Robert Green conceded one of the softest goals in World Cup memory as England drew the USA 1-1 on Saturday. Had Green not parried Jozy Altidore's second-half blast off the post, partially redeeming his massive error, England might well have lost.

While Green will wear the goat horns in the English press, the better fit is England manager Fabio Capello's head. By leaving Paul Robinson (41 caps) at home, Capello left himself a choice between Green, 39-year-old David "Calamity" James, and the inexperienced Joe Hart for the starting goalkeeper's job.

Capello dithered, giving Calamity the #1 jersey but ultimately starting Green against the Americans. Now what? England are still certainly able to progress in the tournament, but there's no world-class goalkeeper on the team, and it will be hard to win knockout games without one. England has gone out of major championships on penalties in recent years: what goalkeeper on this squad can steal a penalty shootout?

It's hard to know if, during all the pre-tournament foolishness regarding Inter Milan, England committed to Capello past 2012. At GBP 7 million/yr. ($10.1 million/yr.), a nation surely hopes such an expensive error wasn't made. The goal Green conceded was bad, but Capello's selection mistake was worse.