USA v Czech Republic -- post-match thread {R}

I agree.

That first goal... right when they got the ball on the wing, Portugal 2002 came to mind. Then Lewis doing absolutely nothing, just like Jorge did against Sanneh in 2002, and the cross to Koller (McBride).

Czechs... I expected them to show up well... but not that well! They were excellent, for not having their two best forwards for much of the match too.

Lets see how Italy plays... if Italy lives up to hype, there are two powerhouses advancing from this group... one to play Brazil

I would go congradulate in the Czech forum but too many Czech trolls going on on BS to be in the mood for that

 

czech were attacking and fluid as usual, sorry americans but untill football becomes interwoven in to your culture like nba/nfl is you dont really stand a chance against upper tier sides (portugal granted)

the usa team for alot of the game looked about 10 or so years behind the way czech played with roles changing and excellent understanding between full backs and attacking mids

mcbride had nothing to work with really, i thought donovan showed signs of hope...he has electric pace...suprised beasley was so bad, psv mustve over used him cus he looked off colour today

i think your coach needs to learn more about the game, as the commentry said, your lines were too rigid and rosicky had a whale of a time working off nedvedin the void between mid and defence

i am probably a euro snob, but a highly regarded european coach could probably make you a much better side, or south american

czech best team so far

 

The US didn't play any differently than they did against their friendly matches immediately before the world cup. We all knew that we play very flaccid. I hoped that we would change that, but it looks like we didnt. Like I said in the pregame, we needed to work on our defense and our slow build up in teh offense... looks like nothing has changed and we fully deserved to be beaten for not doing so. Unfortunately, I don't see this team building any type of rhythm in the attack. They can't pull it out of thin air in just 4 days until Italy. I mean they couldn't do it in a month could they?

Hopefully this loss gives this team impetus and they prove me wrong, but as of now there is nothing that I can offer that would prove me wrong otherwise

 

man as an american fan i am very upset. i wish the world cup first round was 3 games..........OH WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!! IT IS........guess that euro-give-up attitude doesnt translate well..........USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA MAYBE ITALY WILL SHAVE SOME POINTS FOR USHAHAHAHAHAH

 

I know that it is only one match but I hope that this does not signal the United States' retreat from the one world-wide game in which it genuinely competes. I would not like to think (knowing that in the US, ratings are everything) that the networks would not retreat into just MLB/NBA and NFL and leave the World Cup to the other 200 nations.

Keep the faith. (I should know, following Scotland into goodness only knows where.)

 

The truth of the matter is we conceded an early goal to a better team. At that point, it was always going to be extremely difficult. We are a defend and counterattack team, and now we've been found out. I don't think confidence has anything to do with it. Their players are simply better.

 

Anyone else watching ESPN2s post-game?

Lallas is clearly frustrated which is understandable. He, like many people have put so much time in and care a lot about this team. Wynalda made a comment about the 90 team being a bunch of college kids and their performance didn't even count. From what I understand Lallas was on that team correct? He was clearly insulted and came back at Wynalda. Wynalda then says "Can you tell we're pissed?"

Found it amusing

 

You sir, are out of hand. Either post something that has reasoning behind it, or get the hell out of this thread. We lost badly, yes, but there's no need to rub it in our faces. Or, if you trly want to, then statistically back it up! For god sakes here, aren't you Eurosnobs supposed tobe more civilized than us unholy Americans?

 

That was one hell of an azz kicking by the Czechs. Good to see that weenie Landon Donovan get humiliated by the Czechs out there. THAT'S what you call an azz whooping Landon. Not a 2-1 victory by your definition

 

Exactly.

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!
whew.
Ok, so Bruce is not a genius. He did not play to our advantages and did not play against the Czechs disadvantages nor did we negate their strengths. Apparently the US is not getting taken lightly anymore, at least by the Czechs. We can only hope that this will shock the US into action, shock Bruce into dropping Beasley, and make the Italians super-over-confident and maybe take us lightly, Italian style. But I wouldn't count on the last one coming true.

Our midfield was terrible, and as I said in the Morocco postgame thread, we are not creative/good enough to break down a bunkered in defense. The Czechs, I feel, saw that game, and saw a weakness. We are incapable of coming from behind. If we get scored on first against Italy, it's bye-bye.

Donovan as a forward didn't work, put in Johnson. As others have said, and I disagreed with (but not have changed my mind), McBride is not a good lone-forward.

Could we see a Dutch style 4-3-3, as Wynalda trumpeted yesterday? The biggest critism that I'll make is our lack of speed and caring, maybe that formation would make it happen?

