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This The big match of Group C gets underway Saturday when England take on USA in a battle between the teams widely expected to finish 1-2 in the Group.

The England squad is packed with top class players, in particular Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, and midfielders Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool.

But although the USA lacks the man for man quality of the English, they are not without players of skill and creativity themselves.

Midfielder Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy is undoubtedly the most high profile of the Americans. His successful10 game loan to English Premier League club Everton earlier this year surely proved even to his most zealous detractors that he can compete among the top teams and players.

Striker Clint Dempsey, who plies his trade in England with Fulham, is another American whose talents are obvious. And goalkeeper Tim Howard has proven time and again that he is a fine stopper for his English club Everton.

Central defense: England and USA have problems in common

England central defender and captain Rio Ferdinand injured his knee on the training ground last week in what seemed an innocuous challenge. He was soon ruled out of the World Cup as a result and England boss Fabio Capello called up Tottenham’s Michael Dawson to replace him.

Despite a good season at the club level, Dawson lacks international experience and so the primary responsibilities for central defense will fall to Tottenham’s talented Ledley King. Though a fine defender, King is fragile, with chronic knee problems.

Central defense is problematic for the USA too. Oguchi Onyewu of AC Milan is coming off a knee problem that has kept him out of the game since late last year. Only in recent weeks has “Gooch” started playing again and his lack of match fitness was initially clear. Still, he claims now to ready for 90 minutes against England. Whether his knee is ready only time will tell.

He’s a big lad, Onyewu, and his readiness for a physical battle may be tested if he has to face the likes of stout England striker Emile Heskey whose physical presence can be imposing. But Onyewu will likely find himself at a greater disadvantage against the pace of England’s small men, Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon or Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Knowledge of the venue may help the Americans

USA may have a small advantage due to their playing experience in South Africa. They competed there in last year’s Confederations Cup, losing in the final to Brazil. They’ve even played in Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Stadium, the venue for Saturday match with England.

Nevertheless, any experiential advantage gained through playing in South Africa is far outweighed by the quality of the England squad. Still, USA boss Bob Bradley and his men are confident.

"It's certainly a big challenge but that's what we're there for. It will be a very special start to the tournament with us playing England -- a team we know very well,” said Bradley, speaking in December after the World Cup draw was announced. "We can be dangerous against very good teams. We feel that this is a group that gives us a very fair chance to get through to the next round."

Rooney is a passionate fellow,…can opponents take advantage?

Much has been made of the possibility that England’s opponents might resort to “winding up” tactics to put Wayne Rooney off his game. The sly kick when the ref’s attention is elsewhere, or casual observations on the behavioral characteristics of female family members are de rigueur in today's game,…perhaps Monsieur Zidane would confirm this.

Yet young master Rooney has matured, and such abuses are unlikely madden him as once they might have. Fabio Capello, however, is taking no chances. According to team captain Steven Gerrard, Capello has called for his players to maintain control, especially with respect to communicating with the referees.

Rooney’s high profile sending-off against Portugal four years ago makes him an obvious focus of his opponents’ attentions and the manager’s admonitions, as does his booking for verbal abuse of a referee in a match against a team of locals earlier this week.

Rooney's history of inelegant responses during heated moments may well be why the Brazilian referee for Saturday’s match is said to be honing his understanding of English insults. But if he wants to have a clue to the meaning of Rooney-isms as passions rise he should be honing his understanding of Scouse.

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