England vs. USA Preview – Expect a Compelling Encounter

The USA faces the biggest game in its history Saturday when it steps onto the field against England. Victory and this team will be forever remembered but defeat won’t be a disaster for Bob Bradley’s team.

Strength in simplicity
The USA plays a modified version of the tradition 4-4-2 formation in Soccer which has fallen out of fashion in recent years. Coach Bob Bradley is no simple traditionalist however, instead he has adapted the way his team plays to the individual strengths of the talent at his disposal. At the back he will play a simple flat defense, then things get really interesting. Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark sit just in front of the back four, crucial to controlling England’s powerful attack. This also allows the remaining four outfield players to commit fully to pushing forward. DaMarcus Beasley pushes up on the left with Landon Donovan, the star of this team, taking the right wing and cutting inside at will. Clint Dempsey plays just behind Jozy Altidore up front to complete a formation where crucially everyone is comfortable with the role they have to perform.

Barry’s absence will be huge
Gareth Barry is not the biggest name on the English team but from a World Cup betting perspective he’s the most important player in the team outside of Wayne Rooney. When Barry plays England concede few goals as he slots perfectly into the role of holding midfielder. With the Manchester City player injured it’s worth backing the USA to score at least once in this game. While the potent attack of the Three Lions should still be enough to win this game, I really like the +650 price on Sports Interaction for the game to finish 2-1 to England.

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Victory would historic but defeat won’t hurt
The USA enters this game with a legitimate chance at getting a draw and pulling off the upset victory wouldn’t be beyond them. While a repeat of the 1950 result where the USA beat England 1-0 is unlikely, although if they did it would surely merit the Hollywood treatment. This is a team with the talent to make an impression and earn some respect in South Africa. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are good enough to at least keep the USA in the game for most of the 90 minutes but I think that is as much as they can hope for.

With Ashley Cole offering a threat from left-back, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard pushing forward in midfield, and the lethal threat of Wayne Rooney up front this is an England team with too much firepower for the USA to contain. Losing on Saturday won’t be a disgrace for the USA and I believe Bob Bradley’s team will win a lot of fans in this game. They will turn that good feeling into wins over Slovenia and Algeria to book a place in the knockout rounds. Sometimes defeat is the birthplace of victory, so back England to win big on Saturday but believe in the USA to come back stronger in its other group games.