It’s been more than 225 years, but we’ve had them in our sites this whole time. Allies, you say? I say, “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” That’s right, England, we’re coming for you, and we’re bringing it old school.
OK, yes, I’m kidding, but the fact that the United States has drawn England in the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa certainly brings with it a bit of drama and intrigue. Sure, there’s that whole Revolutionary War thing, but you history buffs may have also heard about the Americans’ upset victory over England in 1950, the last time the teams met up in World Cup competition.
Known as the “Miracle on Grass,” the United States came into the match having lost their previous seven international matches by a combined score of 45-2. Guh. Meanwhile, according to Wikipedia, “the English considered themselves the ‘Kings of Football,’” and “[t]he odds were 3-1 the English would win the Cup, and 500-1 for the US.” The 1-0 win by the United States was so improbable that, “among some English publications, it was presumed that the 1-0 scoreline was a typing error and so it was reported that England had won on a scoreline of 10-0.”
In addition, let’s not forget that David Beckham currently resides in Beverly Hills, Calif., having played for the Los Angeles Galaxy since 2007, but is likely to suit up for England. Has he no loyalty? I mean, it’s not like he’s played with the English national team since 1996.
Slovenia and Algeria are the other two teams in the first round. Eric Wynalda, former US forward and current soccer analyst at the Fox Soccer Channel, was quoted as saying, “This is the best draw we’ve ever had in any World Cup,” adding, “No disrespect to England, but this is an ideal group for us.”
You can find the entire draw here.
Photo courtesy of Shine 2010 – 2010 World Cup good news, via Flickr