There is about to be another American Revolution coming this weekend but it won’t be about freedom from the British. This time it will be about earning respect as a soccer country in the 2010 World Cup this Saturday when America takes on England.

Respect is something that the Brits don’t give the United States when it comes to soccer. History is not on the American side as England has consistently performed better in international competition, but if England thinks that all they have to do is show up to win their match-up with America then they will be sorely mistaken.

For all the history that England has on their side, the United States has at least one fact in their corner. The last time England and the U.S. met in the World Cup was back in 1950 and the Americans shocked England 1-0, so it isn’t entirely impossible.

Of course the odds are stacked against the Americans to beat England but it won’t be as easy as most England fans are thinking.

Both teams have been bitten by the injury bug in the months leading up the World Cup. The offense and defense of the Americans are attempting to battle back from injuries. The best defender on the American side, Oguchi Onyewu is battling to return to form from an earlier knee injury.

One of the better forwards for the U.S., Jozy Altidore, is nursing an ankle injury and is battling back in hopes of returning to action in the World Cup.

England also is having its fair share of injury problems as one of their most popular players, David Beckham, is out after an Achilles injury.

Landon Donovan will be competing in his third-consecutive World Cup and is the clear leader of the team for the U.S. To say the Americans had a rough go in the 2006 World Cup would be an understatement.

The U.S. opened up 2006 with a bad 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic but bounced back to tie eventual champions Italy 1-1. Unfortunately for the U.S., it lost its final match to Ghana 2-1 and were forced home after group play.

Expectations for U.S. soccer have risen in recent years as anything less than getting out of group play and advancing to the Round of 16 would be a disappointment.

With the group that the Americans have in front of them it should be obtainable. After their match-up with England, the U.S. will face Slovenia and then take on Algeria in their final match. Even if the Americans were to falter to England, their chances to advance would be augmented with victories over Slovenia and Algeria.

Of course soccer is not the most popular game in the United States but it is in the world. Every four years when the World Cup rolls around I hear the same knocks on the sport that other countries call futbol. That complaint is from fans moaning about the lack of scoring in soccer.

On the surface, a 1-0 result in a soccer match does not look exciting to the casual fan but once a fan starts to dissect a game it gets a whole lot more exciting. Soccer fans’ hearts start to race every time a scoring opportunity is presented for their team, especially when the team is representing their country.

While watching sports in America, we have the opportunity to select a team that we choose to like no matter the sport or competition. In the World Cup however, fans will cheer for their country to have a good showing and show the world that they can play.

Saturday at noon, hopefully the United States will show England and the rest of the world that they can play soccer at a top level as well.

Jake Gordon: jgordon@tooeletranscript.com