The United States opens the 2010 World Cup against England on June 12, in what will be a critical match for both sides. Since they are considered the best two teams in Group C, a loss for either is not expected to be fatal to their hopes of progressing. However, a look at the past three World Cups indicates that both desperately need to avoid an opening defeat.

In the three World Cups played under the current format, the first matches have been notably prescient about each team's future in the tournament. Thirty-six teams have won their first matches since 1998, and an eyebrow-raising 31 of those teams (84.6 percent) reached the knockout stage.

On the other side of the result, losing the first match has been a virtual death knell, as only three of the 36 losers (8.3 percent) bounced back to reach the round of 16.

An opening-match draw leaves the possibilities wide open. Fourteen of 24 teams (58.3 percent) to tie their first game proceeded to the knockout round.

Should the United States lose to England, its own World Cup history is equally ominous. The Americans have participated in seven World Cups with a group stage. Of the three times they advanced, the team twice opened with a win (1930 and 2002) and once with a tie (1994). The United States was eliminated in the group stage all four times after losing its opener.

One glimmer of hope remains should the Stars & Stripes falter. All three of the teams that rebounded to advance after losing their openers lost to a seeded power such as England. Ukraine lost to Spain in 2006, while Ghana fell to eventual champion Italy the same year, and Turkey was nudged by 2002 winner Brazil before going on to finish third.

England would potentially face an even greater disaster should it fall to the United States. Only two of 24 seeded teams since 1998 have lost in the first match. Neither survived the group stage, while both opponents reached the round of 16.

Defending champion France famously lost the 2002 tournament's opening game, 1-0 to Senegal, and never recovered en route to finishing last in its group. Spain blew a 2-1 lead to Nigeria to lose its 1998 opener, and a draw against Paraguay and 6-1 romp over Bulgaria were not enough to send La Furia Roja to the round of 16.

These numbers only deepen the sense of urgency that the United States, England and the other 30 countries ought to bring to their opening matches when the tournament begins on June 11.

Paul Carr is a researcher for the ESPN Stats & Information group.