American soccer icon Alexi Lalas insists the USA can upset England in today's World Cup opener.

Lalas scored for the USA in a shock 2-0 win over England 17 years ago, and he believes the current side are more than capable of overcoming their more-fancied opponents.

"The United States have an incredible opportunity to beat England," Lalas told the Guardian.

"Fabio Capello's team think they are much better than they actually are and Bob Bradley's side really are much better than most people seem to think.

"[USA] are strong defensively and in players such as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, Bradley's side have real attacking ability.

"I just hope they don't retreat into their shells too much against England. I don't want to see them concede too much ground it's important that we attack Capello's side because they are ripe for defeat."