We Lucked Out

Dec. 5, 2009 -- The early word is the U.S. got off easy in yesterday's World Cup draw, so easy in fact, that a berth in the second round is all but guaranteed.

That may be an overstatement, and of course there is a reason they play the games. But let's face it, we could have done worse than England, Slovenia and Algeria. And don't forget - the top two team go through. So a loss to England does not end the hopes of advancement.

So here is the schedule for Group C: June 12 - England; June 18 - Slovenia; June 23 - Algeria. Mark your calendars.

Soccer journalists always pick a "Group of Death," that considered the toughest of the eight groups of four. This year that honor goes to Group G with Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea and Portugal.

The last time the U.S. played England in the World Cup was 1950 when the Americans pulled off a stunning 1-0 upset in Belo Horizonte, Brazil as Joey Gaetjens headed in a cross from Philadelphia's Walt Bahr. The game was the subject of the 1995 film, "The Game of Their Lives."

For Jere Longman's excellent coverage of the draw in the New York Times, see: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/05/sports/soccer/05draw.html?ref=sports