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World Cup: U.S. vs. England: Oguchi Onyewu and Robbie Findley in starting 11

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G’day from the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.

If the music here on this cool but pleasant evening were any louder, it would blow the names right off the starting lineups, which have just been distributed to the computer-stained wretches of the media.

Big surprise No. 1 for the U.S.: Oguchi Onyewu, who has not played a 90-minute game for seven months, is starting in central defense for Coach Bob Bradley’s team.

Big surprise No. 2 for the U.S.: Robbie Findley, who last November became a Major League Soccer champion with Real Salt Lake but was only a distant blip on the national-team radar, is starting alongside Jozy Altidore at forward.

No real surprises for England. Emile Heskey will accompany Wayne Rooney and try to crack the U.S. back line. Robert Green is in the nets, starting ahead of David James.

The lineups:

U.S. -- Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey; Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley.

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England: Robert Green, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Ledley King, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

Only about 45 minutes left to kickoff. Wonder how the butterflies are faring down in the two locker rooms?

-- Grahame L. Jones, in Rustenburg, South Africa

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