Thursday 15th November 2000hrs England v USA Football – International – Friendly It will have been over two years come kick off at Wembley on Thursday, since Wayne Rooney last played for his country but he will get his 120th cap against a country where he now plies his trade in club football. Much has been made of Rooney’s return in the build up to this one and whatever your feelings regarding him playing in the game, it does add a bit more intrigue to what could otherwise have been a fairly dull, winter international game. Continue reading for a match preview of England against the USA with a best bet selected.
England reached the semi final of the World Cup in the summer which was considered at the time as being a huge achievement having travelled to Russia with little expectation, and of course it was, but their last game – a 3-2 win over Spain, in Spain – was perhaps Gareth Southgate’s finest moment in his spell as England’s manager. His players raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half where their forward players were simply scintillating. Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford turned it on and were constant threats with their pace whilst Kane occupied the Spanish defence. It was a real coming of age performance, especially having lost to the same opponent at home only a month before. The win now gives England hope of topping their section, although they will need results to go their way before finishing their UEFA Nation’s League campaign off against Croatia. Before that, Wembley and the English public will get a final chance to wave a fond farewell to the countries record goal scorer who – ironically enough – saw his international career virtually ended as Southgate wished to focus on players who will be able to lead England into major international tournaments for the future. It’s also apt it’s against the States where he is enjoying an Indian summer in his career.
There was a national outcry around this time last year as the USA failed to qualify for the World Cup – the first time they hadn’t reached the finals since 1986. That in itself was bad enough but the manner in which the States were eliminated from CONCACAF qualification was even harder to stomach as they failed to beat Trinidad and Tobago in their final qualifier which resulted in minnows Panama making it in their place. Needless to say it triggered a chance in manager with the experienced Bruce Arena lose his job. Arena (who only took over from Jurgen Klinsmann a year previous) was replaced by Dave Sarachan who was one of the assistants. Although inexperienced at being a head coach at this level, Sarachan has been in and around the national team at various stages and he’s in the midst of a series of friendly matches to rebuild this group of players. His record has been decent without being spectacular but the tests keep on coming with a match against Italy to come next week which will end their year. The last time they visited these shores resulted in a 2-1 loss to the Republic of Ireland in the summer – can they go better this time?!
England v USA Betting Tip
There’s absolutely no doubt that this game has been overshadowed by the coverage given to Rooney and there are plenty who disagree that this gesture should ever have been made but the player himself will be relishing running out for one final time in his country’s colours. His move to MLS in the summer has been a really positive one as he virtually led DC United to a playoff place having been in bottom spot when he arrived. He looks to have a few more years left at that level but he’ll also want to prove he can still do it at this level and will be desperate to add to his 53 international goals.
The US have been competitive in most of their friendly games as they begin what is likely to be a fairly lengthy period of transition, but it’s now just one win in their last six games – that coming at home to Mexico a couple of months ago. Their opponents will still be buoyant after that win in Spain and if they can replicate that level of performance then they will be far too good and should win comfortably and having went over to years since losing a home friendly game, I strongly fancy them to get the better of their visitors. Take England to win without conceding.
Selection: England to win to nil 5/6 @ Betway
