By Gentry Estes
Staff Writer
U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller called Monday’s game “a shame.” Midfielder Landon Donovan chose “embarrassing.”
Back home, several other choice words accompanied a forgettable debut for a hyped U.S. team at the 2006 World Cup. The largest soccer audience in ESPN2 history skipped work to see what all the fuss was about.
They’re still wondering.
The Czech Republic dominated all areas for a 3-0 victory that put the United States on the brink of early elimination heading into today’s 3 p.m. EDT meeting with powerhouse Italy. The Americans need a victory against the three-time World Cup champions to retain a realistic shot to qualify for the second round as one of the top two teams from a hazardous Group E.
“We have to have a team ready to play, and I think they will be,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “This is the World Cup. This isn’t club soccer, whatever. This is the moment to shine and step up and show what you’re about, and I think our guys are ready to give a good effort.”
Arena started five defenders Monday, hoping to pack it in and withstand Czech offensive pressure to build counterattacks. That was a shift from the attack-minded strategy that led his overachieving squad to the quarterfinals in 2002, and the Czechs laid waste to it with Jan Koller’s goal in the fifth minute. From there, the U.S. may have had more possession but clearly wasn’t prepared to break down a defense built to protect the early lead.
“We just didn’t really jell well together,” midfielder Bobby Convey said. “We just did OK, and at a World Cup, it’s not fine to just do OK.
“We kind of just went out there and said, ‘OK, we’re just going to play.’ We didn’t really collectively know what we needed to do at the same time.”
Arena’s critics pointed to a lineup without prolific young striker Eddie Johnson and with DeMarcus Beasley at right midfielder, although the Dutch pro star is left-footed. Beasley never seemed comfortable. His quality touches were rare, and he later wondered aloud what was expected of him in a position that had him defending more than attacking.
“I would have to say, if anything, we were over-organized,” Arena countered. “Our guys know everything they need to know going into these games. There cannot be any more thorough preparation than our guys get.
“That doesn’t mean you’re going to win a game.”
Arena hasn’t detailed specific changes to the U.S. lineup today but has hinted there will be some. Beasley isn’t expected back on the field. Donovan will likely return to the midfield and be joined by rookie Clint Dempsey, who was omitted from the lineup Monday.
The approach will be more aggressive, since the U.S. doesn’t have the luxury of playing for a draw. Johnson should start at forward alongside veteran Brian McBride, who wasn’t a factor in Monday’s game.
One factor in the Americans’ favor is the site of today’s match. Kaiserslautern is home to the largest American military community outside the continental 48 states, including Ramstein Air Base, where the U.S. team bunked during its stay in the city.
The U.S. is a heavy underdog to an experienced, star-laden Italian side picked by some to win the World Cup. Italy opened its Cup run with a 2-0 victory over Ghana, meaning it can clinch a second-round berth with a victory today.
The Americans, meanwhile, know they need a victory. To do that, they know they can’t be embarrassed again.
“It’s like the playoffs —; one game and you’re out,” Johnson said. “We go into this game with nothing to lose. We know we’re going to turn it around. You can expect a better performance out of us.”
E-mail Gentry Estes at gestes@timesfreepress.com
Staff Writer
U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller called Monday’s game “a shame.” Midfielder Landon Donovan chose “embarrassing.”
Back home, several other choice words accompanied a forgettable debut for a hyped U.S. team at the 2006 World Cup. The largest soccer audience in ESPN2 history skipped work to see what all the fuss was about.
They’re still wondering.
The Czech Republic dominated all areas for a 3-0 victory that put the United States on the brink of early elimination heading into today’s 3 p.m. EDT meeting with powerhouse Italy. The Americans need a victory against the three-time World Cup champions to retain a realistic shot to qualify for the second round as one of the top two teams from a hazardous Group E.
“We have to have a team ready to play, and I think they will be,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “This is the World Cup. This isn’t club soccer, whatever. This is the moment to shine and step up and show what you’re about, and I think our guys are ready to give a good effort.”
Arena started five defenders Monday, hoping to pack it in and withstand Czech offensive pressure to build counterattacks. That was a shift from the attack-minded strategy that led his overachieving squad to the quarterfinals in 2002, and the Czechs laid waste to it with Jan Koller’s goal in the fifth minute. From there, the U.S. may have had more possession but clearly wasn’t prepared to break down a defense built to protect the early lead.
“We just didn’t really jell well together,” midfielder Bobby Convey said. “We just did OK, and at a World Cup, it’s not fine to just do OK.
“We kind of just went out there and said, ‘OK, we’re just going to play.’ We didn’t really collectively know what we needed to do at the same time.”
Arena’s critics pointed to a lineup without prolific young striker Eddie Johnson and with DeMarcus Beasley at right midfielder, although the Dutch pro star is left-footed. Beasley never seemed comfortable. His quality touches were rare, and he later wondered aloud what was expected of him in a position that had him defending more than attacking.
“I would have to say, if anything, we were over-organized,” Arena countered. “Our guys know everything they need to know going into these games. There cannot be any more thorough preparation than our guys get.
“That doesn’t mean you’re going to win a game.”
Arena hasn’t detailed specific changes to the U.S. lineup today but has hinted there will be some. Beasley isn’t expected back on the field. Donovan will likely return to the midfield and be joined by rookie Clint Dempsey, who was omitted from the lineup Monday.
The approach will be more aggressive, since the U.S. doesn’t have the luxury of playing for a draw. Johnson should start at forward alongside veteran Brian McBride, who wasn’t a factor in Monday’s game.
One factor in the Americans’ favor is the site of today’s match. Kaiserslautern is home to the largest American military community outside the continental 48 states, including Ramstein Air Base, where the U.S. team bunked during its stay in the city.
The U.S. is a heavy underdog to an experienced, star-laden Italian side picked by some to win the World Cup. Italy opened its Cup run with a 2-0 victory over Ghana, meaning it can clinch a second-round berth with a victory today.
The Americans, meanwhile, know they need a victory. To do that, they know they can’t be embarrassed again.
“It’s like the playoffs —; one game and you’re out,” Johnson said. “We go into this game with nothing to lose. We know we’re going to turn it around. You can expect a better performance out of us.”
E-mail Gentry Estes at gestes@timesfreepress.com