Just about the worst start we could have had. Shades of '98 unfortunately. Anyone see Johnson and Donovan yelling at each other at the end of the game: not good...

 

0-3

 

Very true he would always kick basically at there feet for how low they were. Very terrible.

 

The way the USA played today was very embarassing. The whole world watching and wondering if we are for real. Now we showed the world that we are not. Being beat playing like we did, shows the world we are not supose to be there, and they must love it.

 

Much better, thank you. Good win to you all, and good luck in the tournament.

 

I think you're correct. The Czechs were made for the first goal too. At 0-0 I thought high of our chances, but the Czechs prepared well and knew exactly how to shut us down after getting a lead.
So many early goals in this tournament.

 

Laughable. Onyewu won more than he lost all game, including against Koller. No U.S. player deserves plaudits, but Onyewu certainly was far from the worst. I was actually worried he'd give up far more fouls close to the box. Most, if not all his fouls were closer to the center of the field then the box. He's not the player who needs to be called out. Mastro, Lewis, Convey, Cherundolo all were outclassed, Onyewu held his own.

 

I think this is generally true. In terms of technique, atheliticism, and tactically, the Czech Republic was just on another plane to the US. The US is a better side than they showed. But they simply aren't as good as a the Czech Republic. They can beat teams like that, but they have to get lucky to do so and have conditions in their favor. Playing in Europe does not help, and nor does not having the surprise factor working in their favor (as they had against Portugal in '02)

 

The US has a more talented team than they did in 02 but they lack the hunger that they had so I dont think this will be a very happy worldcup for them but i hope they do good because its better for football in north america

 

You know, you are spot on. I always thought the U.S had a decent chance of coming out and are a quality side. However, I agree that the media and the fans here have been way to confident and a bit arrogant even.

1. The game was lost in the midfield. Our midfield was utterly outclassed and pitiful. could not win balls, terrible touches, bad passes, no vision, I could go on and on.

2. Our defense was also terrible. I said this about Gooch to my friend last week: I can't believe that the U.S is hyping that kid so much. Another example of us getting carried away. He may actually turn out to a liability on this team. I always thought Pope was actually better, but I reserved judgement since I hadn't seen enough of Gooch.

3. Eddie Johnson looked dangerous when he came on. I hope he starts the next game. I also think that we should have Beasley on the left or bench him. I personally don't really like Convey. I think we must play Landon in the middle and have run at defenses etc...

4. Confidence is important in sport but realism is just as important. We are underdogs against top teams and there's no harm in accepting that and play accordingly. Overconfidence for average team is actually harmful, I think. I hope this loss brings us down to earth.

5. Having said all this, all is not lost. The U.S is a quality team and capable of getting wins. We have to go out, take it to Italy and Ghana.

 

They finished and we did not, nothing new ~ really.

 

Hate it that USA gets bashed everytime about fifa world rankings, is it really the US fault that its that way? I believe USA should just not qualify for the next few world cups and keep losing till there down to being ranked 50 or so, then they can restart again.

 

How much does the US loss hurt them?

Both in the rest of the WC and post WC-2006? I think it will drop them out of the top ten for sure. But then what?

 

Very disappointing. I really expected this but I guess I had the mindset that maybe I was being too pessimistic and starting to believe the US media hype machine. I saw this team live in Cary against Jamaica and I knew we were not ready for the big stage. Look at all of the friendlies we have played. We have been terrible and not dangerous at all.

I will give the Czechs credit, they are a good team but we are not ready to compete against the best teams in the world. We were totally outclassed and I really believe the U.S. team was starting to believe the media hype of teams being scared of the U.S. It looked like we just thought we had to show up and it would be a good game. WRONG. The US team has to know we still are behind the world in soccer and the only thing that can make it up is HEART. We had no heart and one of our leaders DONOVAN has nothing. Look at the way he has lead the Galaxy. I don't remember the last time he scored in an international game.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS GAME AND WORLD CUP FOR THE U.S.

We will continue to try to find out ways to improve our international team and that goes with the USSF really partnering with MLS and getting to have true professional training at a younger age. US Soccer will not be resting on its laurels the next 4 years. They will have to figure out ways to produce better players and more of them that can compete on the international stage. Beasley, Donovan, and Convey have been good Bradenton experiments but this is too few players being developed at a young age. These guys all have good technique and skills but we need guys with good technique, skills, athletic ability and HEART.

I do hope that we at least put some effort and HEART into the Italy game. That is all the US fan is asking for. I hope the team gets a heart transplant after this game.