Here we are FIFA's #8 v #14. The battle of 1776. The revenge of 1950. Thank you ABC/ESPN for giving us Martin Tyler, but why'd you stick him with John Harkes? Is that the best we have as far as soccer announcers in the US? We haven't yet made it as a soccer nation.

Carlos Bocanerga knows the National anthem better than most of the squad. Also, how come no one every told me that "My Country Tis of Thee" is a straight plagiarism of the non-Sex Pistols version of "God Save the Queen"?

1' The US is falling all over themselves. Is it the field (or pitch as Chris Fowler likes to call it)? FIFA says you can't wear metal studs. But diamond studs are cool as long as you have a fauxhawk or possibly eyeliner.

3' Gerrard shows John Terry that the English can remain elegant whilst tapping home balls in the box. Beautiful pass. Where was Onyewu? Clark was last US defender. Demerit & Bocanegra looked surprised that Gerrard was walking right past them.

8' First reaction. Findley & Onyewu will be first players subbed out for America.

13' Three corners in a row & nothing for the US.

15' My new favorite soccer-ism "stick it in the danger area". Thanks John Harkes. Insert Eric Wynalda/Harkes' wife jokes here.

19' US defense lets England slip by again. Luckily they were able to get in front of that ground cross without tapping it into their own net.

22' The way Rooney runs after every ball, the US may want to keep 2 defenders back at all times

24' England's central defenders show US how to stop the center-back splitting forward pass in the box: i.e. Don't get out of position.

25' Milner has look sloppy & out of place all game. He'll be subbed at half..

26' I've changed my tune on Onyewu. He's too valuable on set pieces to be subbed. But Findley is ineffective and will be gone at half.

27' Again England shows their dangerous speed vs America's tendency to get out of position in the back.

28' Tim Howard shows why he's the most valuable player on US... Then goes down hurt. This is not good. No other goalie could deal this sloppy backline..

30' Well I was right about Milner getting subbed, wrong about when. Wright-Phillips is on for him now. Cappelo doesn't handle failure well.

33' Wright-Phillips immediately displays his speed on the wing. Takes the back on a run around the corner & threads the pass into the front of the box. Milner may not see another start this tourney.

34' Note to US defense. See how England got 6 guys back against that counter?

38' Donovan makes a decent strike. But look at how England constantly clogs the middle in front of the box. 3 guys in front of Altidore & him.

39' Robert Green may not see another start either. Dempsey knew he'd have to make a difference for US to win (and he's the best attacker they have). Bet he didn't think it'd be that easy. For good measure Fulham's better than West Ham. Also Green would be a lousy infielder but a great bullfighter. "What's this Ole' bullshit"

40' No time for love Dr. Jones. England counters before US can fully celebrate. Howard bails out his country again.

42' Martin Tyler is class. "You buy a ticket, sometimes you win the raffle"

43' Beckham & his hair are both glancing off to the right, very distraught-like.

44' The rims of Fabio Capello's glasses look upset.

46' Altidore works Gerrard for a throw-in. Gerrard's only mistake of the night. He kept that in for England, the captain's been everywhere. Frank Lampard who?

2ND HALF

Stepped outside and missed the news on substitutes. Looks like Findley's still in. Hmmmm.

46' DeMerit. Handball. Yellow card. 2 US defenders with cards.

48' Was that luck or skill by the US D? That ball just went across the box straight to DeMerit.

49' Hopefully Dempsey didn't hurt himself too bad. US's two best offensive forces are outside midfielder/wingers (Donovan/Dempsey). Their strikers haven't been a factor at all.

50' Remain calm Rooney. Don't get stupid yellows for yelling at refs. Save your yellows for when the bigger teams are harassing you.

51' Howard has a big bucket. And just keeps bailing his defenders out.

53' England off-sides again. They're going forward almost too aggressively in the second half. They should keep back. They're talented enough to exploit the open holes (especially John Terry. Bam).

58' Again, the US left/right backs are too wide. If that ball didn't bounce to Howard that could have been dangerous.

59' Carragher come on. You don't need to be that aggressive to stop an MLS player.

60' Back to back Liverpudlian fouls. Just like the good ol' days of Red players. Gerrard was just reckless there. He's better than that, that's too close to goal to let Donovan take a free.

61' Bad angle Carlos. He should have stepped out of the way there and let a striker try to do some damage.

62' Lampard show up for the first time. Good space, good shot. Howard again.. Apparently for the US to beat a top team, he has to make 20 saves.

64' Oh Jozy! That's what Hull City wanted from you. Using the linebacker size, speed, & strength to beat the defense and then your skill to turn it into a wide open shot. Green won't get any credit for that back home due to his earlier mistake, but it was brilliant.

66' Great movement and passing by England. This is how they should be using their talents against weak US midfield/defense. Posses them to death and win makeable free kicks.

69' Rooney, Rooney, Rooney. He's getting furious. The mosquitoes must be getting to him.

72' Really ref? After all you've called, you let Carragher get away with mugging Findley again. That should be a second yellow. In fairness to Findley, that was a great run. The US needs forwards with speed, he should do that more ofter.

73' Rooney again. Damn he's dangerous.

74' Howard again with the bucket. Now the wide backs for the US are too far in.

75' Rooney's almost got this game in his hand. Howard can't keep this up.

76' I've wondered why Heskey was in all game. Crouch would have put that cross in. DeMerit can't match up with the top strikers.

77' Findley was subbed. I'm 2 for 2.

78' Capello saw what I saw & I didn't need the rims. Crouch on for Heskey. Crouch adds a nightmare target for the out of position US backs to defend.

80' Crouch should gravitate to the other side. Onyewu can handle his height..

82' Dempsey seems to be having some trouble staying upright. He's been all over the field playing physically. But did he learn some tricks from his Europa League experience.

83' England with a 4 on 2 break. America lucks out again. Onyewu was brilliant defending Lampard.

85' Altidore doesn't want to come off. Can't blame him. Is Bradley moving Dempsey up? Holden shouldn't be striking.

90' Donovan & Beckham exchanged pleasantries before the match. Donovan admires his hair. Beckham admires Donovan's sash.

91' Crouch is "awkward" according to Martin Tyler. It seems like height discrimination with how he gets used for cards by shorter players. He gets carded for PWT: Playing While Tall

92' Yeah Clint, you're not going to fool Green twice with that stuff.

93' Bradley tried to sub late in order to delay until the whistle. It worked, the game was called before the sub came on.

REFLECTIONS

- Ruud Gillit called it 1-1

- Playing devil's advocate here. This draw could hurt the US if Slovenia or Algeria take away 3 points in their match tomorrow. Someone could have a jumpstart on the lead and if the US struggles to beat both, they could fail.

- Still a tie against England is a great result.

- Cappelo made a tactical mistake by not declaring a starting goalie. It's too psychologically damaging to inexperienced palyers to do that. Tony LaRussa once ruined Rick Ankiel's pitching career by being coy like that.