England 1-1 USA: World Cup Analysis

In a tense encounter in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, England did their level best to make USA look like a decent outfit. Even Fabio Capello weighed in by selecting the talentless Emile Heskey as partner in attack to Wayne Rooney. It had started perfectly for England when Steven Gerrard converted Heskey's one and only purposeful pass. Despite this incisive piece of play, England were awful both in general play and in their approach to the game. As the first half progressed the United States began to control the possession and at least tried to pass the ball in a positive fashion, even though it yielded little result. With Gerrard and Frank Lampard in midfield, England were unable to retain the ball or put USA under sustained pressure. Lampard in particular had a shocking performance as time and again he strayed forward out of position, forcing the dangerous Rooney back into midfield to get possession and create a balance to the team. More often than not England resorted to a long ball game. Neither Gerrard nor Lampard offered an option for the defenders, who instead had to launch it high towards Heskey. The inability of the central midfielders to control the game was costly as it also limited the influence that Aaron Lennon and the two full-backs could have on the match as they were starved of possession. In simple terms, England were shapeless. Capello seemed to be utterly devoid of an intelligent game plan as he failed to change the obvious problem; the lack of service to Wayne Rooney. James Milner started the game poorly due in part to illness and was surprisingly replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips, not the creative Joe Cole or Adam Johnson.

As the game approached half-time Clint Dempsey moved in field onto a pass and took a speculative shot on goal from distance and without genuine power. The England goalkeeper Robert Green made a cardinal error as he failed to get his body behind the ball which meant that any handling mishap would almost certainly result in a goal. Cue the mishap and the embarrassment and the teams were level. English hearts sank at the sight of another goalkeeping clanger.

As the teams emerged for the second half it was discovered that Ledley KIng could take no further part in central defence for England and he was replaced by Jamie Carragher. The same pattern persisted throughout most of the second period, as a poor quality American side tried in vain to create something positive, while an England team brimming with talent failed to gel at all. 

The game eventually became more open as the players tired and England showed some signs of strength as they pursued the winning goal in the dying minutes. Emile Heskey, who had missed a good opportunity was replaced by Peter Crouch who proved to be similarly ineffective. Rooney began to get more possession and saw a wonderful strike go just past the far post. He then played a nicely weighted pass for Wright-Phillips who struck a dismal shot straight at Tim Howard in the American goal. Steven Gerrard began taking more control near the end as he sent in a dangerous cross and made some good runs. In an isolated attack for the USA, Jozy Altidore outpaced Carragher and drove menacingly into the box. Robert Green, despite being hopelessly out of position somehow managed to get a hand to the shot and diverted it onto the post and eventually the ball was cleared. The game ended 1-1.

Tim Howard: 6/10 Everton's number one was steady as ever and made a couple of decent saves but England will feel he was under worked.

Oguchi Oniewu: 6/10 A.C. Milan's defender showed good awareness of danger and led his team mates well. Part of a well organised defence.

Clint Dempsey: 5/10 The Fulham midfielder had little impact on the game except for being the fortunate beneficiary from Green's mistake. He worked hard and showed intelligence.

Landon Donovan: 5/10 The star of L.A. Galaxy was less than a star in South Africa. He showed some tidy touches but struggled against Ashley Cole.

Jozy Altidore: 5/10 The Villarreal man had to feed on scraps but forged one good chance for himself which saw his shot put onto the post by Green. He should have more influence in the remaining group games.

Robert Green: 0/10 The West Ham stopper played potentially his last game for England as his unforgivable howler cost England a goal. He looked uncomfortable thereafter.

Glen Johnson: 5/10 The Liverpool full back was not helped by his team mates and was unable to influence the game in the way he can.

Aaron Lennon: 6/10 The Spurs winger looked dangerous whenever he got the ball which was despicably rarely.

Steven Gerrard: 7/10 The captain clinically scored in the opening minutes to settle the team. He was forced to sit deeper than normal as Lampard went forward but was by far the better of the two midfielders. 

Frank Lampard: 4/10 Chelsea's talisman is unprepared to change his game for the good of the team and his game against USA was brainless. He went forward constantly, disregarding the essential need for shape in England's play. The team is crying out for a controlling playmaker in the mold of Paul Scholes.

Wayne Rooney: 6/10 The Manchester United forward contributed when he could but was starved of service. As the game went on he found himself going further back to get involved. For a nation who has pinned their hopes on Rooney, they really should have told his selfish team mates.

Emile Heskey: 5/10 The Villa substitute put his body on the line and tried his best, just a pity it's not good enough. A poor man's Kevin Davies.

No team has ever won the World Cup playing like Stoke City and that's exactly the type of unambitious style that England have adopted. It seems as though Capello has realized his players are not good enough to play attractive football, and so, is content to play ugly and reach the quarter finals or semi finals where they will bow out.

I expected more from the United States in an attacking sense but I was not surprised by their intelligence and tactically effective approach. However, in their next two games they will be favourites and I am unconvinced that this team can live up to such a burden. It will be difficult, but they may just squeeze into the last 16.