If England supporters are delighted with their team’s group at next year’s World Cup, then followers of the United States can be nearly as happy. England might see the US, Algeria and Slovenia as ideal group opponents, but Bob Bradley has every reason to smile.
Slovenia and Algeria were perhaps the best possible options from pots three and four and while England could have got an easier draw from pot two than the US, the Stars and Stripes know they could have got a tougher seed.
Indeed, the group stage draw could have a big impact on the USA’s World Cup odds.
England are the lowest ranked top seed apart from hosts South Africa – Fabio Capello will be thankful that the seeds were based on October’s rankings as the current ones place England ninth – and the pedigree of the other top seeds make them formidable prospective opponents for any side.
Five-time winners Brazil and European champions Spain are tournament favourites for good reason, while the Netherlands, holders Italy and enjoyed superb qualifying campaigns. Argentina might be inconsistent, but they have more match-winners than England.
The US should start their campaign on 12th June with confidence. 2010 will be their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance and they have done more than make up the numbers recently, having reached the quarter finals in 2002 and the last 16 in 1994.
America and England have an interesting football history, although most football fans are more aware of America’s famous wins in 1950 and 1993 than any of the Three Lions’ seven victories, the latest of which came last year. The next meeting will be a crucial one and one that the States should not fear.
Meanwhile, experts from the world of horse racing are already gearing up for one of the UK’s biggest race events – the Cheltenham Festival.
Original Story:
http://www.sportsloungeblog.com/2009/...
Slovenia and Algeria were perhaps the best possible options from pots three and four and while England could have got an easier draw from pot two than the US, the Stars and Stripes know they could have got a tougher seed.
Indeed, the group stage draw could have a big impact on the USA’s World Cup odds.
England are the lowest ranked top seed apart from hosts South Africa – Fabio Capello will be thankful that the seeds were based on October’s rankings as the current ones place England ninth – and the pedigree of the other top seeds make them formidable prospective opponents for any side.
Five-time winners Brazil and European champions Spain are tournament favourites for good reason, while the Netherlands, holders Italy and enjoyed superb qualifying campaigns. Argentina might be inconsistent, but they have more match-winners than England.
The US should start their campaign on 12th June with confidence. 2010 will be their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance and they have done more than make up the numbers recently, having reached the quarter finals in 2002 and the last 16 in 1994.
America and England have an interesting football history, although most football fans are more aware of America’s famous wins in 1950 and 1993 than any of the Three Lions’ seven victories, the latest of which came last year. The next meeting will be a crucial one and one that the States should not fear.
Meanwhile, experts from the world of horse racing are already gearing up for one of the UK’s biggest race events – the Cheltenham Festival.
Original Story:
http://www.sportsloungeblog.com/2009/...
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