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Soccer Goals: Sitting on my couch awaiting the US' World Cup destiny, while recovering from a severe sinus infection that threatened to quell my excitement, the US received their dream draw, a group that includes their colonial cousins (England), a solid Slovenia, and an unknown Algeria.

 

As the the group C draw was announced placing the USA against the Three Lions, the dream match, that paired Beckham vs Donovan, football vs soccer, and side vs team-semantics, will experience six months of media coverage and spotlight. Besides the constant English buzz in forms of paparazi, tabloids, and WAGS exclusives, this honorable duel will feed soccer fans and junkies endless reading material that will leave bags under their red eyes.

 

Here are my top Five for the the England vs USA match

1. Landon Donovan vs David Beckham: Marketing gurus and British media were popping the bubbly after the announcement of this match. Raising awareness in the UK and attempting to move soccer more mainstream stateside, Brand Beckham has interested the most novice of US soccer fans, with most fans originating from the female demographic, ages ranging from 10-50 years old.

The LA Galaxy stars experienced a media frenzy after the release of the David Beckham Experiment where Landon Donovan called out DB for his lack of leadership. After patching up their volatile relationship which would even over shadow Chris Brown and Rihanna, the dynamic duo mended their differences qualifying for the MLS Cup, which they lost in a penalty shoot out against Real Salt Lake.

The English midfielder will possess a better knowledge of the US player and their tendencies, possibly shedding light on the proper way to defeat the Red, White, and Blue. While David Beckham accepts the media blitz, it is apparent that his US counterpart will bathe in the English media spotlight, as it will shine brighter and longer than the hot carribean sun. Landon a.k.a. Mandon -- a junkie for a camera and a mic -- will interview countless times from now until the end of the World Cup. Could Landon Donovan garner the attention in UK that DB receives stateside (oozing with sarcasm).?

Interesting locker room quotes should arise within the next six months. Who will put his foot in his mouth first?

 

2. E.A.S.Y.: No the acronym does not stand for English (women) Always. Say. Yes. but rather now stands for:

England

Algeria

Slovenia

Yanks

Yes, it is true that the Three Lions boast the deepest and most talented team, but even this acronym takes the cake, bringing English football snobbery to an all time high. They didn't just add fuel to the fire, they blow torched the fire while throwing explosives and dousing it with unlimited gallons of petrol. Chants of easy, easy, easy permeated throughout English pubs on December 4th. It is possible that their overconfidence will be seen on 2010 episodes of Ripley's Believe It or Not.  Swallowing knives or women stretching their necks with wire tubes seems underated, compared to witnessing chants of overconfidence in pubs all around England singing..Easy, Easy, Easy.

Let's hope that the English can put their money where their mouth is because expectations have just increased ten fold. Could one of the three underdogs silence English fans for at least one day?

 

3. Sky Sports News: Considered one of the most progressive and reliable international sports media outlets, Sky Sports outclassed themselves during the draw by providing extensive research and knowledge of the USMNT. For example, when announcing the veteran as 2010 South African bound winger, DaMarcus Beasley, Sky Sports interviewed right after the group C announcement, assuming that he must surely have his ticket punched with 89 caps and 17 goal. However, the commentator never made mention that Beasley has yet to receive a callup since the Confederations Cup which dates back to June 2009. What is even more comical is that representing Rangers with little playing time should ultimately entitle him to a roster spot.

According to Sky Sports, the current US roster is listed as such, Jonathan Spector, Frankie Hejduk, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra, Heath Pearce, Dax McCarty, and Marcus Hanneman etc.. You get the point. This US squad appeared in last friendly against Denmark, where the Danes dismantled the USA 3-1. This make-shift roster does not reflect the 23 that will represent in South Africa, as many players were missing due to injuries or club commitments.

Since it is difficult to know everything about each team in the World Cup which is understandable, the USMNT and its faithful followers appear to know more about English soccer than the inventors of the game, who must begin to perform ardous research on their MLS contigents and Americans Abroads.

 

4. Average Joe vs Millionaires: It has become widely known that MLS produces talent with limited resources. For example, John Terry earns more annually than a MLS team's salary cap. While the $34k Stuart Holden battles soon-to-be billionaire David Beckham on the flanks, will the USA demonstrate a good bang for their buck? Will English bling-bling, Maybach, and steak/lobster dinners prevail over Honda Hybrids, Chili's chicken tenders, and graphic T's.

Certainly, a chip on their shoulder will exist, an opportunity to play against England's finest. Will over worked, underpaid, and lunch-pail players aspire to impress European scouts, so that they can make it rain like Lil Wayne, after signing a new "phat" post World Cup contract?

Picture it now -- Robbie Findley, Chad Marshall, Stuart Holden, and Jose Francisco Torres situated in a swank London night club celebrating and toasting to their new lucrative contracts -- it could happen.

 

5. English scouting: Another positive aspect of this draw will be the attention given by English scouts, who will scour the US soccer digital wasteland to identify the US' top 23. During their research and attention to detail, these scouts could identify several diamonds in the ruff that could receive consideration for an EPL tryout. The potential exposure should give the MLS and American's Abroad the opportunity to find solid clubs and better paying gigs.

 

 

What do you think of the US' chances? Who will emerge from the USMNT as a star in 2010? Share your thoughts.

 

Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Top Five England vs USA Match