Why England will flop again this summer in South Africa

Scared to play against England US fans?While it may be safe to say most (myself included) are very nervous to play England,I'm in no way scared to play England.Even under the great coaching of the Italian tactician Fabio Capello, I feel England will not be able to make it past the round of 16 in South Africa,and this is why:

Goalkeeping:The main problem for England,who haven't had a great goalkeeper since David Seaman (who still managed to make the mistake that knocked England out the 2002 World Cup)Who will it be?Green?Hart?James?Robinson?Foster?Kirkland?Americans everywhere are smiling knowing that England would do anything to have Brad Freidal or Tim Howard in goal for them this summer.

Defenders:Starting rick back for England will most likely be Liverpool defender Glen Johnson,who is very quick and great coming up and combining with teammates attacking up the field.However,his marking and tackling skills are limited,one smart off the ball run and you have a chance to be in on goal.The center of England's defense is plagued with injuries and a bit of controversy.John Terry has been stripped of his captaincy after the Wayne Bridge incident,while Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King have had their season destroyed by injuries.At left back Ashley Cole is out at the moment due to an ankle injury.England back-up left back Wayne Bridge quit the team,leaving the door open to Everton's Leighton Baines or Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock.While Cole should be back in time to start,his long term injury and also popstar Cheryl Cole finally calling it quits with him means he might not be one of the worlds best outside backs in South Africa.

Midfielders:England have so many well-known midielders,but being well-known won't always get the job done.On the right David Beckham won't be playing after suffering a long-term injury with Milan.Also,Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has picked up a pretty bad injury which is keeping him out of action for Spurs.Frank Lampard has had a decent season but has had better.The question that must be asked is who will play in the middle with him?The Gerrard-Lampard combination never ended up working out in the center of the field,and also you have Owen Hargreaves who has had another season decimated by injuries.Now for the left side,will it be Gerrard,who's team is struggling just to get into Europe?Joe Cole,who can barely get minutes for Chelsea?Or a surprise,such as Villa boys Ashley Young,James Milner or Stuart Downing?



Fowards:Wayne Rooney.The 2010 season has been his year,and is easily one of the worlds 5 best players,but will he be the next England start to pick-up a big injury right before an international tournament?Michael Owen has been ruled out due to another long term injury.Jermain Defoe has had a great year for Tottenham but just picked up a hamstring injury and will probably be starting on the bench,due to Capello loving a target foward starting,leaving it up to either Peter Crouch or Emile the selfless Emile Heskey.

Add more injuries,more drama off the field wth players like John Terry and Ashley Cole,the press saying "This is the best team since 66" and you have a recipe for disaster.What do I say?England will win there group then get shocked in the round of 16 by either Ghana or Serbia.

The 10 Wishes of a U.S Soccer fan

Here are the ten wishes of a U.S Soccer fan,brought to you right on this gloomy Friday.The US square off against Honduras tomorrow at the HDC in Carson in the first U.S game in what seems like forever.

1.Robbie Findley steps up vs. Honduras- Findley is coming off a career year,being a threat all season long with MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake,the question now is can he score at the international level???

2.The young midfielders taking there game to the next level- Benny Feilhaber,Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers have all showed the potential to be a vital part of the national team,now it's time to put the talent to use and break out.

3.CD9 and Gooch get fit before the World Cup-While Gooch will be fit he will still need to get playing time and regain form.CD9 has been making a great recovery so far since his tragic accident.

4.Jermaine Jones is not secretly John O'Brien- O'Brien was one of the best ever American field players until multiple injuries forced him to retire and give up on a very promising career.Let's hope Jones finally gets healed up and stays healthy.

5.Jozy starts scoring and hitting form- With some many people excited about Jozy's loan to Hull City,he hasn't managed to score a goal yet in league play.I hate to say it but somethings wrong if he's our best striker.Time to step it up Jozy.

6.LD Stays in Europe and playing well-Yes, your hearing this from a Galaxy fan.In my opinion,Donovan is the best field player in the history of U.S Soccer,he needs to show his talent week in and week out,he has no more competition in the MLS.

7.Carlos Bocanegra gets playing time SOMEWHERE.- I don't care if he stays at Rennes or ends up going to St. Ettiene (sell or loan),the guy just needs to play it's that simple....he's our captain.

