world cup 2010 match preview: England vs United States

When England entered their first World Cup in 1950, they went down to a famous 1-0 defeat at the hands of the amateurs of USA in a match that became known as the ‘Miracle on Grass’.The game has come a long way in America since that match and, while most firmly expect an England victory in Rustenburg on Saturday, an upset would hardly be viewed as miraculous.England have mixed feelings going into the 2010 tournament. While Fabio Capello has turned the team around following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008, winning all but one of his competitive matches, the disjointed performances in the warm-up games for South Africa have done little to inspire confidence.

USA, though, have also struggled to convince during their warm-up matches, and it is largely the memories of last year’s 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup that will provide hope of a win in what represents a huge match for both countries.”For the last six months, all we’ve seen is US-England, so if you’re a casual sports fan at home you might think this is the World Cup final,” USA star Landon Donovan said in his press conference ahead of the game.

“We’re not like Brazil where if they don’t win the World Cup soccer is still the biggest thing in anyone’s mind, but this is a great opportunity to grow the sport.”USA could adopt a 4-5-1 formation for the match with Jozy Altidore as a lone striker, with Japan enjoying success against England using the same formation as they dominated the midfield battle. With Donovan and Clint Dempsey out wide, the tactic would not be overly defensive.England have largely used 4-4-2, and a change seems unlikely at this stage, but it was only when Joe Cole was brought on as a substitute against Japan that England were able to compete in the middle, so Capello’s hand may be forced.USA coach Bob Bradley has said all 23 players in his squad are ready to play the full 90 minutes, although Oguchi Onyewu’s lack of match practice in recent months remains a concern. For England, Gareth Barry’s absence could prove problematic given the lack of an alternative holding midfielder in the squad.England player in focus: Aaron Lennon. England’s right winger has often been central to hopes of unlocking opposition defences and, while Joe Cole should offer creativity from the left, Lennon could become the focus if his team struggle. He’ll come up against an experienced opponent in USA captain Carlos Bocanegra, the former Fulham man who now plays in Ligue 1 with Rennes, so Fabio Capello will hope the Tottenham man can rediscover his pre-injury form on the big stage.USA player in focus: Landon Donovan.

This pacy attacker is very much the star of the USA team and he can provide a real threat out wide, frequently swapping flanks with Fulham’s Clint Dempsey. The English defenders will be fully aware of his capabilities following his loan stint with Everton earlier this year, and Ashley Cole may be a little wary of facing the man whose tackle nearly ruled him out of the tournament. If Donovan gets a chance to play on the left flank, Glen Johnson will need to curtail his natural instinct to support the attack.Key battle: Wayne Rooney v Oguchi Onyewu. Rooney finally ended an international goal drought with his strike in the warm-up match against Platinum Stars, but he may have the chance to really kick-start his England career on Saturday. USA centre back Onyewu, the former Newcastle loanee, joined AC Milan from Standard Liege last summer but made just one appearance in Serie A after suffering a knee injury on international duty. USA coach Bob Bradley believes Onyewu is fit to play the full 90 minutes but, as he has not appeared in any of the warm-up games, it is essential that he gets back up to speed from the off.Trivia: England boss Fabio Capello gave USA coach Bob Bradley some help and insights into the world of management during his time at AC Milan in the 1990s.Stats: Wayne Rooney was involved in more goals than any other player in Europe during the qualification campaign, with nine goals and five assists. USA have not kept a clean sheet in a World Cup finals match since beating England 1-0 in 1950.Odds: England (1.50), the draw (4.20), USA (7.00) with Bet365. USA are 15.00 to win 1-0, which could be worth a flutter.Prediction: USA showed they are capable of causing shocks in the Confederations Cup last year, and their experience in South Africa may give them an advantage in terms of adapting to the altitude. However, England are firm favourites for the match and should have enough to clinch a victory.

Wayne Rooney hits a hat-trick

Avram Grant’s reign at Chelsea ended with defeat on penalties to Manchester United and his first game in charge of Portsmouth saw Red Devils forward Wayne Rooney score two crucial spot-kicks within his hat-trick at Fratton Park.Grant, who has taken over from Paul Hart and will be rubber-stamped as manager next week when paperwork is completed, could not have asked for a tougher opening game than against the Barclays Premier League champions but there was hope of a result when Kevin-Prince Boateng levelled, also with a penalty.

Sir Alex Ferguson served the first half of his two-match touchline ban for criticising referee Alan Wiley and he may ask why Mike Dean awarded Pompey their penalty – but he will have no complaints with the way Rooney wrapped up the points after the break. Ryan Giggs added the fourth late on.

Grant and Ferguson last faced each other 18 months ago during the Champions League final in Moscow when John Terry lost his footing in the penalty shoot-out and Chelsea let the European crown slip away.

There was a downpour on this occasion too. This time Grant was in charge of a team that started the weekend bottom of the league and three points from their nearest rivals, while Ferguson was looking to gain ground on leaders Chelsea.If Pompey have a fighting chance of staying up Grant will need the players left over from a fire sale over the last year – but he was denied the service of England goalkeeper David James due to a calf injury and Asmir Begovic started.For United, it was a case of whether Ferguson’s absence in the dressing room would be a factor, although he had communication lines in place to assistant Mike Phelan and was hoping the din at Pompey’s “rickety” stadium would not drown him out.

Sat next to chief executive David Gill in the directors’ box, Ferguson saw his side enjoy plenty of possession early on and press when the hosts were on the ball.Paul Scholes had the first effort of the match, firing over when Giggs rolled a corner to the edge of the penalty area where his team-mate was left unmarked.Pompey threatened within a minute and Tomasz Kuszczak, in because Edwin van der Sar had a knock to his knee, was required to block bravely when a ball was lobbed over the top of United’s defence and found Aruna Dindane.

Encouraged by this opening, Dindane also fired wide from long distance and headed off-target when unmarked from Jamie O’Hara’s cross. O’Hara himself had an effort tipped over after Frederic Piquionne nodded in his direction on the edge of the area.Despite the Pompey attacks, United were ahead in the 25th minute through Rooney.Antonio Valencia burst forward and exchanged passes with Rooney, and when the winger pulled the ball back for his team-mate in the penalty area, the England forward waited for a clumsy challenge to arrive from Michael Brown.

Dean pointed to the spot immediately and Rooney tucked away the penalty.Pompey were level, however, on the half-hour mark, although why Dean awarded it was open to debate. Kuszczak climbed above Piquionne, who appeared to have his shirt pulled by Nemanja Vidic.With United in shock, Boateng smashed in the penalty after missing against Stoke last time out.Pompey enjoyed a spell of pressure before the break but United were ahead three minutes after the restart.There was nothing controversial about this effort, just Giggs weighting the ball perfectly through Pompey’s defence for Rooney to place his finish home, his 10th of the season for United.

His hat-trick came in the 54th minute, from the penalty spot. Piquionne was penalised for fouling Giggs – and Rooney sent Begovic the wrong way from 12 yards.

Valencia could have added to the goals when he waltzed through the Pompey defence.Boateng had Pompey’s best chance to get back in the game but he fired over from a promising position, and there would be no way back for Grant’s menGiggs netted with a free-kick three minutes from full-time for their fourth goal, while John Utaka hit the crossbar with a scissors-kick at the death for Pompey.