U.S. 1, England 1

BOSTON -- Put aside all objectivity this afternoon and watched the first half of the United States-England World Cup soccer match at a restaurant near TD Garden. Was joined by a couple of other basketball writers. The place was packed an hour before kickoff and was really rocking after the U.S.'s Clint Dempsey tied the score at 1-all with a two-hopper that eluded England goalkeeper Robert Green, who redeemed himself with a fine save on a Jozy Altidore in the second half. As a rule, we Americans have a tough time with draws. It offends their sensibilities, but I gotta tell ya, this tie felt very much like a victory.