8.DaMarcus Beasley finds his way into the Rangers line-up.-I don't care if your a jeweler now DaMarcus,we might actually need you in South Africa this year.Some Vintage Run DMB would be amazing.

9.Luis Gil has a future,please don't over-hype him.-We saw it with Freddy Adu,who was dubbed the next Pele.Gil's name has been thrown around the academies of Arsenal,Man City and Barcalona.Perhaps,the best thing that could happen would be Gil keeping a very low profile.

10.Finally,Bob Bradley WEAR A SUIT.-We need you looking like a professional coach of a national team!!!Sadly,this is much more of a dream than a wish.But seriously cmon Bob,Armani,Dolce and Gabbana,Ralph Lauren...do I have to go on???So many choices...just wear a suit please.

Anybody who thinks Soccer is not big in this country

I insist you watch this,I'm in there somewhere.EPIC.
I could watch this over and over.

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa: Fowards

1.Jozy Altidore:The Best foward we have.The question isn't if he will start,but who will he start with.Jozy needs to get a couple of goals to get his confidence back up and get more playing time at Hull City.The sky is the limit for Jozy,he just needs to stay focus....and oh yeah,also get to practice on time.


2.Robbie Findley:One of the reasons to be excited about the January camp and Honduras game is this guy.If CD9 isn't healthy or healthy enough to start Findley's speed might be just what the doctor ordered for a replacement.After a great season with Real Salt Lake,Findley will be given a chance to prove himself at the international level.


3.Charlie Davies:What a beautiful scene it would be.Charlie Davies,defying all odds since his trafic car accident and making the World Cup team.I will never forget the scene's at RFK during the last World Cup Qualifyer,I was lucky enough to make the trip from Southern California.With the right treatment and rehab I think Chuck Deezy will have a chance to make it in June,he is a warrior and an inspiration.


4.Connor Casey:I know don't worry,you probably just rolled your eyes.Bob loves big target strikers,so I think Casey will end up getting the nod.Casey,who is known mostly more his aerial presence,can also get himself into good goal scoring positions.Don't get me wrong though,I get just as frustrated as the next U.S Soccer fan when I see Casey just strolling around the field creating "defensive pressure."

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa: Midfielders

1.Landon Donovan:The best field player in the history of U.S Soccer,there I said it.LD has been in amazing form and this is his time to show the world he is top class.Alot will depend on how Landon does at Everton,confidence is everything to Landon.If we see the 2002 World Cup Landon Donovan this World Cup will be a memorable one for U.S fans and could be the turning point for Soccer in this country.


2.Clint Dempsey:One of Fulham's best players this year,has been excellent. While he disappears out of games with the Yanks, Dempsey being the magician he is can and will appear out of nowhere with a moment of brilliance.(Egypt,Spain)With CD9 possibly out,do not be surprised if Deuce plays up top,where I feel he can be more effective and much more of a threat.



3.Michael Bradley:I'm sure this kid has grown on me just as much as he has on any other U.S fan. He is no longer known as the "coaches son." Great in tackle,key goals,and a passion to improve each and everyday are reasons to like this guy.Although more of a defensive-minded midfielder,he is still a box-to-box midfielder who has a habit of scoring huge goals (Switzerland,Mexico[2],Egypt)


4.Benny Feilhaber: Legend.I don't think I will ever be able to forget that beautiful volley vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup Final.Benny has great vision and can pick out passes most guys in this group wouldn't be able to.If we need a goal and start Bradley and Jones in the middle,I think Benny would be a great attacking super-sub.


5.Stuart Holden:With Scotland not qualifying (again :[) for the World Cup Aberdeen-born Holden will give the Tartan Army a team to cheer for.How sweet would a Holden game-winner vs. England be?Anyway,Holden's stock has went through the roof and now has a chance at starting in South Africa.His crossing ability is something that will be worrying defenders,while Holden can also be a spark coming off the bench giving the team that extra boost of energy.


6.DaMarcus Beasley:Yes,you heard that right.Beasley has made the most of his recent minutes at Rangers(In which most believe were minutes to raise his transfer value.)But Beasley has been the best player the last three weeks in the SPL and looks keen to stay at Ibrox.If Beasley keeps his form up in Scotland he will be going to South Africa and have a chance to start out wide on the wing.



