As the afterglow of the United States’ World Cup-opening draw with England wears off, they are left with some very sobering realities. They play a must-have trap game Friday against just the kind a Central European team they never beat, and may have to do it sans yesterday’s Man of the Match, keeper Tim Howard.
In the World Cup _ where the landscape changes like a child’s Etch A Sketch _ the U.S. has gone from the high of yesterday’s result to a trap game vs. underrated Slovenia. And even though coach Bob Bradley said he thinks Howard can play despite his nasty collision with Emile Heskey, his status is still undetermined for the tilt that’ll likely determine if they survive Group C.
“We’ve said it so many times that we understand what the first round is about. (England was) a big game and a big night, and we take away positive things as we now get ready for Slovenia,” said coach Bob Bradley, noncommittal regarding North Brunswick (NJ) native Howard, who’ll be treated and reexamined.
“He’ll be evaluated later and then a decision will be made as to whether he’ll need further tests. Obviously he was sore _ did a great job of taking a tough hit, and staying in it and playing really well. But we’ll assess him…and figure out then what we need to do from there.”
Certainly there was much to be pleased about from the opening draw, from the back four looking solid to a spry CB Oguchi Onyewu holding off Wayne Rooney in a footrace to the central midfield duo of Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark largely negating stars Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, the latter’s goal aside.
But then came today, a wrench in U.S. plans. Both Bradley and England’s Fabio Capello had no doubt hoped for a draw between Slovenia and Algeria, preferably a scoreless one. And they seemed destined for just that, until Robert Koren’s 79th-minute winner put Slovenia atop Group C.
“The second game is going to be even harder,” said Onyewu. “I think it’s important for us to use our momentum from this game and to push it towards the next two games. It’s going to be very difficult, even more difficult as the tournament goes on and the results get more crucial.”
Assuming England dispatches Algeria, Friday becomes do-or-die. If the United States loses, Slovenia would be qualified with six points, England in second with four, and the United States in trouble with only one, relying on Slovenia to upset the Three Lions in the Group finale just to get into goal-differential. Not good.
A draw with Slovenia might suffice, a win all but ensuring advancement. But the United States is 0-7-1 in World Cups vs. typically-physical teams from Central Europe, outscored 18-3. And they might be favored, but then again so was England. They need to win it on the field, or at least not lose it.
“We always spoke about the fact that there are three first round games,” said RB Steve Cherundolo. “It’s not just England.”