IRENE, South Africa: England manager Fabio Capello has drilled home the message to his team that set-pieces can be the difference between winning and losing at the World Cup and the United States have clearly taken note.

With free-kick specialists Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, the always-dangerous Wayne Rooney and the aerial threat of Peter Crouch and skipper John Terry -- Capello`s team pose several threats from dead-ball positions.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has faced those challenges on a regular basis in England`s Premier League, where he plays for Everton, says it is vital his defenders limit set-piece opportunities in the World Cup opener against England on Saturday.

"I`m a firm believer in that you give away a certain amount of free kicks you`ll give up a goal, without question. In modern day football, I don`t know the statistics but I know it`s, very high the amount of goals scored from set-pieces," he said.

"Rest assured if we give up too many live free kicks and too many direct free kicks around the box and corner kicks we`ll probably get punished for it.

"So its important that we`re solid in our defending, that we`re getting cover over and not leaving people isolated one on one, because that`s a lot of times when fouls happen," he told reporters.

"And just being smart, sometimes you have to give away corners but hopefully they won`t be needless."

Howard also said the U.S. coaching staff have been warning their players against getting involved in dissent with match officials during what could be a fiery encounter between two English-speaking teams.

"Refereeing is an impossible job and emotions run high on both teams, so we`ve been warned to keep our emotions in check and watch our mouths.

"I`m sure we`re going to try to the best of our ability to do that. I don`t think it will go 100 percent as planned, but we have a lot of respect for the referees so there won`t be any problems from our end," he said.

BDST: 1152hrs, June 11, 2010
SA