"Nedved fears World Cup Czech-out"

[Eleven Bravo]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=371798&cc=5901

not much optimism from the team captain. that can't be good for morale. i say they bunker and defend like no tomorrow against Italy, and hope for a draw. I hope he's right though so USA stands a better chance of advancing.

[inswinger]

Yes, they're in big trouble, but the US doesn't want an ITA-CZE draw because it would mean they need to beat Ghana by at least 4 goals. We need an Italy win, which looks very possible if the azzurri go for the jugular. I have a feeling it will go down to the final minutes, though. Have a defribrilator handy.

[bltleo]

there is only one ideal way

Italy beat Czechg

USA beat GHANA

this is what I wish!

[Asprilla9]

he's right. he knows that they are facing the toughest team in the group, and even if they eek out a draw they could be on their way home. somehow they are in worse shape than the u.s.

[dmike]

They might as well just bunker for 90 minutes

With Cech behind that net anything is possible

Bait Italy for the ULTIMATE counter attack LOL

Seriously though... All respect will be lost toward the Italians if they can't beat a team without any forwards and VERY VERY VERY low on morale.

[USAin2006]

All of this talk of bunkering, hello, no one wants to play Brazil in the round of 16! I think you will see the Czechs gunning for a win as a result. As will Italy. If Ghana beats us, Italy will be second in the group if they don't win (and will be out if they lose), and thus will be playing Brazil (barring a Japanese miracle)

I think I'm right about all of this.

[VBSoccerFan]

All of this talk of bunkering, hello, no one wants to play Brazil in the round of 16! I think you will see the Czechs gunning for a win as a result. As will Italy. If Ghana beats us, Italy will be second in the group if they don't win (and will be out if they lose), and thus will be playing Brazil (barring a Japanese miracle)

I think I'm right about all of this.

There are times bunkering is the best way to play for the win.

I think CR is screwed. I see Italy winning by at least two goals.

[appoo]

a 3 - 0 win sends us through, thanks to Zacczrdo's own goal if Italy and Czech play to a 3 - 0 tie

[Soccernethost]

No it doesn't. The Czechs would win on their +1 goal difference (to our zero).

[appoo]

No it doesn't. The Czechs would win on their +1 goal difference (to our zero).

yea - just realized it. we'd need a 4 - 0..

*grumble*

stupid Peter Cech

[::::::]

a 3 - 0 win sends us through, thanks to Zacczrdo's own goal if Italy and Czech play to a 3 - 0 tie

What is a 3-0 tie?

[FC Tallavana]

They might as well just bunker for 90 minutes

With Cech behind that net anything is possible

Bait Italy for the ULTIMATE counter attack LOL

Seriously though... All respect will be lost toward the Italians if they can't beat a team without any forwards and VERY VERY VERY low on morale.

So they lost all respect this past Saturday then.

A cornered team is a dangerous team as we proved Saturday.

[Winds350]

All of this talk of bunkering, hello, no one wants to play Brazil in the round of 16! I think you will see the Czechs gunning for a win as a result. As will Italy. If Ghana beats us, Italy will be second in the group if they don't win (and will be out if they lose), and thus will be playing Brazil (barring a Japanese miracle)

I think I'm right about all of this.

Not picking on you, since a lot of people have posted the same thoughts.

Could some one who believes that avoiding Brazil in the second round is the driving force for a teams actions, explain to me how losing to Brazil in the second round is worse than not getting out of the group?

I would think teams are going to play to get out of the group. Then, if an opportunity presents itself to improve their position in the group, fine. But I find it incredibly hard to believe that any team will risk not going through just to avoid facing Brazil if they do go through.

[FC Tallavana]

Not picking on you, since a lot of people have posted the same thoughts.

Could some one who believes that avoiding Brazil in the second round is the driving force for a teams actions, explain to me how losing to Brazil in the second round is worse than not getting out of the group?

I would think teams are going to play to get out of the group. Then, if an opportunity presents itself to improve their position in the group, fine. But I find it incredibly hard to believe that any team will risk not going through just to avoid facing Brazil if they do go through.

Agree 110%.

I doubt Italy or the CR give a damn about facing Brazil. Hell, if the USA would be thrilled to play Brazil I think Italy might be ok with it. If anything, facing Brazil is a good thing, because there is no pressure to win.

The only thing we have going for us is that both teams will be hungry for a win after bad outings in their last game.

To be honest, we should concern ourselves with Ghana and forget about the other game. They have proven to be capable of something we have not, which is score. Considering our loss of Pope and Mastro, I'm not extremely confident we can hold them from scoring.

If we beat Ghana and go home due to the other result I don't care. We aren't going to win the whole thing and we never were so all we should care about is playing good soccer. To get 4 points and tie for second in our group - if Italy/CR draw - would be indicative of playing good soccer, considering how tough our group is.

[FirstStar]

Not picking on you, since a lot of people have posted the same thoughts.

Could some one who believes that avoiding Brazil in the second round is the driving force for a teams actions, explain to me how losing to Brazil in the second round is worse than not getting out of the group?

I would think teams are going to play to get out of the group. Then, if an opportunity presents itself to improve their position in the group, fine. But I find it incredibly hard to believe that any team will risk not going through just to avoid facing Brazil if they do go through.

Because Italy doesn't play in the WC Finals to merely "go through". They play to make at least the semi-finals. Going through (in second place) and losing to Brzail will be considered a national disaster in Italy.

[::::::]

Considering our loss of Pope and Mastro, I'm not extremely confident we can hold them from scoring.

On the contrary, I think without Pope in the lineup, we'll have a better chance at preventing goals.

[FC Tallavana]

Because Italy doesn't play in the WC Finals to merely "go through". They play to make at least the semi-finals. Going through (in second place) and losing to Brzail will be considered a national disaster in Italy.

It would not be a national disaster for Italy to lose to Brazil in a WC. Brazil is the one team that they could lose to and not hang their heads.

What may be a national disaster is the fallout from drawing the USA to finish second in the group.

Still, I believe fans around the world want to see the same thing we do, which is their team playing good soccer. If Italy loses to Brazil on PKs after scoring two late goals to tie it up I doubt too many people in Italy would be pissed.

[FC Tallavana]

On the contrary, I think without Pope in the lineup, we'll have a better chance at preventing goals.

I'm not a fan of the 2006 Pope but it scares the hell out of me to change up our defensive line-up at this stage.

[::::::]

I'm not a fan of the 2006 Pope but it scares the hell out of me to change up our defensive line-up at this stage.

We really don't have much of a choice, do we?

[FirstStar]

On the contrary, I think without Pope in the lineup, we'll have a better chance at preventing goals.

I'm gonna be like Mike, here: Pope has become the Agoos of this tournement. He's trying very hard and generally playing good ball but he's getting beat too much. It's not that he's bad (Jeff really wasn't bad), it's just that, like Jeff, he's slipped below the level necessary to play in the WCF. I know he hasn't put the ball in the US net, but he's let in enough Czech and Italian goals to match Goos.

I think we'll be better without him and the change will be good for the team. Interestingly, Beerhalter played quite a bit (and very well) next to Gooch in qualifying, but it sounds like we'll see Conrad. If we wanted, we could stay with all starters from the first two matches and play Dolo, Gooch, Boca and Lewis. However-- seems like Lewis has been played to the bench by his poor defense and Bobby's excellent offense.