Comments on: PREVIEW: TEAM USA VS. CZECH REPUBLIC

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 19:48:36 +0000

USA is very fragile!! even if they tied with italy they still and will always be a weak team that will never win the world cup, and may not even qualify to the second round!! i wish im right!!
long live czech republic!!

By: Tarek

Tarek — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:56:28 +0000

Czech Republic is the best team ever!!

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:38:55 +0000

I fail to see how a huge setback for American soccer is a bad thing.

By: oceanguy

oceanguy — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 22:06:07 +0000

What a disheartening game to watch. The US team was badly overmatched. Instead of generating interest for the rest of the tournament, and enthusiasm for the team, this group has given fodder to all those who think soccer is just a girls and young kids game in this country.

We’re left hoping they can show strongly in the next Olympics so the next World Cup will have a chance at some decent TV coverage… Today’s loss was a huge set back for American soccer.

By: World Cup - USA v. Czech Republic at The Politburo Diktat

World Cup - USA v. Czech Republic at The Politburo Diktat — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:54:27 +0000

[...] Rick Moran: “They looked like our ‘98 squad out there.”Â A painfully accurate comparison. Original, pre-game post:This is it, the most important match in U.S. soccer history. As national team coach Bruce Arena put it, “No more excuses.”A little history here. The Americans qualified for the World Cup in 1990, for the first time in decades, and were thrashed (coincidentally by Italy and Czechoslovakia). We hosted the tournament in 1994, went 1-1-1 in the group stage, and thus squeaked through to the second round, where Brazil unceremoniously dumped us. In 1998, we qualified for the World Cup in France, and were bounced with three losses, scoring exactly one goal. In 2002, we had a good tournament, upsetting Portugal in the opener, and going through with another 1-1-1 record. We knocked out Mexico in the second round, and lost to Germany in the quarters.The question for the United States today is “Are we a real soccer power, able to play with strong European teams, or are we merely big fish in the small North American pond, barely able to keep up with Mexico, and beating up on tiny Central American countries, except, of course, in their unfriendly home cities?” In the past four World Cups, we have faced European teams nine times and achieved just one tie and one win. No one expects the USA to overcome heavy favorites like Brazil, Germany, or Italy (although Italy tends to start poorly in the group phase and an upset is not impossible).But if we are a “serious soccer nation,” then we must get results at least against the second tier of European teams, like the Czech Republic. [...]

By: Badge 2211

Badge 2211 — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:17:39 +0000

The USA team was absolutelty abysmal. You know, abilities aside Team USA plays soccer like, eh, girls except of course our women’s team doesn’t. Where is that winning attitude that all our other major league sports teams always bring to the game? Talk about deer in the headlights.

Not ready for primetime.

Is this how they coach kids’ soccer teams in America? We would’ve been better off sending a Pop Warner team and let them play without pads and helmets.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:01:13 +0000

Czech Republic is a country of under 11 MILLION PEOPLE.

We got smoked.

By: Kath

Kath — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 18:32:44 +0000

I’m so depressed! Hopefully Andy’s right, they’ll make the changes they need to and they’ll be ready and willing to fight through the next two!

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:52:13 +0000

Well, game just ended and what a disappointment. The Czechs totally outplayed them. Now we have to beat Italy and hope Italy ties Ghana. We’ll see if the team has the discipline and leadership to shape up before the next match.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:40:26 +0000

Well, I’m watching the game and the CR just scored their second goal. So far I’ve been pretty disappointed with the USA’s missed opportunities on corners and the numerous czech penalties. The USA is playing much too slow as well.

Hopefully being down 2-0 will light a fire in their belly and not deflate them. Admittedly, it’s look dark for the USA in 2006.