US Ready for England Challenge

US soccer faces their toughest stretch of friendly matches in national team history.  Beginning with the daunting task of facing England in Wembley on Wednesday the US will follow with difficult games against Spain and Argentina.  The goal is to prepare the Americans for their upcoming World Cup qualifying series against Barbados next month.   If they survive the task of facing three world powers they wil be more than ready to handle minnows Barbados who should not pose anything more than a small speed bump in World Cup qualifying.

It all starts against an English team still smarting from its failure to qualify for this summer's European championships. Yet the imperious presence of new coach Fabio Capello now dominates the English footballing landscape, and after suffering his first defeat in March against France, he'll be eager to get his charges back on track against the Americans.   Expect all the major characters to play for England as John Terry has been named Captain of the squad.  Wayne Rooney will be up top.....Frank Lampard will be in the midfield and expect to see David Beckham in the side as well.

The Americans wil field a strong side as well as the major European based players are all in camp as well as home based player Landon Donovan.  The US can win this game and they know it.  Coach Bob Bradley said last week  'Are we expecting to win? We come with the idea of competing with a good team and finding a way to win so I suppose the answer is yes."