USA kicked off their World Cup campaign with a resolute performance against England in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, earning a well deserved 1-1 tie. England promised much at the start but where ultimately frustrated by some robust US defending.

Fabio Capello, England’s new coach surprised everyone by not naming his goalkeeper until just before the match. The selected Robert Green, unfortunately demonstrated that England’s goalkeeping ‘problem’ is nowhere near solved by gifting the USA a 40th minute goal from Clint Dempsey’s somewhat speculative shot. Tim Howard, on the other hand, showed how he is one of the best goalkeepers in the business with a performance that surely warranted ‘man of the match’.

England had the perfect start with Gerrard scoring a delightful goal in the fourth minute. A lack of communication in the USA defense and England with far too much space gave Gerrard the opportunity to finish well. But despite this early setback the USA dug in and slowly but surely started to fight back.

In the 25th minute Gerrard got the better of Bradley and threaded a pass through to Heskey. Howard came out and saved bravely at Heskey’s feet but at the expense of colliding with the large striker. US hearts were in their mouths as they wondered whether Howard could continue. Fortunately Howard recovered well.

The USA continued to rally and in the 38th minute Donovan unleashed an excellent strike which had all but beaten Green as he watched it somewhat hopefully skid past his right post.

Then came the howler! Clint Dempsey, who plays his soccer in England with Fulham, got the better of Gerrard and turning well hit a good strike on target. What should have been a routine save by Green was fumbled by the West Ham goalkeeper and squirmed into the net. I doubt we will see a softer goal scored in this World Cup!

Stunned by this, England ratcheted up the pressure and launched several counter attacks; the best of which was Johnson firing a great shot which Howard saved well. Lennon and Wright-Phillips were always a threat on the flanks for England, but the USA survived to go into half time still at 1-1.

Carragher replaced Ledly King at half time for England and there followed a sustained period of English pressure. In the 51st minute Heskey once again strode onto a quick pass from Aaron Lennon, but Howard came out, narrowed the angle, and brilliantly saved from Heskey.

Gradually the momentum of the game shifted with the USA looking dangerous on the counter attack. In the 65th minute the USA could well have taken the lead. Jozy Altidore got the better of Glen Johnson and fired a blistering shot which Green just managed to parry away. It was a good save by the England goalkeeper and a reminder that the USA were not content to just sit back and defend.

Lampard stung Howard’s hands with a long distance shot and Rooney, who had an unusually quiet game, came close but to no avail.

England came forward in numbers but the USA stood firm with some excellent defending.

So it ended 1-1 with the USA justifiably proud of the result. It was a mature performance by the USA illustrating just how far US football has come. For England it was another frustrating display. Promising much but delivering little. It’s not the end of the world by any means as its early days yet in this competition with everything still to play for. Bring on the next game. I can’t wait!