A draw to open with your toughest opponents in a group is a good result the way world cup groups work, because you're denying your opponent 3 points. Teams go through with three points by getting three draws from time to time, but never from winning one and losing two.

I didn't think the US played all that well tbh, I definitely think they can do better than that, apart from a 10 minute spell after England's goal. Donovan stood out individually, as did the pace of Findley. Altidore (think it was him) should've scored that shot which Robert Green managed to nudge off on to the post, you won't get a goalkeeper out of place that often. The goal was from a nothing shot, had it been top corner then fine, but keepers should save those all day, and had this happened I expect the US having to (eventually) over commit would lead to their downfall when hit on the counter with the pace of Rooney and Lennon.

As for England, it was ok, but yet again we've reverted to simple lump it up the park football. It's not going to work if we get into the latter stages, it goes over our biggest attacking threats, and teams like Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Holland etc just aren't going to give the ball back if we keep lumping it up. Green needs to be benched, he's not a great shot stopper, his strength is supposed to be consistency, but it hasn't been this season and the Dempsey goal was one of several occasions where he was out of position. Other than that it was generally positive, apart from Lampard and Rooney, neither of whom were really in the game too much, but part of that was down to how we played. I would've preferred to see Cole come on for Milner, as we could've used a player who can slow the pace of the game down and not give away the ball at that point in the match. Thought Heskey had a fantastic game other than his one on one, Gerrard was everywhere and the control and finish for the goal was very clever, Glen Johnson looked a real threat at all times. SWP was a bit of out place and although Lennon impressed some I think he had a few poor first touches where a world class player wouldn't have, which lead to his following on crosses not being fantastic.

I think we'll look a lot better with Barry back in the team.