Czech Rep was one of those teams that no one wanted to draw. Why? They weren't a seeded team because they don't have a recent record of qualifying for the WC. But due to other results they are currently considered one of the top teams in the world, and as such are a "dark horse" pick to win the whole thing. Interesting to me is that the very same thing was being said about Colombia in 1994 and Portugal in 2002. I remember feeling very unlucky when we drew those two teams into our group, just like I did last week when the US ball was pulled. I also remember what happened when we took the field. I see no reason to believe it won't happen again.
Very good point,and ironic, about Columbia and Portugal. Call me crazy, but I truly believe that we will beat the Czech's. They looked pedestrian in qualifying without Nedved, who by the way is 34. Baros's hasn't been in dominating form like he was in Euro 2004. I relaly believe this game can come down to who has the hotter keeper, Keller or Cech. I know its early, but im gonna say 2-1 USA.
This definitely has the makings of another WC02: Portugal v USA all over again. BUT don't think the Czechs won't fall prey to Portugal's mistake... the cat is out of the bag, gang. The US is a team that other teams do NOT want to face. I think the winner of this group will not go through with 9 points. More like 6 or 7 points. The second place will come down to who has a better goal difference or won head-to-head. A record of 1-1-1 or 1-0-2 will do the job likely. It is a very interesting group... and the more I think about it, the more excited I get... the "fear" of drawing these teams last Friday has become one of pure optimism for me. I really think we have a legitimate chance at doing some damage. WE need not underestimate Ghana, as that will likely be THE game that decides the group (since the Czechs and Italians will be playing each other in the opposite game).
I keep seeing people going on about the age of players like Nedved and Koller and yet no caveats highlighting the fact that McBride will be 34 and Reyna 33 when the WC comes around. Both these players will be important if the US is to advance and the nature of their likely positions will require them to be fully involved for the full 90 minutes. Surely this "ageing" aspect is essentially neutral due to the fact that both sides face the same issue
McBride and Reyna are still PRODUCING on high level teams. Nedved retired form international play, and hasn't been hurt and playing inconsistently for Juve this season. Thats why theres a difference.
Does another Czech tread need to exist when the same points have been made - and frequently refuted - on others already?
keller cherundolo onywu gibbs lewis mastroeni reyna donovan beasley johnson mcbride are usa starters... reyna, keller and mcbride are ONLY ones over 30... o'brien, bocanegra, convey are the expected subs or partial starters, and none are over 30.. and freddy is 16 now.... so age is NOT a major issue for arena
Reyna has missed a number of games this season and most of last season through injury. He's not exactly been setting the world alight with his performances when he has been on the pitch so far this season. Same with McBride, he's been benched for a couple of games this season and, IIRC, has been subbed off in approx half the games he's started. Yes he's knocked in a few goals this season with 5 in the league and 1 in the cup but he's only 11th in the EPL golden boot competition despite the fact he had a "purple patch" at the start of the season. So no, there really isn't a difference. Both teams have a couple of their key players well beyond the age of 30.
this is true....so many threads about Czech...We have very good thread named CZECH PLEASE....there are many good analysis...and we have thread about Czech press...many czech threads.... no idea if I should repeat all my points here again.. bltleo GERMANY
our over 30 players(by the first kick off 12.Jun.06) Locks Lewis=32 McBride=33 Reyna=32 Keller=36 Hahneman-33 Bubble- Ralston=32 Pope=32 Hejduk=31 Berhalter=32 slim chance- Zavagnin=32 Vanney=33
this is true that Czech team has many older players, but they are very experienced and very good strategist ( I mean mental super concentrated players)...of course they might probably have lack of a beautiful speed of younger american players....However Bruckner told in interview that he has for every position replacement and he might try younger players.... The team in World Cup 2006 will be not the same as in EuropeCup 2004 Bltleo GERMANY
I agree. The only real difference is that, with many of their "older" players, the Czechs built an impressive reputation and the US did not. Hence, if you want to talk about why a team might be overrated due to the aging of their players, it only applies to the team that is, in fact, rated.
I was only wondering which information about Czech Republic are you interested in especially?..Maybe you can give me some input so I have idea what about I should write you....I will start with analysis of czech players but probably open for this another thread....any idea from your side? ..I think it has no sence If I will repeat at every thread the same about czech team because we have few czech threads.... So fire away.... Bltleo GERMANY
Reyna has 11 league appearances, and when he's played this season, he's been one of the better midfielders in the Premiereship. I make this claim based on the games I've seen him play (5 or 6), his high OPTA ratings, the commentary from his own players and coaches, articles written about him in prominent newspapers, and commentary I've heard about him from Premiereship announcers. Unfortunately, Reyna has always been physically fragile. He's a slight player who tends to be on the receiving end of a number of hard tackles. That's a bad combination. He just came back from injury, and he was invisible in the last match, but that's not representative of his earlier performances.
Agreed - I had made the point originally on the basis of a hefty number of posts on these boards indicating that the "ageing" nature of the Czech team was something that would give the US an edge. I just wonder how true that will be considering the US has a similar number of key players at the age where US fans feel it is an issue for the Czechs.
Agreed - but compared to the standards and quality he has shown in the past those performances so far this season are not at the same level. In many ways he's akin to Roy Keane - ageing now and becoming more fragile as his history of injuries catches up with him but is still capable of being one of the better players on the pitch "on his day". The problem is the number of those "days" he has left - I highly doubt he will return to the levels of consistency he showed, for example, in 2002.
as someone already told here..age is no problem... anyway Bruckner will bring some young players...I think he is trying to send mix of Old players and young players.....Bruckner is really very good strategist and he has had experience in coaching for more than 40 years.. He told in interview for czech press that he is aware that many of his best players are aged, many are injured, but he sounded very confident ...he is optimistic and told that he has strategy and replacement for every position.. I think his biggest problem is Koller now...the question is if he is healthy next year..if no, he will send someone else...I bet he has one or maybe more replacement for Koller position...anyway Koller and Nedved are their key players.....Nedved is play-maker and if he is missed in the Czech Team, it will be visible.....he is like our Ballack for Germany But I think czech team is a bit overrated now.... Bltleo GERMANY
since I get rai-usa I see nedved quite a bit, and his age is NOT a factor.... reyna gets by more by mind than physical athleticism, so assuming he's not injured, I would n't fret over his age... and if reyna is out, then JOB replaces him.... now if BOTH are out, it gets very interesting, as there'd be a significant drop-off after missing them.... and thats where the january camp gets interesting, locating the next in line is such a situation
The age issue won't be apparent in the first game of group play when we play the Czechs. Each player will be refreshed and ready to go. The age issue would come into play in the last game in group play and in the elimination rounds. Perhaps age could be a factor at the end of matches, but relying on this in any fashion is dangerous.
so I guess that means we hope cafu and roberto carlos are all tuckered out?? there are 4 full rest days between matches for the usa, so I think recovery time is more than adequate... the left over fatigue from a long club season is more of a problem.
Yeah, it's not so much that player won't have the stamina later in the group stage or in the elimination rounds. It's more maybe how quickly the little knocks and soreness add up and how much time it takes to recover from that. And, as you say, left over club fatigue and injuries. I think age is a factor in how quickly a player recovers. Incidentally, Roberto Carlos may be hurting after a few games, but I am pretty sure Cafu will be running circles around people well into his 50's.
This might be the one (the only one) advantage that our MLS playes give us. Their season will be only half over, so they will have relatively fresh legs.
I think the WC will be especially hard on Ronaldo. June-July is right in the middle of his eating season.