Preview: USA vs. Czech Republic
GAME DETAILS
USA vs. Czech Republic, Gelsenkirchen, 18:00 CET
THE BIG PICTURE
USA are hoping to prove 2002’s quarter-final appearance was no fluke, while the Czech Republic will want to finally make an impact on the World Cup. With Group E looking so competitive, neither team can afford to lose this opening game. Keep an eye on the heavyweight encounter between giant US defender Oguchi Onyewu and even gianter Czech forward Jan Koller. Onyewu famously manhandled Mexico’s Jared Borgetti to help the US qualify for this tournament, but at 6′8″ Koller is a bigger proposition altogether.
Scout Report – United States
Strengths – Kasey Keller has the perfect mix of experience and agility. Full backs Steve Cherundolo and Eddie Lewis are capable of overlapping to provide quality crosses for Brian McBride. Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna and John O’Brien all provide class in midfield, while Pablo Mastroeni will bring some bite.
Weaknesses – The US has a poor record against European opposition, and on European soil in general. Influential winger DaMarcus Beasley is struggling for form. Though individually solid, it remains to be seen how organized the defence is. Brian McBride is capable of scoring but one of the other strikers needs to step up and support him.
Scout Report – Czech Republic
Strengths – Jan Koller and Milan Baros are both proven finishers and a classic big man / fast man partnership, Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky are quality attacking midfielders Petr Cech may well be the worlds finest keeper. Nedved has a talent for winning free kicks in dangerous areas Coach Karel Bruckner is a father figure to many of these players. The FIFA rankings are insane, but the Czech’s aren’t second in the world for nothing.
Weaknesses – Nedved and Baros may be injured. The teams attacking style sometimes leaves them vulnerable at the back. Nedved’s haircut is abysmal.
Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers; name, caps, goals, coach
U.S. (4-4-2): 18-Kasey Keller (93-0); 7-Eddie Lewis (70-8), 22-Oguchi Onyewu (14-1), 23-Eddie Pope (80-8), 6-Steve Cherundolo (35-1); 15-Bobby Convey (39-1), 10-Claudio Reyna (109-8), 4-Pablo Mastroeni (48-0), 17-DaMarcus Beasley (58-12); 21-Landon Donovan (81-25), 20-Brian McBride (92-30). Coach: Bruce Arena
Czech Republic (4-4-2): 1-Petr Cech (41-0); 2-Zdenek Grygera (41-1), 6-Marek Jankulovski (48-8), 22-David Rozehnal (22-0), 21-Tomas Ujfalusi (48-2); 4-Tomas Galasek (49-1), 11-Pavel Nedved (87-18), 8-Karel Poborsky (115-8), 10-Tomas Rosicky (54-15); 15-Milan Baros (49-27), 9-Jan Koller (68-42) Coach: Karel Brueckner
THE BOTTOM LINE
Bob sez: Czech Republic 2-0
Chris sez: US 2-1
Sean sez: 1-1
Peter sez: US 3-0
Nick sez: Czech Republic 1-0
Bet on United States vs. Czech Republic (UK Bets Here)
LIVEBLOG
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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS
There are approximately 4 million miles of road in the USA, the most in the world.
American televangelist Pat Robertson recently claimed he could leg press 2,000 lbs. He is 76 years old. And a liar.
US coach Bruce Arena was briefly a professional Lacrosse player.
United States Team Blog
Team roster
Buy a United States jersey to support the team
Karel Capek, an early twentieth century Czech playwright, introduced the word “robot” to the English language. The word for robot comes from the Czech word “robota” which means servitude.
This is the Czech Republic’s first World Cup since it split with Slovakia.
The Czech Republic ranks a very respectable 9th in the worldwide press freedom index.
Czech Republic Team Blog
Team Roster
Buy a Czech Republic jersey to support the team
TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
United States Team Blog
Czech Republic Team Blog
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Comments
By Philip | June 11th, 2006 at 8:13 pm 
I agree that the FIFA rankings are a load of bunk, but based on them this would have to be the highest-profile first-round matchup by a huge margin, right? Should be a hell of a game regardless. Under 24 hours to go…. I can’t wait!
Posted from 
United States
By Bidemi | June 11th, 2006 at 8:44 pm WOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Let’s go Red, White and Blue!!!
Forgive my fanaticism, but I just can’t wait for this match. Do us proud men. C’mon Gooch, Dolo, Lewis and Pope. Let’s shut those boys out. Make Keller’s day easy.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By enzo | June 12th, 2006 at 5:33 am I agree with Philip, it should be a hell of a game, I think the Czech Rep. has the edge. But it would be great for football (soccer) in the USA if it won, and it would be another step in proving to the world that the USA can be taken as serious as the Europeans.
Posted from 
Australia
By tony | June 12th, 2006 at 5:53 am Czech – USA : 3-0
Posted from United States
By BrendanLee | June 12th, 2006 at 10:55 am Czech will be heading to the finals…!
Posted from 
Malaysia
By littleguy | June 12th, 2006 at 4:47 pm I’m really getting nervous now….this is it! If we can get a draw or victory we are really on our way out of the group. A loss, even on a great effort, is going to probably doom us as CR and Italy will both then get the points they need to move on (we’ll see about Italy after the US match).
Posted from United States
By ETucker | June 12th, 2006 at 5:04 pm In all honesty, the US needs to play a very physical, tackle oriented game with six defenders near the box at all times…I would have Pablo and Claudio sitting back and snuffing out flames before they can spread….
Although Claudio is good as a creative force, I think we need to play for the counters (like against Mexico in 2002)
My prediction: Convey will score on a counter, but Nedved will score of a set piece and so will Koller will score off a cross.
2-1 Czechs but a good game…remember, a tie agains Italy and a win against Ghana can still see us through!
Go USA!!!
Also, does anyone know any USA chants or player songs? Our fanbase is sorely lacking in that department…
Posted from 
Dominican Republic
By Razzle | June 12th, 2006 at 5:10 pm USA playing with a 4-5-1 arrangement with McBride up front?! That was my ‘if we’re 2 goals down in ten minutes’ formation.
Eddie Johnson and O’ Brien are not starting. Eddie will make a good sub though.
Posted from United States
By Son | June 12th, 2006 at 5:12 pm Tôi nghĩ tỷ số là Czech – USA: 0-0
Posted from Australia
By ETucker | June 12th, 2006 at 5:18 pm Razzle-
that formation worked to perfection against Mexico in 2002…you have to be realistic and realize when the other team has more offensive firepower…the US will need two midfielders back because we either have to double team Koller in the center or Rosicky and Nedved when they attack on the flanks
Plus a draw would be a great result for us…
Posted from Dominican Republic
By Jeremy | June 12th, 2006 at 5:23 pm USA! USA! USA! USA!
Posted from United States
By spence | June 12th, 2006 at 5:28 pm my prediction:
US 3,423 – Czechs 0
Brian Mcbride’s suffers a concussion due header hat trick’s to the n-teenth power.
GO US!
Posted from United States
By gotcha | June 12th, 2006 at 5:28 pm lord save the queen, shud work well for the americans
Posted from Australia
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