To be precise: McBride was in the goalkeeper's line of sight, which qualifies as "gaining an advantage".
As to England wanting to avoid Germany: In the end it doesn't matter, because if you want to win the cup, you have to be able to beat ANY other team.
Personally I think that a match England vs. Germany could go either way: True, Germany played some not-so-convincing matches during the preparation for the world cup. However: nothing that England showed so far makes me believe that they are a better team than Germany.
In the end, a soccer World Cup is about more than who has the highest-paid players, but it's about the best team, about heart and balls. You have to keep in mind: These are the creme-de-la-creme of international soccer. Out of these 32 teams at least 15-20 teams could win the world cup, IF THEY REALLY WANT TO. And that means: Yes, the US could beat Brazil if the soccer Gods are on their side.
Soccer is not about being the best. Soccer is about facing destiny, about taking fate into your own hands, it's about eternal glory and making history. That is the reason why Germany and England still discuss games from fourty years ago. And that's why the soccer world cup is earth's biggest sporting event, eclipsing even the Olympic Games.
It will happen. First game after the round of 3.
Oh, would that be my greatest prediction of all time. Hey, it could happen.
Great post!
Cheers.
Unfortunately, the soccer Gods are recreational Samba dancers.