England 2-0 United States: John Terry bounced back from his traumatic penalty miss in last week's Champions League final to score England's opening goal in their 2-0 win over the United States in a friendly international at Wembley tonight.
Although the goal was no real consolation for the nightmare he
suffered in Moscow when his penalty miss cost Chelsea the chance of
becoming European champions, it was hugely celebrated by his team
mates and the crowd alike.
Steven Gerrard added England's second after 59 minutes to
give Fabio Capello his second win in his third match as England
boss.
But overall the two teams provided little quality
entertainment for the 71,000 crowd although the second half was a
vast improvement on a woeful opening 45 minutes.
Terry, captain for the night as Capello rotates his
candidates for the armband before deciding on his permanent choice,
had a masterful game at the centre of defence alongside Rio
Ferdinand and capped his performance with the opening goal after 38
minutes.
It was his first goal for England since he scored in their
first international at the new Wembley against Brazil almost
exactly a year ago.
He was the first to react to a well-flighted free kick from
David Beckham, winning his 101st cap, and headed down powerfully,
ironically from close to the penalty spot, leaving US goalkeeper
Tim Howard helpless to save it.
England raised the tempo after halftime and thoroughly
deserved their second goal.
The strike came a minute after Gareth Barry replaced Frank
Lampard, and Barry, who could be a team mate of Gerrard at
Liverpool next season, provided the final through pass for Gerrard.
He timed his run perfectly, and then slid in a low angled
shot that gave substitute goalkeeeper Brad Guzan no chance.
Barry's inclusion on the left gave the England midfield more
balance and bite and Jermain Defoe had two good scoring chances and
Wayne Rooney another as England continued to dominate the match,
restricting the visitors to a few isolated breaks that came to
nothing.
England, who have failed to qualify for Euro 2008, travel to
Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday for their final international of
the season on Sunday while the United States play friendlies
against Spain and Argentina before beginning their World Cup
qualifying campaign against Barbados in California on June
15th.