Clark a World Cup starter for U.S. vs. England

The lineup sheets are coming out, and Atlanta soccer standout Ricardo Clark has been named to start against England Saturday in the World Cup opening match for the United States.

The rest of Bob Bradley’s starters: GK — Tim Howard; D — Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra; M — Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey; F — Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley.

Findley, a late addition to the American squad, was a surprise to make it to South Africa, and certainly a surprise for this match too. His speed is his greatest asset, as Bradley seeks to replace the same qualities to feature with Altidore after the loss of Charlie Davies.

And the England XI selected by manager Fabio Capello: GK — Robert Green; D — Glen Johnson, John Terry, Ledley King, Ashley Cole; M — Aaron Lennon, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner; F — Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey.

Clark will be busy as a holding midfielder contending with England’s Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, along with the speedy winger Aaron Lennon.

A couple of live chats that are ongoing during the match if you’re interested: From an American perspective; and from England.

The pregame show is on now in the U.S. on ABC; with kickoff around 2:30 p.m.

Former Atlanta Thrashers announcer J.P. Dellacamera, who’s called plenty of international soccer and World Cup matches, is interviewed by my ex-AJC colleague John Manasso at foxsportsouth.com.

Dellacamera is calling the U.S.-England match today for ESPN Radio.

Update: The final from Rustenberg is 1-1, with Clark playing all 90 minutes. He got turned easily on Gerrard for the England goal, but that was set up by a bad pass by Michael Bradley.

American defense showed some cracks, and Tim Howard deservedly was named man of the match in the nets, but the U.S. nets a very valuable point against a top-notch foe.