7.Maurice Edu:Edu has had a tough season so far with Rangers due to injury but is hopeful to make his return in a couple of weeks in the Old-Firm vs. Celtic.When healthy,Edu has show he can be good in the middle with Pedro Mendes and Stephen Davis.As long as Edu stays healthy I can see him being the guy that steals Rico Clark's spot at center defensive-mid on the roster.


8.Francisco Torres:What does this guy have to do to get some love from Bob Bradley?He has shown he is a great distributor of the ball and also has a great first touch.While he may be tiny and not great in tackle,Torres has shown he is a great center mid when pair with a defensive-mid in the middle,Like Michael Bradley.


9.Jermaine Jones:What would be the best gift during the holidays?Perhaps having someone tell you Jermaine Jones will be healthy soon.Having watched this guy at Schalke 04,not only is he the best defensive-mid in the Bundesliga,but he is also one of the best midfielders in the entire league.Having Bradley and Jones in the middle together would be a massive advantage going into the opener vs. England.Please get healthy Jonesy.

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa: Defenders

1.Carlos Bocanegra: Captain Carlos will be the leader of the American back four,and might have even more responsibility on him depending on the fitness of the injured Oguchi Onyewu. Bocanegra might play both center back and also left back (Where he plays at Rennes) in South Africa.


2. Oguchi Onyewu:American fans everywhere know how important it is to get Gooch back to full fitness and form before June.In all honesty, Onyewu is in a very tough spot.When he was at 100% he wasn't getting minutes at Milan and rumours started popping up about him going to Russia. A couple mistakes and an injury later in the Costa Rica match and now we can just cross our fingers that he will be back in time and back in form for the World Cup.


3.Steve Cherundalo:Best word to describe this guy=consistent. Dolo has been a solid right back for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga for several years now. While I don't think he will start if all our back four are healthy (Spector,DeMerit,Onyewu,Bocanegra) Cherdundalo is more than capable filling in at right or left back.


4. Johnathan Spector:The starting right back for this team. Calm on the ball,reads the game well,and can swing in a great ball (Egypt,Brazil game.)Also a very versatile play that can play anywhere across the back. It's really hard not to like Spector.


5.Jay DeMerit:The man.What Soccer in this country is all about,May not be world class but effort and determination can get you places. Deserves to start in South Africa, Jay is a pure warrior. This guy's story gives me hope I can still play professional. Anywho,a solid defender who will give you 200% each and every game.


6.Johnathan Bornstein: The President of Honduras will probably be remembered for his late-game heroics vs. Costa Rica in the final World Cup Qualifyer.Bornstein has began to pick-up his form the last couple of games and has looked pretty solid.Bob Bradley might be thinking Bornstein's pace is the answer to England's fast and tricky wingers.(Lennon,Wright-Phillips)


7.Clarence Goodson:Taking advantage of the playing time and rising to the challenge is Clarence Goodson.His stock in the national team pool continues to rise and had bigger club teams interested in his services trying to take him away from IK Start.Do not be surprised if Goodson gets the nob over fellow youngster Chad Marshall or veteran Jimmy Conrad.

A Closer Look at the 23 for South Africa : The Goalies

1. Tim Howard: Timmy is the obvious starter for the Yanks,having been the starter since Kasey Keller retired after the 2006 World Cup. Howard has been one of the bright spots for Everton this year,a team currently leaking goals at the back and plagued with injuries.




2. Brad Guzan: El Guzano could be starting at European-bound Aston Villa if it wasn't for the stellar form of U.S Veteran Brad Freidel. Guzan will be backing up Howard in South Africa,but Howard better watch his back for 2014,Guzan is a young goalie with a tremendous upside.


3.Marcus Hahnemann: This is a tough call beetween Marcus and Troy Perkins,But I think experience will win out. After a solid career with Reading Hahnemann is now at Wolves and is trying to help them stay away from the drop. Since Hahnemann became starter at Wolves they have been picking up better results and are looking like a team that can escape relegation. He has had a great career and deserves to be on the roster to top it all off.