June 12, 2010

RUSTENBURG, South Africa- A popular pre-World Cup viral video by a shoe company depicted English striker Wayne Rooney making a stellar play that writes a future of dream scenarios for the Manchester United star, including knighthood.

Saturday's FIFA World Cup Group C opener against the United States did nothing to expedite an encounter between Rooney and Queen Elizabeth II, thanks in large part to UIC alum Jay DeMerit.

DeMerit, a 2002 UIC graduate and one of the backline starters for the U.S. versus the Three Lions, took on the monumental task of marking Rooney and held the world-class striker in check as the Red, White and Blue rallied for a key 1-1 tie in the Group C opener.

A four-year stalwart in the Flames' defense, DeMerit showed why he is considered one of the keys to U.S. success on the world's grandest soccer stage. He stabilized a defense that many international critics considered the Yanks' weakest asset and locked down on the dangerous Rooney, who is widely considered one of the best players on the planet.

DeMerit was singled out after the match by broadcast analysts Ruud Gullit, Alexi Lalas, Steve McManaman, and Tommy Smyth, among others, for his stellar job defending against Rooney.

The U.S. recovered from an early 1-0 deficit thanks to Clint Dempsey's equalizer in the 40th minute. Despite plenty of push forward by the English attack, DeMerit and the defense held tight and kept the Brits off the board to earn a crucial point.

DeMerit, the first UIC product to play in a World Cup, and the U.S. play Slovenia this Friday, June 18 at 9 a.m. Central. UIC Athletics will host a World Cup Watch Party for that contest at Union Park Lounge, located at 228 S. Racine Ave. For more information on the watch party, click here.