PRETORIA, South Africa — If the U.S. and England finish even on all tiebreakers for second place in World Cup Group C, a drawing of lots to determine which team advances will take place at Soccer City in Johannesburg one hour after the games.
The U.S. plays Algeria at Pretoria, and England meets Slovenia at Port Elizabeth today in the final matches of the group, both at 8 a.m. MDT.
Slovenia (1-0-1) leads with four points, followed by the U.S. and England (both 0-0-2) with two apiece, and Algeria (0-1-1) with one. The U.S. and England both have even goal differences, and the Americans are ahead 3-1 in the next tiebreaker, goals scored.
If the Americans and English both draw and England scores two more goals than the U.S. today, both teams would finish tied for second, requiring the drawing of lots.
U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said the lots would be similar to the World Cup draw in that a person selected by FIFA would select a ball from a bowl to determine which team advances.
Footnotes.
American Jozy Altidore missed the first part of training Tuesday because of an upset stomach, but coach Bob Bradley said the forward will be ready for today’s game.
• Charges were dropped against two Dutch women who had faced prosecution for allegedly taking part in an ambush marketing campaign for a brewing company at a match.
• FIFA said it will not investigate Brazil coach Dunga for allegedly cursing at journalists at the official World Cup news conference after his team’s 3-1 victory Sunday over Ivory Coast.
The Associated Press
