SOCCER NEWS TODAY:
Soccer 's Moment in America.
Soccer in America has never been more popular. UPDATED
The World Cup has started and today the U.S. team plays its first competitve match against England. During this game, millions of Americans from coast to coast will be watching soccer on TV. What will happen in this history making match?
Here is what our local Southern California's soccer experts say:
Colin Chesters, former pro soccer player in the English Premier League and Director of Coaching, San Diego Surf Soccer "I am looking forward to the game tomorrow. I am obviously rooting for England to both perform well and to win the game. After that my heart is hoping for an England v USA final, but realistically I see Brazil and Spain competing in the final match."
Chesters says "Serbia is my dark horse team. I think they have a chance to move deeper into the tournament than most of us would expect."
Derek Armstrong, former pro soccer player in England and Director of Coaching for the Nomads Soccer Club "The World Cup is of massive importance to the growth of USA's young players - I already feel that America has never been this ready for the World Cup - its like being back in Europe, there is is so much excitement around! The country is waking up at long last."
"England v U.S. is quite possibly the most important game. This is a massive game for the fans - However, I suspect the coaches have two different views: Capello will see it as a "must win" and Bob will see us "getting something from the game ". Although a big game if both teams tie, it does set both up for the opportunities to go through if they get their act together in next two games. Difficult to predict but our last result against Australia is encouraging."
Armstrong says "If we can manage to get to half time and be level, I think we have a chance. England might just be an outsider for the semi-finals if the players take off."
"With regards to the USA team, obviously I want Steve Cherundolo to prove to everyone he can play at the "highest level" and shine. I know he can. I want the rest of the world to know! The team will do better than at the last world cup, we have more experience and the players have moved on from some of the naivety that was evident in the last world up. I think we will be represented very well. I wish Bob Bradley all the luck in the world."
Armstrong predicts "England should win but I think its so big that I am going for a tie 0-0."
According to former Manchester United player and co-founder of CV Manchester, Billy Garton, "This is the most exciting world cup open ever, the standard of international soccer generally has greatly improved. Any two of the 4 nations in the bracket/group, could advance. England rightly are favorites, but we have been here before and failed to deliver." Garton continues "I think the US have improved tremendously and have had a great preparation period with a couple of good performances. I think they can advance in second place, with England winning the bracket."
"In the Eng v US game on Saturday, I think it will be a tie, or a 1 goal win for England. Much closer than most would believe. Tim Howard is up with the best Keepers in the world and will play a big part in any success the US achieves."
Garton is very excited and says "let the games begin."
According to ODP coach and former pro player John Napier "I think the US/England game will be a lot closer than most people think, I think the U.S. will be in a defensive mode and rely on the speed of Donavan and Finley (if he plays) on the counter attack. The big problem I see for the US is the wide attacking capabilities of the English team, their 2 full backs Johnson and Cole really cause a lot of problems going forward."
Napier predicts "I take England to win 2-1."
"I expect the US team to be able to beat the other bracket opponents Slovenia and Algeria and advance behind England. Slovenia will be a tough game. I liked them in the preliminary rounds. After that it should be a real battle for every team."
"As in any professional sport there can be major upsets, also injuries can be crucial. I am expecting a team from the African nations to go deep in the tournament."
Napier says "I think Brazil and Spain will reach the final, with Brazil taking it all."
Shannon MacMillan, former pro player who was in the World Cup and is now with the Del Mar Sharks "It is impossible to put into words what the energy of playing in a World Cup is like. Bob Bradley has done a great job preparing the men. I believe they are ready to play and will feed off of the excitement."
MacMilan says "I am really looking forward to watching them play and I would be surprised if they don't advance to the next round."
Jeff Illingworth, Director of Coaching at CV Manchester "The U.S.are still underrated both at home and abroad. We can beat England and win the group. The U.S. defence is the main question mark."
Illingworth says "Donovan and Altidore can do really well against England's defence. We also have great goalkeeping."
Johnson Asiedu, Boys Director of Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks " England vs. USA match is going to be a very cagey game. You have two coaches, Fabio and Bradley, who have prepared their teams so well, and two teams that know each other very well. So, I think it is going to depend on the team that can utilize their half chances and set pieces. I will not be surprised if it ends in a tie. I have a lot of English friends and I would not like to see them sad, but it will be great if USA wins mainly for the sake of the development of the game here in America. Watch out for Landon Donovan and Tim Howard who, I believe, will make the difference in this game.
Asiedu says "I will surely be glued to the TV on Sunday to watch my native Ghana (Go, Black Stars!!!) compete against Serbia. Get your Vuvuzelas and drums out and Let the games begin!"
Paul Wright, professional soccer player with the San Diego Sockers "I think the U.S. will advance out of the group. I like their team, although I think their defense is a little suspect." Wright says " But they should be able to score some goals and make it exciting."
Jen Lalor-Nielsen former pro soccer player U.S. Women’s National team, played in the 1995 Women’s World Cup and is now soccer coach with JB Soccer "England has been looking great in the qualifying and tune up games prior to the World Cup. They now have an Italian coach that has them playing well and winning. All the pressure is on England which could play out to the U.S. favor."
Lalor-Nielsen says "The U.S. has also been doing well in qualifying and tune up games. If they can get the first goal or keep it close until late in the game they have a chance to win. If England scores first early on in the game, it will be a big win for England."
Travis R. Chesney from the San Diego Flash Soccer Club "The U.S. seems to have a strong roster of "nearly-great" players, apart from perhaps Howard and Donovan, who are exceptional. Whether this is enough to beat the confident English side is yet to be seen."
"I think if they give Buddle a chance in case Altidore can't go 100% on the ankle, they can get a couple goals in. What worries me is the English strikers versus our questionable defense. 2-2 Tie, calling it now, though I'll be rooting for a 3-2 win. Though in the end, there's pretty much no way England and the US fail to advance, so we'll see how things work out at the end of the month."
Even the U.S. team's red-white-blue bus with with the saying "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Victory!" on the side inspires America's new soccer-loving heart. Good Luck U.S. -- all eyes (and our hopes) are on you.
For a schedule of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Click Here. Or MSNBC's World Cup Score Board, Click Here
Diane Scavuzzo, Editor in Chief
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