England takes early 1-0 lead. Real early. **

Over in Rustenburg, South Africa, Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard scored in the fourth minute of the big World Cup showdown between the U.S. and England. "It's not good to fall behind that early -- in any game let alone the first game of the World Cup," ABC's announcer said. (Oh, really?) L.A. is representing with Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle of the Galaxy and former UCLA Bruins Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein and Benny Feilhaber. Bornstein also plays for Chivas USA. Follow my Twitter activity here.

* Update: U.S. ties it 1-1 on a goal by Clint Dempsey. England's goalkeeper being blamed. ABC: "One of the softest goals you'll ever see at this level of football."

** Final score: 1-1, so the underdog U.S. will take it and be happy.