YTG Re-View: USA 1-1 ENG

THE GOOD ...
THE GUY IN ORANGE: Tim Howard was the easiest Man of the Match decisions ever with his performance against England. He stopped two point-blank breakaways against Emil Heskey (admittedly not that impressive) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (much more impressive) to save a vital point for the US. His performance was even more impressive given the crack he took from Heskey in the first half. Heskey looked like he might have taken Howard and England defender Rio Ferdinand in one World Cup.
THE US MIDFIELD: Hey, remember that Wayne Rooney guy? Remember the whole "best striker in the world" hype Rooney got before the game? All of that may very well be true, but the US did such a good job defending the midfield and choking off Rooney's supply that the England #10 was a non-factor for most of the game. While he still had some dangerous moments, Rooney's relative silence was no accident.
JOZY'S TIME TO SHINE: Forward Jozy Altidore had the best American scoring chance of the game (and yes, that includes Clint Dempsey's actual goal), using both speed and power to beat Jamie Carragher and put a shot on goal that needed both Robert Green's glove and the goalpoast to stay out. Altidore, still only twenty, is starting to demonstrate the ability to become the true goal-scoring threat the Americans have needed to make the next step on the world's stage.


THE BAD ...
BUTTERFINGERS: OK, let's get it over with. Robert Green's costly fumble was one of the most remarkable blunders I've ever seen. And, even though it earned the US an incredibly-valuable point in the table, I still feel bad for the crucifixion Green is receiving from the English press. Rivalries are rivalries, but no one should have to deal with that.
CAPELLO'S CHOICES: Green's blunder really put a wool cloth over some of the decisions England manager Fabio Capello made. He started with James Milner in midfield as a replacement for the injured Gareth Barry, and Milner (still recovering from a virus) was a liability on the field. Enough that Capello had to remove Barry after only about 30 minutes. Then, oft-injured Ledley King, who Capello started at central defense, had to be pulled off at the half. Absent injury, when a manager has to make two changes before the half, something's gone wrong. And let's not talk about the decision to start Heskey over Crouch ...
ALARM CLOCKS: As in, the American defense needed one at the start of the game. Midfielder Ricardo Clark completely lost track of Steven Gerrard off a throw-in in the fourth minute, and (shockingly enough) Gerrard punished the US with a goal. While the response to the US was admirable, it's never good to spot a team like England a goal.

AND THE STANDING RECORD.
American fans can still puff their chest out and gloat over their English friends. They'll have to modify it a little, from "we beat you" to "we've never lost to you." Flexibility, thy name is soccer. Still, regardless of how fortunate the US equalizer was, the draw was vitally important for the perception of American soccer around the world. If - and only if - they make it out of the group, of course.

THE BIG PICTURE.
In all fairness, the US came out looking a little star-struck, to the point of flubbing the opening kickoff. The opening goal was probably inevitable, given the way the two teams came out. Howard kept the US in the match until the US was able to get their footing and create some offense. Clint Dempsey's equalizer was a lucky shot, to be sure, but at least the Americans were on offense and creating some chances. After the goal, the Americans held their own until the 70th minute or so. During that time, while England had two breakaway shots, Jozy Altidore's run created the best scoring chance of the game, rattling off Green's hand and the goalpoast. US coach Bob Bradley pretty clearly made the decision with about 20 minutes left to play for the point, and was successful.

THE NEXT GAME.
USA - Slovenia. The Charlie Brown squad got a late win over Algeria, giving them all three points and putting them in first place in Group C. The Slovenians have experience in must-win games, beating heavily-favored Russia in a playoff to make the World Cup Finals. With Slovenia's win, the US does need to win their next match to leave control of their destiny in their own hands. A draw will still keep the US alive, but leave the Americans needing England to beat Slovenia to give the US even a chance to advance. The Slovenians are a well-organized team that makes up for a lack of individual talent, which makes them a difficult opponent in a must-win situation. The US should have enough talent to get the three points, but it's hard to know how the team will respond against a well-organized defense when they are chasing the game from the start.

FEARLESS FORECAST: Slovenia 0-0 United States. The US offense sputters under the pressure and leaves their fate in England's hands for the final round of group play.