USA vs. England World Cup: Post Game Thoughts

There are major questions about the England players on the field for Coach Capello to brood over in the next few days.

Goal : Robert Green made one calamitous error that brought the game back to 1-1. At this level, one goal leads can be very valuable and the boss will be sleepless tonight about who to start in goal for the next game.

Defense : Ledley King got the start ahead of Jamie Carragher. I actually felt that Carragher would have been a better start because he'll be playing with his club mate Glen Johnson on the right half of the defense. King apparently picked up a groin strain and Capello made that Carragher for King switch for the second half. Unfortunately, Carragher has little pace and was exposed by Jozy Altidore. Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson had decent games but their passing and crossing have not been effective.

Midfield : Steven Gerrard has been reasonably good in this game but as is the problem - when he shines, Lampard is stifled and vice versa. That's not going to work. But Capello has problems with the Milner situation. His inexperience is showing badly. Shaun Wright Phillips hasn't distinguished himself in this game either. What price to have Adam Johnson as an option right now - who is unfortunately sitting at home. Capello has no choice now I'm sure but to start Joe Cole in the next game. The good news is that Gareth Barry may be 100% fit and Capello can go with his first choice midfield of Barry, Lampard, Gerrard and Cole which allows Lampard and Gerrard to express themselves better without cancelling each other out.

Attack : Emile Heskey was involved in setting up Steven Gerrard for England's goal and has been reasonably good as the battering ram and physical presence up front. But Heskey had three clean scoring chances and missed on all of them. You really can't have a striker who can't score goals - that's a huge liability. Capello saw enough and switched Heskey and brought on Peter Crouch. Crouch has not made an impact since he came on and Capello may now have to consider Jermain Defoe as the England attack looks increasingly blunt. Wayne Rooney has worked hard today but was tightly marked out of the game. If Rooney can't score then there has to be another natural goalscorer on the field. That is Jermain Defoe.

A 1-1 draw for England isn't a great result even though the USA is their toughest opponent and the games should get easier from here on for England at the group stage. But England needed the win to really affirm their status as tournament favorites.

I think we will see a very different starting line-up in the next game against Algeria. Coach Capello will not be a happy man tonight.