England 2-0 USA - 28 May 2008 - Friendly
England were off the pace but managed to overwhelm and beat an even worse USA side. Seeing as the England team were coming off a full season and the US team were playing away from home, both teams could have done a lot better and will come away disappointed.
Liviu and Graham have done their match reports for each team:
England 2-0 USA - match report (Graham)
Mediocre US side disappoints at Wembley (Liviu).
Preview
England v USA
Wednesday, 28 May 2008, Wembley
England squad for the US and Trinidad & Tobago games (England play in Port of Spain on June 1) added at the end.
The USA will travel to London to play England in a friendly at Wembley on 28 May. Both teams will use the fixture as part of their preparations for their respective 2010 World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Both sides have placed an emphasis on playing against tough opposition in a bid to improve their international performances (arguably this is more of a test for the USA than England, but a good deal better than playing Trinidad & Tobago). The USA will be taking on Spain on 4 June 08 and Argentina on 8 June 08 as part of summer friendlies.
England take on Trinidad on June 1st and have also scheduled a friendly with the Czech Republic at Wembley on 20 August 08. The friendly will be the first game for the Czech Republic after June’s European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.
The last meeting between England and USA was played in Chicago in 2005, ending in a 2-1 win for England.
Seeing as England have just wrapped up their season while the USA are smack in the middle of their own MLS season, it’ll be interesting to see how much of a role fitness levels and fatigue play in determining the outcome of the game.
England Squad:
James (Portsmouth), Hart (Man City), Joe Lewis (Petersborough), Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), A Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Warnock (Blackburn), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Woodgate (Tottenham), Barry (Aston Villa), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Bentley (Blackburn), J Cole (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Huddlestone (Tottenham), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Walcott (Arsenal), Young, Agbonlahor (both Aston Villa), Ashton (West Ham), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Portsmouth), Rooney (Man Utd).
Also Read: Welcome to London, the capital of world football, and The USA will beat England - here’s why.
Ha ha ha MAN UTD will stomp USA, hopefully donovan will put up a great fight and also i hope that wayne rooney plays also to make it exciting
Um, Man U isn’t playing the US. This is a great match for the US. I’m not sure they expect to defeat England. They just want to play better teams to elevate their game play.
I think the US team has grown a lot since the 06 World Cup and will give the English squad a run for their money. I also see England thinking that the US won’t be a threat, and will look past them. I see a final score of 2-1 with the US coming away with the victory.
“Don’t Tread On Me”
Potential England lineup for the USA game:
(4-2-3-1)
James
Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole
Barry, Hargreaves
Bentley, Gerrard, J. Cole
Rooney
It’s a shame that Carrick isn’t there, he deserves to be on his form. Another possibility is playing Hargreaves at right-back and going with a 4-1-3-2 with Crouch / Owen / Defoe joining Rooney upfront.
Woodgate is likely to get playing time, so are the Villa pair and possibly Walcott. Becks will also be in frame for this game seeing as the USA are involved and the FA will want to ensure that he plays a part in this ’showpiece’ at Wembley.
Ahmed:
For fans outside of the UK, they may not have seen this interview by Mr. Capello. It was his first in English:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/7418608.stm
On another note, Landon Donovan is set to win his 100th cap for the USA.
I’m glad to see Terry is captain. Should give him a confidence boost after the penalty miss in the Champions League Final.
I’m in a unique position, in that my mother is English and my dad American and lived in England for 8 years as a boy. These are my two favorite international teams for that reason. However, the USA will always come first for me and I fully expect to win this game. I’m tired of American fans saying we don’t expect to beat England. I do expect to beat them. Oh and tell me what England has done lately besides not qualifying for Euro 2008? The USA can and will win this game.
capello is a thick c**t….. why the hell hasnt he named carrick in the team
the team should be….
james
brown-terry-ferdinand-Acole
carrick-hargreaves
beckham-gerrard-Jcole
rooney
or piss beckham off and have 2 strikers in rooney and defoe
cappelo is an idiot… why isnt carrick in the team
…team SHOULD be
james
brown-terry-ferdinand-Acole
hargreaves-carrick
beckham-gerrard-Jcole
rooney
but without carrick it should be
james
brown-terry-ferdinand-Acole
beckham-hargreaves-gerrard-Jcole
rooney-defoe
subs should be lampard, woodgate, wallcott, jagielka, barry
What the hell does Ashley Young have to do to get a game?
