On Saturday, the US National Team will kick off against England in the World Cup. It is no surprise that this one match is the most anticipated game in US Soccer history, and it certainly is the one that brings the most intrigue.
The two largest factors driving soccer in America are the US National Team and the English Premier League. Despite the best efforts of Major League Soccer, the current dominant professional league in America – at least in terms of fan following and interest – is the EPL. The EPL is packed with the best players in the world and some of the best teams in the world. Add to it a shared Western culture and language and it’s not surprise why the EPL is heavily favored in America among soccer fans.
Now, add in the nature of the relationship between America and England – a relationship that goes back for hundreds of years. Currently, England is America’s biggest ally politically and militarily. There is a shared interest and respect from both sides of the pond, yet at the same time, the relationship is rife with rivalry and competition. The best way to describe the England-America relationship would be that of brothers – teenage brothers for that matter.
Respect, admiration, and trust coupled with rivalry, jealousy, and competition. It shouldn’t have to be said, but this will be a game for the ages.
***U.S. TV Listings Below***
The opening day the World Cup kicks off tomorrow at 9:30am EST with a game between host nation South Africa and USA rival Mexico.
Both these teams will come into this game with high expectations. Mexico, because they are finally starting to put the pieces together and are looking to be quite a formidable team; and South Africa, because they will be carrying the hopes of a nation. We’ve seen what being the host country can do for a team in the World Cup: England and France both won their only Cups when it was held in their home nation, South Korea made it to the semi-finals in 2002, and team USA made it to the knockout stage in 1994 when expectations were as low as they could be.
Mexico is the better team and is expected to be one of the two from Group A to advance to the knock-out stage, but don’t count out South Africa riding the energy and passion of the home crowd. Still I expect Mexico to pull out the victory: 2-1.
The second game of the day pits 1998 champs France vs South American contenders Uruguay.
and why the American’s just might also.
Spain crushed Poland 6-0 in their final World Cup warm-up match. Yes, Poland is not a world power, but look at this video of Spain’s second goal. The ball control and movement within such a small space is unbelievable, and if Spain can play like this throughout the whole tournament, they will undoubtedly lift the trophy.
So where do the American’s fit in in all of this? Their victory over largely the exact same Spain side just one year ago. The rosters for both the Americans and Spain are almost identical to what they were in the 2009 Confederations Cup where the U.S. pulled off a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals.
The USA played a fantastic game on that day, and they beat the World number 1. Now, heading into the Cup, they have proven to themselves and the world that they can beat anyone on any given day.
David Beckham is in South Africa with the England National Team. David Beckham is playing soccer in South Africa with the England National Team.
No, he won’t be playing in any World Cup games, instead, Becks has been acting as ambassador, scout, mascot, etc. for the Team England while he is sidelined with an Achilles injury.
However, that didn’t stop David from playing a little footie at the Team England practice today. Of course, he wasn’t supposed to be playing, but is that going to stop him? No. What about if the doctors who told him he couldn’t play are standing right next to him? Would that stop him? Of course not.
Check out this hilarious video of Becks kicking a ball around and getting yelled at for doing so.
This is great, but at the same time I feel bad for the guy. He obviously wants to be playing in this World Cup more than anything, and despite the fact that he must still be in pain, wants nothing more than to kick a ball around.
The guy’s love for the game is unquestioned.
Check out this hilarious video featuring stars like Snoop Dog, Jay Baruchel and Noel Gallagher as they navigate their way through the cantina scene in Star Wars.
Franz Beckenbauer makes a cameo appearance, and the video ends on a high note with David Beckham and a cheeky Los Angeles Galaxy pun.
There is just something about the World Cup that brings out the best in everyone! Love it.
A great story from the BBC today. Apparently, 10 workers at a bar in Manchester, England have all applied for an official name change. Their new name? Wayne Rooney.
That’s right everybody. In their support for the England during the World Cup, staffers have all changed their name to Wayne Rooney. Except for one that is. The bar manager has changed his name to Fabio Capello. This makes sense considering he is the bar manager and Capello is the England manager.
The BBC story says, “Barmaid Wayne Rooney, aka Katie Hyett, told the BBC her family had yet to hear about her new moniker. ‘I haven’t told them yet, it’s still a surprise,” the 24-year-old said. But my boyfriend is a bit shocked I’m now Wayne. He’s a Liverpool fan so he’s been sleeping on the sofa in protest.’”
Check out the full story here: Manchester bar staff in Rooney name change
UPDATE!!! CLICK HERE FOR USA VS ENGLAND WORLD CUP MATCH PREVIEW
Two conflicting news stories out of England prove that nothing is certain when it comes to the World Cup.
First, the Telegraph has a story about how England should expect easy victory over the USA quoting soon-to-be Turkey head coach Guus Hiddink, “They can fight, they can work hard, but I know England. They are at a higher level.” Kevin Garside, author of the piece adds, “the Americans possess a creative component sufficient in potency to trouble any, if only they are bold enough to trust it.”
Meanwhile just across town, the Sun is running a story that opens with the words “Be afraid, England. Be very afraid.” The article goes on to say, “What was scary was not so much the fact that Bob Bradley’s men finally settled into a South African groove… It was that they have suddenly developed a confident cutting edge.”
Fabio Capello has announced who made the final cut for the England National Team World Cup roster.
Goalkeepers
Robert Green, Joe Hart, David James
Defenders
Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock
Midfielders
Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips
Forwards
Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney
No real surprises here. Perhaps Shaun Wright-Phillips over Theo Walcott. But in the end, neither of those two would be competing for the starting spot, though it had been looking like Walcott was making a surge to be a key player for England this year.
What do you think? Does the US have a chance? Anyone left off? Any surprises?
There is a reason this video has captured the record as the biggest viral video every, earning more that 7 million views in the first week.
The video’s production value is through the roof, and this video not only contains some of the biggest soccer stars, but it also adds a movie star and two other major athletes (one of which is Kobe Bryant). Be on the lookout for a few American players thrown in!
I love how the stock market crashes because Wayne Rooney makes a mistake. Glorious.
photo credit: Arturo J. Paniagua
Reports out of Spain suggest that Raul will be heading to Major League Soccer this Summer, specifically to the New York Red Bulls.
He has fallen in the depth chart at Madrid, not surprising considering his age and the new strikers that Madrid seems to sign on a weekly basis.
Raul has previously stated his desire to play in America, and this could be the perfect time for the 32 year old to make the change. MLS has instituted the designated player rule allowing for a player’s salary to be as large as the team wants and not have it count against the salary cap, and NY has the DP slot to make the move. Let’s hope a deal can be reached
Juan Pablo Angel and Raul leading the attack for the Red Bulls? Wow.
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