Old country vs. new country. Soccer vs. football. Top sport status vs. niche sport status. It seems all that both the US and England share when it comes to soccer is the English language. One can argue the style of play is similar. Play strong and tight defensively and in the middle of the park and hope you get a goal on a set piece or something similar.

Soccer is everything in England and it’s nothing more to many here than just something kids play then abandon once they get to high school and college. But the U.S. is clearly improving as a soccer nation, with MLS and its national teams getting more press for their ascension. We’ve finally found a way to start winning in Europe against European nations but we’re at the precipice of our next step. Beating some of the top teams in the world in their house, with their top players.

But we’re not there yet. We’ve got our work cut out for us and it starts with this match vs. England. They will have a near “A” team, they will be playing at home at Wembley, and new manager Fabio Capello will not want to be embarrassed in this game. So England will be motivated. But so will the USA. We’re playing collectively and with a good team spirit right now. We’re hungry for a win here, to show the world we can play with anyone. And, other than perhaps, Jozy Altidore, we have our best possible team in England for this match?

Can it be done? Possible, but not likely. I think a tie would be a good result for the USA, a close loss would not be bad if the USA plays well. A huge loss and the team will be deflated and scratch its collective head.

Tactics? We need to be strong defensively and clog the middle. The likely midfield pairing of Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark will have to work well together and individually to keep possession and get the ball up to the wing players like Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley. I don’t think England will “outspeed” us, but their players are more technically and tactically sound than we are. We need to rely on team help-out, pick our spots and finish our chances.

If we do that, we can keep the game close and perhaps pull off the upset. If that happens, it will be big news in the UK. I’m sure people will be calling for Fabio Capello’s head. And all the while, the USA will be basking in the glow of its growing international reputation. Go USA!

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