What is your opinion of the world (the small speck outside the US of A ?!?) Do you think that it revolves around your country???

Your comment in the second paragraph is one of the most ridiculous and poorly thought-out opinions that I have ever read about sport. Not only that, your opinion reflects badly on America’s overall attitude towards the rest of the world.

Where did you get your idea from. Is it the way that the whole world used to play baseball, and then decided to turn their back on the game when the almighty America became supreme?? I don’t think so (America is one of only about 5 countries which have ever played the game seriously). And it is a similar story with other examples such as basketball and (American) football.

If America was ever to become any good at the game (known as “Football” to billions), the the rest of the world (the whole world - not just the “non-U.S. west”, e.g. Ghana etc.)would welcome the competition, and be happy that your ignorance has finally come to an end.

AR
London
wed 28 June 2006
6.05 pm, local time

Maybe in our match with Brazil Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and half of their squad will be having an off day.

Do you believe?

But I will say that the Italy game might be a closer affair than many might think because it is being played in Kaiserslautern. That’s as close to a home game that the US side can get and if anyone has any sense, the team will spend some good motivation time with the folks at Rammstein. A team properly motivated can do amazing things.

Miracle on Pitch ‘06

I am in reluctant agreement with you.

The Azzuri appear to be on the rise, beating Germany last week 4-1. One might be making too much of that since the Germans are still struggling to find the right combinations.

But Italy was without Totti and still scored 4 goals - pretty amazing. They haven’t lost in 16 matches.

I’m revising my hopes and pinning them on a win against the Czechs. That way, if we lose to Italy and beat Ghana, Italy would be able to handle the Czechs, sending is to the next round.

To face Brazil.

Yikes! Be careful what you wish for!

We have a chance at advancing only if we can tie the Czechs and go through on goal differential. I hate to say it, but I think we’re gonna get beat pretty soundly by the Azzurri, although Keller will keep the score respectable.

The only way we can beat the Azzurri is by luck. If we get a couple quick goals in and hang on for dear life. Judging by the finishing skills of our strikers….we’re gonna need a lot of luck.

GO TEAM USA! Most people want us out of the tournament early, so let’s give ‘em hell!

(And go Oranje after Team USA loses!)

We may still surprise some with the relatively new and ‘disrespectful’ Japan/Korea/US tactic of running like mad for ninety minutes, but I think size is our issue. In general we’re tiny. Frankie Hejduk would have been a starting fullback? We have far too many other sports that draw our top athletes.

And we’re bad at playing for ties- that’s just not an American tactic.

Good luck to us, here’s hoping for a Portugal repeat. That was thrilling!

I probably have to come down closer to your point of view, than Paul’s.

As you both stated, it is a very tough Group. Yet, 5 pts (with goal difference) or 6 pts could/should win this Group. One can easily envision draws in the 3 games among Czech Republic, Italy and the US. That puts Ghana as the King maker. How each team does against Ghana may well tell the tale.

I have followed Bruce Arena since he was coaching at the Univ of Virginia, then DC United. One thing that the US team will have over most opponents is “team”. In this type of competition, where you have a collection of country All-Stars, “team” play can be just the advantage needed to move on. Also, “team” play is a hallmark of Bruce Arena’s coaching style.

While I find the FIFA rankings interesting, 3 of the top 5, Czech Republic, Holland and the US, were not even #1 seeds. What does that mean regarding the rankings? Who knows.

Now for a bit of rocket Science. For the US, the Czech game may be everything. A win or draw, bodes well for the US, a loss will be close to elimination. The layout of the games may work to the US advantage in that we at least theoretically, get the easiest opponent last. I like the fact that Bruce Arena has the time and ability to prepare most for the Czech Republic.

The Italy game should be a 1 goal affair. When Italy plays in World Cup or European Cup competitions, I bet correct score 0-0,1-0,0-1,1-1. Usually shows a tidy profit.

Prognostication Hat on: Czech-US = draw, Italy-US = draw, Ghana-US = win. This may be enough to win the Group, or at least go through to the Round of 16.

Italy 2-Ghana 0
Czech Republic 1 - USA 1
Czech Repubilc 4 - Ghana 1
Italy 1 - USA 1
Czech Republic 1- Italy 1
Ghana 1 - USA 3

Czech Republic, Italy and USA all on 5 pts, Czech Republic and USA go through on goal differential.

In a week and a few hours, we will have a pretty good understanding of how World Cup 2006 will turn out for the US.

Lewis may be a make shift left back but if Arena goes with 5 midfielders, he won’t be seen over the midfield line for the whole game (unless we get behind). He will do well in that formation I think.