GO
Oguchi Onyewu insists the United States expect to defeat England in their World Cup opener.
The AC Milan defender is adamant the USA are determined to stick to own game-plan rather than look to frustrate Wayne Rooney and Co in Rustenburg.
Last summer the Americans reached the final of the Confederations Cup after toppling Euro 2008 winners Spain and were only beaten 3-2 by Brazil in the final after leading 2-0.
Onyewu, who is fit again after seven months out of action with a knee injury, said: "With our performances and results last summer, we gained a little bit more respect in the world.
"It gives you a confidence and the realisation we are playing at the highest level and can compete with the best teams in the world.
"It definitely gives us that added motivation but whether it helps us in this tournament, we will have to wait and see.
"The Confederations Cup was last year. This Saturday is the World Cup and it is a completely different monster.
"It is a different entity. But the experience we picked up can only help us going into this tournament."
Onyewu has plenty of respect for Fabio Capello's side but claims the amount of success they may have in South Africa will depend on whether they gel as a team.
He said: "England are a very good team with very good players but it is about how those players play together and that is going to be the important deciding factor.
"Our expectations are to get a win. In terms of frustrating players, that is an element of the game.
"But our game-plan is not to try to frustrate them for as long as we can and then try to get a goal.
"Our game-plan is to go out there and play the way we know how to play, defend and attack well, and to get goals if the chances come."
Onyewu has reiterated the stance of coach Bob Bradley in that the USA player will not try to wind up Manchester United striker Rooney, whose temperament has again been in the spotlight this week.
He said: "It is not in my game-plan to try to wind Rooney up.
"I know that he is a very competitive player and I respect that part of his game.
"For me and the rest of the guys, we are focusing on our game plan as opposed to theirs."
