Soccer SuperFans

By: Mark Oxer, Winnipeg

 
I watched this game in a sports bar in the northern USA, as the USA border is only a few hours away I thought it would be exciting to wear my England colors in the USA on day of "the most important game is USA soccer history".
 
Robert Green made an error, move on. How about moving on to late in the game when he stopped close 1 vs 1 opportunity and held the score to 1-1. This shows character and speaks louder about who he is, unfortunately highlight reels will say otherwise. Green joined a list on English goalkeepers who have made costly mistakes today; David Seaman 2002, Scott Carson 2008, and David "Calamity" James (many to choose from).

I will be honest and say I was surprised to see him start (and I am not saying this only because of his mistake) but rather do to the fact the Joe Hart is one of the best young goal keepers around, not just in England.
 
England looked to play the initial part of the game calm and confident. It was the most relaxed I had seen them play in a while. The goal by Captain Steven Gerrard 4 min in, silenced the Emile Heskey critics as he played his role well as a target player who will lay the ball off. I was surprised to see Milner and King make the starting roster and was pleased when they were replaced with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jamie Carragher.

I was disappointed to see it take so long for Crouch to come into the game as well. England controlled the majority of the second half, and both teams were having trouble making quality contact on the ball in the air inside the 18, so why not put Crouch in who specializes in heading the ball on target?

I give full credit to the USA squad for living up to all the hype and not folding under pressure. I was surprised not to see Buddle start, but no surprises anywhere else. I have to give Man of the Match to Tim Howard. He faced 18 shots in the game and was equal to the challenge, in addition to being the quarter back for the American team.
 
I can not say I was pleased with the England performance overall, but I can live with it and move on to the next game vs Algeria, hopefully so can the team, and England supporters.
 
If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.