So it’s over after just two games. England are out. It is not quite the dramatic decline that Spain has suffered, but it really shows that the national team are failing, sensationally.
I can’t help but feel my criticism of the USMNT was slightly misplaced, or rather, that people in glass houses should not throw stones. England has the finest develop opportunities of any league in the world, yet our system recruits players from across the globe and neglects the exceptionally talented players in the UK. Of course this reflects in the national side. Gareth Bale, Paul Pogba and Cesc Fabregas are all players who were brought through the youth ranks at English teams. That is the kind of quality being built in the UK, yet our national team is relying on players like Glenn Johnson and Rickie Lambert.
Harry Redknapp, a man who came within a whisker of managing England, has come out and said players actively sought to avoid playing for England. That is disgraceful. The USMNT might not sport the talent of other nations but at least they are genuinely emphatic and honored about representing their country. The UK mock the standard of soccer in other countries, yet how is that possible if our top players don’t want to play. Until we address the lack of opportunities for English players in the domestic league and address this bizarre belief that representing your country at soccer is a ‘chore’, England will not win a World Cup.
While I think the USA was lucky against Ghana and owe a shock first minute goal and poor defending for their win, the unavoidable fact is that they beat a decent side. I still believe the USMNT will either draw or lose today, however, a knee injury to Ronaldo could make a win a lot more likely. They are also in the unenviable position that they will play a wounded Germany side needing a result from their last game. This is very bad news.
Portugal will play to win today and I suspect that they will walk off the field with the result they need. My prediction is 1-0.
Brit In Bethesda 
USA USA USA