England Preview

Sorry it's been such a large gap. I don't frequently get big plans like this derailed, but have had a busier time than normal recently with what is already a very busy job. But, nevermind that - you guys NEED at least 2 more previews, and I need to write them.

The very first thing you need to know: This coming Saturday will be the biggest soccer television event in US history - that's when the USA plays England in the first world cup game for both teams. The game is on network TV - ABC - so if you have any TV reception at your house, you should be able to watch it. During this post, I'm going to briefly preview the game, and then preview the English team (later this week comes the USA).

Why is the game important: First, it's the opening game for both teams. As I said before, this is "group play" for both teams, meaning that you play one game against each of the other 3 teams in your group, and whatever 2 teams have the most "points" at the end (3 points for a win, 1 for a tie) advance to the second round tournament play. The bottom line is that everybody wants to get off on the right foot so that they can play the way they want in the other games (play for a tie if they have to, etc). Also, this game is a rematch of one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. In the 1950 World Cup, the U.S. team made up of blue collar immigrants that basically came from a couple of neighborhoods defeated a professional English side in Brazil, 1-0. The winning goal was scored by a Hatian immigrant from New York City, and has been immortalized in the movie "The Game of Their Lives". By reports, the game was somewhat of a fluke - the English hit the goalposts multiple times during the game - but it still is all anybody wants to talk about 60 years later when previewing this weekend's game. Lastly, most American, if they follow soccer closely, usually follow English league soccer, so the English team is full of players that they know and enjoy watching. Add it all up, and you have what will be the most watched game ever for the US team. (Also, as I'm sure you know, there's the small business of us throwing them out of our country 200 years ago, kicking the crap out of them again a few years later, then saving their butts twice in two straight world wars).

Anyway, here is the preview of England (who I love just as much as anybody else):
-What should I know about this England team: The English (not British, since Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland all have teams) have what is arguably the best league in the world right now, so they have plenty of talent to choose from. Their fans are crazy, although since they started carefully scrutinizing travel visas, there are a lot less hooligans who can make it to foreign games (typically in the past, a rowdy group of English would make their way to wherever they were playing just to drink and riot). There is no team that gets more press than they do.

-Who should I watch: Take your pick of several different playmakers, since England has enough to go around. First, even though he may not figure as prominently in their plans as he has before, there's Steven Gerrard. He's smart, fiery midfielder who can absolutely blast in shots from long range. Below, as I've posted before, are his 10 greatest goals, which are always fun to watch.


Perhaps the most important player for the English is their striker, Wayne Rooney. Most people would rank him in the top 3 in the world; some would call him even better than that. He plays for Manchester United, where he scored goal after goal this year. I've never thought he really looked like a great striker when you see him standing there, but his record speaks for itself. Below are some vids of his scoring exploits. He's absolutely a beast to try and defend, and I think that he's the one who the American's fear most going into their game.


-How will they do: This is always hard to say with England. If you get a chance, you should ask Grandpa or Grandma Campbell about English newspapers. They basically have very few papers like the NY Times - most of their newpapers are tabloids - a daily form of the National Enquirer. These paper's favorite thing is to drastically overstate England's chances, and I think all of them would say that the English are one of the favorites to win it all. I don't think that's totally unreasonable, but I don't think they're quite on the same plane as Spain and Brazil. Also, they've just had a knee injury to their captain (one of their defenders, Rio Ferdinand, who once was banned for a year from soccer because he "forgot" to show up for a drug test), and their so-called #1 goalie is closer to being a member of the AARP than he is to the age of the USA's main striker, Jozy Altidore. Basically, the team has plenty of talent, but may not have quite enough to win it all. That said, they should easily get out of their group, and from that point on, you never know.

-What games should I be sure to watch: England seems to usually play pretty tame games when they're not playing somebody big. Their only can't miss game (I think) is their game with the USA, which you really shouldn't miss.

That's it for this week. I will come out with the long-awaited Team USA preview on Friday, prior to the game.