WORLD CUP U.S.AIN'T
This is the fourth-ranked team in the world?
A rather pitiful showing for Team U.S.A. in today's World Cup opener in Germany as the Americans fell to the Czech Republic 3-0. In further Group E activity today, Italy takes on Ghana.
Granted, the Czechs are rated behind only powerful Brazil in the 2006 World Cup field, but they made it look easy today. Jan Koller, the Czechs' powerful 6-8 forward scored in the early-going on a header off beautiful service from Tomas Rosicki.
Rosicki would tally later in the half on a brilliant 35-yard slicing rocket just inside the right post out of the reach of the U.S. goalkeeper, North Thurston High graduate Kasey Keller.
Claudio Reyna ripped a shot that deflected off the left post later in the half for the Americans' only legitimate scoring opportunity in the first forty-five minutes.
Rosicki scored again on a breakaway to put the game away with just over ten minutes remaining. Minutes earlier, Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson nearly connected on a one touch cross into the box from the left side.
Shoddy defense, uninspired play up front and poor ball management characterized a sloppy opening effort from Team U.S.A., which will have another challenge on its hands Saturday against the Italians.
Koller left the match on a cot late in the first half after what appeared to be a right hamstring injury. The injury came with Czech Republic already leading 2-0 and did not cost them. However, Koller's status for the remainder of the tournament is undetermined.
Two teams from each of eight groups of four advance to the second round. Ties after head-to-head competitoni are broken by goal differential, which makes Team U.S.A.'s three goal loss potentially troublesome. Each team plays the others in the group once, recording three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points in a loss.
Italy is a perennial soccer power, although the Italians are ranked only 18th and are considered vulnerable to an upset from World Cup newcomer Ghana.
A rather pitiful showing for Team U.S.A. in today's World Cup opener in Germany as the Americans fell to the Czech Republic 3-0. In further Group E activity today, Italy takes on Ghana.
Granted, the Czechs are rated behind only powerful Brazil in the 2006 World Cup field, but they made it look easy today. Jan Koller, the Czechs' powerful 6-8 forward scored in the early-going on a header off beautiful service from Tomas Rosicki.
Rosicki would tally later in the half on a brilliant 35-yard slicing rocket just inside the right post out of the reach of the U.S. goalkeeper, North Thurston High graduate Kasey Keller.
Claudio Reyna ripped a shot that deflected off the left post later in the half for the Americans' only legitimate scoring opportunity in the first forty-five minutes.
Rosicki scored again on a breakaway to put the game away with just over ten minutes remaining. Minutes earlier, Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson nearly connected on a one touch cross into the box from the left side.
Shoddy defense, uninspired play up front and poor ball management characterized a sloppy opening effort from Team U.S.A., which will have another challenge on its hands Saturday against the Italians.
Koller left the match on a cot late in the first half after what appeared to be a right hamstring injury. The injury came with Czech Republic already leading 2-0 and did not cost them. However, Koller's status for the remainder of the tournament is undetermined.
Two teams from each of eight groups of four advance to the second round. Ties after head-to-head competitoni are broken by goal differential, which makes Team U.S.A.'s three goal loss potentially troublesome. Each team plays the others in the group once, recording three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points in a loss.
Italy is a perennial soccer power, although the Italians are ranked only 18th and are considered vulnerable to an upset from World Cup newcomer Ghana.
posted by Matt Richert at 11:25 AM
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