bobbled by England keeper Robert Green.  Green has since become a scapegoat in the UK media, with scathing newspaper headlines such as ‘Hand of Clod’ in reference to Diego Maradona’s legendary goal for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup that became known as the ‘Hand of God’ goal.

US goalkeeper Tim Howard suggested that his team would take more from the draw than England:

"We'll take more out of a draw than they will. They're going to feel like they should have won the game."

Landon Donovan suggested that his team could have won the contest:

"I think a lot of us came off the field satisfied with this result, but maybe a little disappointed we didn't get more out of the game.”

England keeper Green tried to put on a brave face when asked about his blunder:

"Mentally we're strong enough to get over it and as a goalkeeper these things happen. You prepare yourself for not letting it affect you."

Steven Gerrard tried to put a positive spin on the result:

"It was a difficult game. I think the important thing in the first game is not to lose. Unfortunately, we've let a poor goal in and we couldn't go on and get the winner."

England will try and get in the win column on Friday when they take on Algeria.  They’ll be under a good deal of pressure to earn full points in both this contest and their final group game against Slovenia.  The USA will play Slovenia on Friday followed by Algeria on June 23.