I agree Hugo, here is my team:
James
Brown - Terry - Rio - A Cole
Young - Gerrard - Hargo - J Cole
Rooney - Ashton
I realise that Ashton’s fitness may be a slight concern but I just think Rooney and Ashton could make a great partnership. Also, I would be bringing Beckham on after around 60minutes for either J Cole or Ash Young (if for Cole then switch Young onto left, Becks go on right). Same with Lampard and Barry, depending on how the game’s going maybe bring them on for Gerrard and Hargreaves respectively after 60-odd minutes.
Also, for future deliberation i think we have to seriously consider Hargreaves as a viable right wing option following his Champs league final performance.
It’s Peterborough, not Peter’s’borough!
Far from easy game for England. The USA play well as a team and they won’t be intimidated coming to Wembley.
Capello has said Terry will be captain, Beckham is fit and will play and Lampard will play as he is really important to England. Think we’ve heard all that before haven’t we?
Quite agree with Hugo. Ashley Young has got to play.
I’ve published a preview for both sides on the USA blog. Check it out!
http://statesidefooty.com/usa-vs-england-preview/
James
Beckam, Gerrad, Hargreaves
Rooney, Ferdinand, Owen
Woodjate and Joe Cole.
This is the team i select.
The US can f**k off, they think theyre the best att everything, theyre so up themselves! FOOTBALL (not saawcar!) belongs to our country and if the US think theyre gunna take over OUR sport jus coz theyve signed an english player then theyre sooo wrong.
Tonight u yanks will get a reality check and realise just how far behind us u r every term in regards to football!!
I hate when Gerrard plays for England
he always takes the flack when they play shitty.
Only a question and a comment to the game this evening. First is. Who was the dude on the USA team that wouldn’t place his hand over his heart on the National Anthem? Is he another one of those crack pot Muslims? What is up with USA and those freaks? Glad to be in England I will say…. Other one is a comment to Dan on the USA getting stomped. To bad he can’t spell enough for one to understand his crap…..I now live in England and am very much a fan of England football. When in Rome do as the Romans. So when in England go with England I say….Thanks and hope you can find who the dumb azz is on the USA team I am asking about….He was down towards the end as the stood. and was a man of color. Would love to write to USA teams and voice my veiw to this if I can find out his name. Again, Thanks, Barb
May 28, 2008dan
The US can f**k off, they think theyre the best att everything, theyre so up themselves! FOOTBALL (not saawcar!) belongs to our country and if the US think theyre gunna take over OUR sport jus coz theyve signed an english player then theyre sooo wrong.
Tonight u yanks will get a reality check and realise just how far behind us u r every term in regards to football!!
nice to see Gerrard and Terry score
Rooney deserves one though
it was a good game
kinda expected tho
lol rooney looked pissed during subs, totally should’ve scored one
I was pretty disappointed with US today. We played alot better against Mexico and Poland. Bradley also pretty much gave up when he subbed in Guzan. Well hopefully Landycakes and Spector will be alright for next week against Spain. The game against Argentina is what i’m really looking forward to though.
Yeah, Rooney definately deserved one score! Anyways USA is not enough rival for US, we should be playing against Argentina or Brazil or Germany… not USA, please!
Thanks.
Anyone see Bentley, Defoe and Barry celebrating with Gerrard
I wonder if you switch Defoe with Torres and put them all in red would it look slightly better
Glad to see Terry as captain and score!
I think people are forgetting that this was a frendly, to basically size up the US against England, and see where improvements need to be made
. Of course, compared to most of Europe, US is going to lose. But we’re getting better, and I don’t understand why Americans of all people, just want to hop on the fucking bandwagon, and bash their own country.
If you like the sport that much, support your damn country. Your support will only make the sport that much more loved/respected in the already narrow-minded country we live in.
May 28, 2008dan
The US can f**k off, they think theyre the best att everything, theyre so up themselves! FOOTBALL (not saawcar!) belongs to our country and if the US think theyre gunna take over OUR sport jus coz theyve signed an english player then theyre sooo wrong.
Tonight u yanks will get a reality check and realise just how far behind us u r every term in regards to football!!
—–And exactly WHAT has England doen in international football as of late?