RUSTENBURG, South Africa, June 12 (UPI) -- Clint Dempsey's goal on a misplay by England goalie Rob Green Saturday enabled the United States to a forge a 1-1 tie in World Cup Group C play.
Trailing 1-0 in the 39th minute, Dempsey got off an innocuous left-footed shot from 25 yards that Green stopped along the ground with two hands. But instead of easily grasping the ball, he let it bounce away from him and into the net for one of the more spectacular blunders in recent memory.
With the gift, the U.S. pulled even at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, and rode five saves from goalkeeper Tim Howard to gain a point in the Group C standings.
It looked like it would be long day for the United States after England took a quick 1-0 lead. The Britons found a hole in the American defense when Steven Gerrard scored off a give-and-go with forward Emile Heskey in only the third minute.
But the United States tightened up defensively after that and mostly kept star Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney in check.
The United States will meet Slovenia and England will play Algeria Thursday when Group C play resumes.
