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As one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup prepares to get underway, here are five reasons you should watch the game.

1.  High stakes for England - The last time England won the World Cup was in 1966, when they hosted the finals. They've been to 12 World Cups, have only raised the coveted trophy once. English fans are eager to prove in this century that they have the skills to be called the best in the world.  Two nights ago, I met with avid English soccer fan Steve Walker who kindly took me into the world of English soccer the best we could on a patio having tea and appies. Steve, a young boy at the time, recalls with clear vividness and excitement the day England won the World Cup, just like it was yesterday. He also remembers thinking that it would happen again the following tournament, and it never has.  For the ever loyal England fans, they wait in anticipation and for another World Cup victory to break their 44 year drought.

2.  Score to settle - 60 years ago at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, the U.S. underdog beat the English 1-0 in one of soccer's all time upsets.  Perhaps one of England's biggest disappointments in World Cup history, they would like to trump the U.S. with a victory in 2010, getting the 1950 monkey off their back and earning them the bragging rights to back up their 8th World ranking over the 14th ranked U.S.

3.  Drama - England is a legitimate contender and the U.S. is the underdog. The US have been to the last five World Cups and played in a total of 25 World Cup matches with a 6-3-16 record. Regarded as a force, England has played over twice as many games as the U.S., tallying a total of 55 World Cup matches and a 25-10-16 record. Another interesting point is that the Americans invested in a plan, called Project 2010 in 1998 aimed at ensuring that the men's team could be a legitimate contender for the World Cup by 2010. Legitimate contender? Ranked 14th in the world, we'll just have to wait and see how they match up on the pitch.  If the Americans lose, it's forgivable and expected, if the English lose, they might want to stay in the locker room.

4.  Wayne Rooney - Will he lose it? All eyes will be on the hot tempered Premier Player for Manchester United and English forward Wayne Rooney who has recently been flagged for unleashing his potty mouth at the referees.   Will England's number one player get himself and his team into trouble, harassing the officials rather than using his anger to put pressure on his opponents?  We'll just have to wait and see if Rooney has the control to keep his mouth clean, while only his cleats pick up the dirt.

5.  Gives you a reason to have an English beer and cheer.

 
Enjoy watching England play at pubs in Vancouver. 

Some of those 'English' spots include the Blarney Stone in Gastown, who are the unofficial England headquarters, the Library Square pub, and we'll be live on CBC from the Three Lions Cafe on Broadway and Quebec.

Let me know how you are celebrating the World Cup or if you consider yourself a FANatic! Tweet or email me your World Cup festivities, coreena007 or coreena@journalist.com