Historic Draw With England

On This Day in 2010, Green Flubbed Dempsey's Shot and the Americans Earned a Crucial Point Against England at the World Cup

Following their confidence-building 3-1 victory over Australia just one week earlier, the United States Men's National Team arrived at Royal Bafokeng Stadium for the most anticipated match in American soccer history. The buildup had been unprecedented - a 70½-foot billboard of Clint Dempsey near Penn Station in Manhattan, posters of Landon Donovan along London's Piccadilly Circus, and an estimated 132,000 tickets purchased by Americans, more than any nation outside South Africa.

The English tabloids had dismissed Group C as "E.A.S.Y. - England, Algeria, Slovenia, Yanks," but Bob Bradley's team carried genuine belief after their Confederations Cup success against Spain. Nine Americans had competed in the English Premier League during the season, bringing familiarity and confidence to a matchup that would be the ultimate litmus test of American soccer's standing relative to the world's elite.

Yet questions remained about the American defense, particularly after Tim Cahill had exploited their vulnerabilities against Australia. Center back Oguchi Onyewu had not played a full 90 minutes since rupturing his patellar tendon in October, while England boasted an attack led by Wayne Rooney and supported by midfielders Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole - players capable of punishing any defensive lapse.

Once again, the Americans chased the game within minutes of this June 12 kickoff. Just as they had conceded to Jan Koller of the Czech Republic in the fifth minute four years earlier, the US defense cracked early against England. In the fourth minute, after an England throw-in, Lampard pushed the ball to Emile Heskey, who eluded Jay DeMerit and sliced a pass to Gerrard. The Liverpool captain sprinted free ahead of a momentarily inattentive Ricardo Clark and pushed the ball into the net from 10 yards with the outside of his right foot, past the diving Tim Howard.

The Americans nearly faced an even greater crisis in the 30th minute when Howard charged off his line to challenge Heskey for a cross, only to have the England striker slide into his ribs, studs up. Howard writhed on the turf, and for several tense moments, it appeared the US might lose their goalkeeper.

"He had every right to go for that ball, the same as I did," Howard said. "Initially, I was in a lot of pain. I was going to give myself 5 or 10 minutes to get through it. I felt a lot of discomfort."

Five minutes before halftime, the Americans received the break that defined their World Cup. Twenty-five yards from goal, Clint Dempsey spun to his left, then to his right, separating himself from Gerrard before firing a left-footed shot that seemed harmless enough. England goalkeeper Robert Green positioned himself to make what should have been a routine save. The ball bounced once, then twice, and Green scooped it up on one knee. But as he attempted to gather the ball, it seemed to short-hop him and skidded off his gloves. Green turned to his right and dived desperately, hoping to redeem his mistake, but the ball rolled slowly, agonizingly over the goal line.

"I hit it with my left," Dempsey recalled. "I hit it well, but I hit it right in the center of goal. At the last minute, it did look like it moved a little bit, because these balls move all over the place, but still, it's a shot you'd think the keeper would make a save on. At the same time, I'll take it because that's the second goal I've scored in the World Cup."

For Dempsey, the goal carried special significance. He had become only the second American, after Brian McBride, to score in two World Cups, and he had done so on the sport's biggest stage against one of its most traditional powers.

With the score level, the Americans demonstrated the defensive cohesion that had been their calling card since the Spain upset in the Confederations Cup. Onyewu grew more comfortable and assertive as the match progressed. DeMerit played with characteristic scrappiness, while Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra refused to let attackers get behind them. Michael Bradley was particularly effective, dropping deep in midfield to disrupt England's rhythm and provide additional defensive support. The American defense successfully neutralized Rooney, England's most dangerous threat. 

"That's the only way you can make his day difficult," DeMerit explained. "If you let a player like that turn and run at you, you're going to have a long day."

The US nearly completed a stunning upset in the second half. In the 64th minute, Jozy Altidore demonstrated the pace England's defense lacked, outrunning Jamie Carragher with embarrassing ease. But Green, seeking redemption for his earlier error, made some amends by turning Altidore's angled shot onto the post. Howard, playing through his rib injury with the help of a halftime cortisone shot, made several crucial saves to preserve the draw. His steadfast performance provided the foundation for the American resistance.

“This ball’s doing silly things,” Howard said. “Unfortunately, at this level, those things happen. I feel terribly for him, but with goalkeeping, you have to have broad shoulders.”

The 1-1 draw represented more than just a point in the Group C standings—it validated American soccer's progress on the world stage. While not matching the stunning 1-0 upset of 1950, it demonstrated that the US could compete with traditional powers through organization, determination, and tactical discipline.

"The result is terrific," Donovan said afterward. "A few of us were talking about how we're a little disappointed that we didn't play better with the ball, didn't maybe find a way to win the game. Maybe another day we do. I think all things considered, playing one of the best teams in the world, getting a point out of the first game is a big plus."

The performance was characteristically American - full of resolve rather than beauty, with defenders hustling, sliding, diving, and heading away crosses. It was precisely the type of effort that had carried them to success against Spain and would be essential for advancement from the group stage.

"We're glad it's over," Howard said. "We talked about England for six months, a lot of hype and pressure. Now it's about soccer for the Americans."

With Slovenia and Algeria remaining in Group C, the Americans had positioned themselves perfectly for advancement to the Round of 16. The draw with England had provided both confidence and momentum as they prepared for their next challenge.