On United States vs. England: What needs to happen for the U.S. to win.

For those who don't know, the United States is playing their opening game of the 2010 Fifa World Cup against England. Some might say, well that sucks. I'm here to tell you what needs to happen for the United States, who aren't as big of underdogs as one might think, to win that game. Before I start though, I want to say that England is my team other than the U.S. I feel the opposite of what Sir Alex Ferguson said, who said that he wishes the United States luck, after they play England. I wish England luck, after they play the U.S.

1. Score early. This is an old addage in all of sports. If you're the underdog, you need to come out with a fire lit under your ass and take it to the house. Whether it's Altidore doing one of his little jukey run things, Donovan getting an open shot at goal, or anyone else, they need to get in a position to have a chance early and they need to take it.

2. Get physical. England are a bunch of big boys. A lot of them are established bullies. But the U.S. has got big boys of their own, and they need to get out there and take it to them. They've done it before, Clint Dempsey once broke John Terry's jaw in a friendly match. I want to see Dempsey and Bradley going after English key players Garreth Barry and Aaron Lennon. Jermaine Defoe is a tiny little guy, give him a whack or two whenever he tries to get in the box. Even Rooney, who is an absolute hell-hound on the ball, needs to be reigned in. If this game is going to the United States, they need to take the fight to England hard. I want to see the American Revolution, Part Two, with the same victor. Hoo-ah.

3. Take advantage of injured English roster. Don't get me wrong, the United States has injury problems of their own, but those are all old news. The injuries that England are dealing with happened VERY recently, and those players need to be taken advantage of. In defense, Rio Ferdinand is just coming back from a broken leg. In midfield, Garreth Barry messed up his ankle and could have been out for SIX WEEKS, and that happened two weeks ago. Up top, Rooney messed up his ankle, came into a game too early and exasperated it last week. These are players that are surely not one hundred percent, and we need to capitalize on that.

On the same note, England has players all over the pitch that are just out of form. John Terry, following the scandal of him SLEEPING WITH TEAMMATE WAYNE BRIDGE'S WIFE was stripped of his captainship, and caused Bridge to bow out of the team. And then he started playing like crap, and he really hasn't gotten better since. Steven Gerrard (whom I love) is just not playing his best football right now, and his wicked shot was one of the biggest fears of the U.S. going into the tournament. Don't even get me started in England's forwards, who I've already mentioned in this blog have basically been absent except Rooney. And finally, Frank Lampard. I know, he had a great season, an exceptional one (22 goals in league play). But, Lampard's last shot he took was a penalty in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth which he MISSED. This is Frank Lampard, who, despite Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba, is supposed to be the best penalty taker in the world. That will not sit well with him, and I think he'll come out spooked.

4. Play as a team. One of the biggest advantages that the United States has is that they are a team of friends. Whereas on teams like Spain or Argentina, most of the guys from the U.S. have known each other for years. On those other big teams, a bunch of superstars are coming together, most of which play on seperate land masses, and trying to put together a team. England is no different. This is a team who is, quite literally, sleeping around on each other. They've been bitter rivals for their entire career, and the United States needs to frustrate them enough to let that come out. The United States doesn't have these problems. When they have the ball, they need to play relaxed, clean football. Knock the ball around a little to start off the game, just get a nice flow going. And then take it to the house before the tenth minute.

These are my keys for the U.S. winning against England. Have your own/think these are wrong? Comment!