If you listened to the English prior to today's big game, the Americans were no match for them. Our starting lineup, whoever they might be, were a bunch or wankers who wouldn't be fit to shine England's shoes. But with that being said, the English conveniently forgot one thing: the American goalkeeper, former Metro Tim Howard, is one of the best in the world. His counterpart, whoever England decided to start today, is not.

And the English honor went to Robert Green, whose Gaffe of the Century led to the US tying the game at 1:1. On the other end, Howard was often spectacular, keeping the English at bay and earning Man of the Match honors.

With four former homegrown Metros: Howard, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, and Jozy Altidore in the starting lineup, one couldn't help but feel proud before the kickoff. But that sense of pride quickly dissipated, as just four minutes in the match, Clark let Steven Gerrard blow by him, and the England midfielder slotted one past Howard for an early lead.

That goal would be all Tim would allow. Midway through the first half, he made a gutsy decision to swarm the ball in the danger area, hurting his hand in the process. Howard battled on, took painkillers at halftime, and proceeded to stun England time and again, robbing the likes of Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney, and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The save on Heksey on a breakaway early in the second half was simply magnificent.

The US tied the game in the 40th minute. Clint Dempsey's long low shot went through the penalty area, and should have been easily saved by Green. Instead, the ball trickled out of the English goalkeeper's hands and into the net, shocking everyone in the stadium and beyond.

Bradley and Altidore acquired themselves well; Bradley was his usual rock in midfield, and Altidore had the US's best chance of the second half, when he raced along the left endline, and hit a shot to Green's short side. The English bum barely parried it -- the ball went off the post and out. Oh well.

When Edson Buddle entered as a late substitute, for a moment there were five ex-Metros on the field. Truly an astonishing accomplishment.

But today belonged to Howard. Way to go, Timmy! Metro Forever.