If you like toothless, just watch the Scottish Premier League (SPL). Lots of dentist visits there ...
We (the US) are closing the gap, slowly but surely. Compare the England team's lineup against ours, and 2-0 at Wembley isn't necessarily an awful result. Our main problem was the inability of our midfield to cleanly receive passes and release players quickly. Ricardo Clark played a horrible game, and Michael Bradley was nowhere to be found for much of it. Certainly much of that is a credit to Owen Hargreaves, who was man of the match IMO. Methinks Sir Alex doesn't entirely play to Hargreaves' many strengths. Eddie Johnson flashed bits of why he held so much promise at one time, but his lateral dribbles won't cut it against Prem opposition/talents. The only real bright spots for the US were Clint Dempsey, who was woefully miscast on the right wing but shows again and again that he fears no defender, and Demarcus Beasley (who, interestingly, might have solved Sven-Goran Eriksson's LW problems at Man City had he stayed), although Beasley's delivery from set pieces was disappointing. Neither Johnson nor Wolff showed much ingenuity in pressing the English defense. But then, John Terry & Rio Ferdinand are 2 of the top 5 centrebacks in the world!
Technically England are better than us. Their awareness of off-ball movement is far superior, and their commitment to press advantages was the deciding difference. I think they will be a challenger for WC2010 champions under Capello, and play to their strengths - as long as their forwards stay healthy and Joe Hart is the answer. It is obvious that Gerrard MUST stay healthy for them to get anywhere, though.
I fear the result against Spain will be even worse, whereas against Argentina we can get a draw.
So, will Everton actually advance in Europe this year?

Don't take too long, once Frank gets Big Phil we
Man City acolytes will be taking your place ...