Today I'm going back 27 years to 1994 and England's Friendly International against recent hosts of the World Cup the USA at Wembley Stadium. England were placed 18th in FIFA's rankings having not qualified for that World Cup with the USA ranked 22nd so we might have expected a close game. In practice it was anything but however as England looked markedly superior to their American opponents.
England took an overdue lead in the 33rd minute with Alan Shearer beating a strangely hirsute looking Brad Friedel at his near post. Defender and flame haired USA hero of that summer's World Cup, Alexei Lalas, had failed to close Shearer down quickly enough and looked very ordinary on the night. Shearer got England's second too just before half time following an excellent cross from Blackburn Rovers team mate Graeme le Saux. Shearer steered his header just inside the post in what was an excellent finish. There was to be no further scoring although Sheringham did have one ruled out that would probably have been given today. England had performed well and deserved their win.
The game was Terry Venables fourth game in charge and England's team had a relatively unfamiliar look on the night with Barry Venison making his debut (he went on to win just one further cap). Rob Jones of Liverpool was winning his fifth cap, Graeme le Saux his fourth and Teddy Sheringham his third. Apparently England were trying to perfect their Christmas Tree formation that night but with so many gifts being presented by the USA perhaps it should have been termed the Thanksgiving formation?
CRB Match No. 914
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