Nedved is a legend. Rocicky directs the midfield like a Mozart concerto.
Koller is. Um. Big.
Looking forward to the game.
I believe that the US stands a great chance, I will be cheering them on.
But, first it is time for the Aussies to kick some Japanese butt :-)
Cheers.
Czech Republic (probable): Cech, Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Galasek, Nedved, Poborsky, Rosicky, Baros, Koller
BIG MATCH STATS - Head-to-head
At the World Cup in 1990 Czechoslovakia beat the United States 5-1 in a group stage encounter. It was the only previous meeting between these teams.
Czechoslovakia finished second in the group, behind Italy, and eventually reached the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by West Germany (1-0). The US finished bottom of the group after losing all three matches.
Team facts - United States
The United States will take part in a World Cup for the fifth consecutive time and the eighth time in total. They are one of only seven teams to have been present at every World Cup since 1990. At the last finals, the US were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Germany (1-0).
Bruce Arena's side qualified by winning the final CONCACAF group, ahead of Mexico. They have won just two of their seven previous opening matches at the World Cup.
Team facts - Czech Republic
Including Czechoslovakia's appearances, this will be the Czech's ninth World Cup. Their best result was winning a silver medal, which they did in both 1934 and 1962.
Karel Bruckner's squad features just two players who are active in the Czech Republic's domestic league - Jaromir Blazek and Karel Poborsky.
Player facts - United States
USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller is the only squad member at this year's tournament who was also present at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He was an unused sub behind Tony Meola for the entire tournament.
Having already scored in 1998 (once) and 2002 (twice), Brian McBride can become the first American to score at three different World Cup tournaments.
Player facts - Czech Republic
Jan Koller provided nine goals in eight qualifying matches. He has scored 42 times in 68 appearances, and is already the all-time top scorer for the Czech Republic / Czechoslovakia. He's also the joint tallest player at this tournament. His six foot seven and a half inches, equals the height of Australia reserve goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac and the Serbia & Montenegro striker Nikola Zigic.
Karel Poborsky is the Czech's all-time cap leader with 115 international matches to his name. Striker Milan Baros was crowned top scorer at Euro 2004 with five goals.
Miscellaneous Info
The United States have played 13 World Cup matches against European opponents, winning three, drawing one and losing nine.
This match may see teammates from the German club Hannover 96 Steve Cherundolo (USA) and Jiri Stajner (Czech Republic) on opposite ends of the pitch.