Not glorious, but good enough appeared to be the verdict of US fans as their team opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against England in South Africa on Saturday.

The Group C tie against the longtime footballing power had whetted the appetite of US fans, sixty years after the United States pulled off a shock 1950 World Cup upset of England in Brazil.

President Barack Obama marked the occasion with a pre-match good luck message to the US side via Twitter.

"Best of luck to the US soccer team, you're representing all of us at the World Cup. We're incredibly proud of what you've done already," said the president, whose Saturday included that form of football more familiar to most US parents - a children's match in which his daughter Malia played.

In Boston, Chris Love braved the rain to watch the match on an outdoor screen in Harvard Square at Harvard University because he was turned away from two other venues that were too crowded.

"This is the third place I tried to get into," Love said. "The first two places I couldn't get a seat.

"The USA played well," he added. "It took them awhile to settle into it but we are getting competitive. Today's game was enough."

Henry Halter was among those watching in the jam-packed Red Lion tavern in the Silverlake neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

"I think it's good we have a goalie like we do," Halter said of Tim Howard, who kept England at bay in the second half.

"I was glad the US were able to maintain in the second half. Tim Howard saved it for us."

The Red Lion opens its doors at 6am throughout the World Cup, showing matches that draw fans loyal to a host of teams.

Saturday's crowd included plenty of England fans, who erupted when England captain Steven Gerrard put his side up 1-0 with a fourth minute strike at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Their groans were drowned out by delighted cheers when England keeper Robert Green blundered and allowed Clint Dempsey to equalise five minutes before halftime.

"I think we're happy with this," Halter said, noting that a US victory "would have been much more of an upset for them. "I'm happy."

Back in Boston, where the Celtics' ongoing battle with the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA championship has dominated sports news, Adam Hoyt, a swimming coach from Medford, Massachusetts, agreed.

"We will take the tie," he said.

Ajit Verghese, a 32-year-old from East Boston, was pleased to see the level of interest in the match.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP