La Copa Mundial: Owen Injury a Blessing in Disguise

England striker Michael Owen tore his anterior cruciate ligament, or as sports fans more knowingly refer to it, his ACL. Just minutes into England's third and final Group Stage match, Owen lost his footing under his cleat, slid awkwardly and buckled his knee. Sure, it looked painful, but it might actually be a blessing for the English.

Owen will probably be out for six months, effectively missing the English Premiership's opening month or two at the least, but more likely missing all action until 2007. Now, Owen's injury is just a new development on a string of bad ones since Dec. 2005. I feel bad for the guy -- he's a competitor, works hard and never complains.

But Owen looked uncomfortable in the first two matches against Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago, respectively. He didn't have his usual pace, quickness or great first touch. At times, Owen drifted out of the match, completely disappearing at critical moments. Owen wouldn't want to be seen as a drifter, a guy who lacks that competitive flame, so maybe this injury will help him more than hurt him, at least figuratively.

At just 18, Owen stepped onto the global stage at World Cup '98, dazzling supporters with his lightning-quick speed and blistering shots. He even scored the goal of the World Cup in England's loss to Argentina, collecting a clearance at midfield, dribbling through several Argentine defenders and finishing with beauty and grace -- a classic Owen goal.

Four years ago at World Cup '02, Owen scored a magnificent goal against Brazil before his teammates wilted under the hot heat of the Japanese sun. The goal came one year after he won the European Footballer of the Year award for the 2000-2001 season, making Owen the first Englishman to win the award in 20 years.

In total, the striker collected 80 caps for England after starting Tuesday's game. In those appearances, he scored 36 times. He is a legend and a staple of English soccer.

And that's where it gets complicated.

Owen assumes the striker slot remains open for him until he retires from international play. He deserves that respect, being the only English player to ever play in three World Cups for England.

But there comes a time when respect loses meaning, and results -- or in this case, a new wonderboy -- take the spotlight. Again, Owen is hurt now, was hurt before the World Cup and looked quite sluggish in the first two matches.

In other terms, Michael Owen became a liability, a problem. He became the awkward, 5th-year senior at the party. The guy everyone used to love but slowly lost his status as "The Guy Everyone Likes" because he tried to force too many good times.

He brought England's scoring chances down a little bit with every gimpy run, with every frustrating touch. He just wasn't the Michael Owen that earned every ounce of respect the world held for him.

It's sad when stars and legends struggle. Even worse, Owen is just 26. He looked 36 at World Cup '06 in Germany. And now with the new knee injury, his promising career might be in jeopardy.

Owen will never stop fighting to return to international soccer. But for this World Cup, he will watch with frustration, disappointment and agony.

England might be better off. Now Wayne Rooney is alone in the spotlight. And the English are ready for a new wonderkid.