Goalie’s gaffe helps give U.S. 1-1 tie against England

RUSTENBURG, South Africa -- The record will show it was a tie, but it was hardly that.

One found renewed confidence; the other will feel the heat.

The United States and England played to a 1-1 draw Saturday night in their World Cup opener, with American Clint Dempsey scoring on a blunder by goalkeeper Robert Green and U.S. goalie Tim Howard withstanding a second-half barrage by Wayne Rooney and his celebrated teammates.

Steven Gerrard put England ahead in the fourth minute, blowing past Ricardo Clark to beat Howard from short range. Dempsey tied it when Green fumbled his 25-yard shot that skipped off the ground twice.

"I'm sure they were excited in bars back home. I can only imagine it was pretty intense," Howard said. "We're a resilient side, you know. We're a tough side and on our day we can put a good performance in."