Top News

Goalkeeper blunder hands US 1-1 draw with England

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-13 06:18

England's Wayne Rooney (L) and Jay DeMerit of the US fight for the ball during the 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 12, 2010. [Agencies]

The United States had little to show for its efforts before its goal. The best chances came from headers as playmaker Landon Donovan twice set up Jozy Altidore to head wide.

Wayne Rooney, regarded as England's most threatening player, saw little of the ball and had little impact on the match. He traveled to South Africa after being dogged by injuries that prevented him from helping Manchester United's failed bid to win the Premier League and Champions League.

Emile Heskey slammed into Howard in the 29th, hitting the goalkeeper in the chest with the toe of his boot as both went to meet a low cross from Aaron Lennon.

Heskey, making his first start since October, broke clear in the 52nd but shot straight at Howard, who came sprinting to the edge of the penalty area.

Howard was called into action again soon after as he tipped an effort from Frank Lampard over the bar, and at the other end Green deflected a shot from Altidore onto the crossbar in the 65th.

Rooney almost connected with a cross from Gerrard at the back post, and then set up substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips for a clear shot from the left which Howard stopped.

Capello cranked up the pressure late in the match, bringing on the lanky Peter Crouch with 10 minutes remaining to supply Rooney with more possession, but there was no way through the American defense.

Lineups:

England: Robert Green, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Ledley King (Jamie Carragher, 45), Ashley Cole, Aaron Lennon, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner (Shaun Wright-Phillips, 31), Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey (Peter Crouch, 79).

United States: Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore (Stuart Holden, 86), Robbie Findley (Edson Buddle, 77).