Fans of the U.S. World Cup team have a new favorite player—England goalkeeper Robert Green.
The Brits’ goalie let a routine slowing shot in the 40th minute from Clint Dempsey bounce off his hands and into the goal to give what would ultimately be the tying goal in a 1-1 match between the teams.
[popup url=”http://assets.longislandpress.com/photos/gallery.php?gazpart=view&gazimage=4019″]
Click here to view more photos from the U.S. England World Cup 2010 game[/popup]
England's Robert Green fails to save a shot by United States' Clint Dempsey during the World Cup group C soccer match between England and the United States at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday, June 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
England’s Captain Steven Gerrard gave his team an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute with a flicked shot that went past U.S. goalie Tim Howard. Gerrard and his team continued to outplay the U.S. team, maintaining a possession lead throughout the first 30 minutes.
Dempsey’s goal makes him only the second American ever to score in two different World Cups.
Two distinct opportunities for the U.S. to tally a score came in the form of field-spanning crosses from Landon Donovan to Jozy Altidore, although neither ended up successful.
On the other side of the pitch, England’s Wayne Rooney played a relatively quiet game, touching the ball only occasionally and doing little to spark offense for his team.
England’s Emile Heskey, in his first appearance since last October, had two run-ins with Howard. The first, in the 29th minute, resulted in a foot to the goalie’s chest as both players battled for a low cross pass from England’s Aaron Lennon. The second, in the 52nd minute, was a direct straight shot from Heskey at the American goalie, which was easily saved.
