Posted on 06/12/2006 5:28:43 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
The wait finally comes to an end Monday for 11 of the 15 MLS players at the 2006 World Cup as the U.S. national team opens Group E play against Czech Republic in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan will lead the U.S. team into action starting at 11:55 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
In other action, Australia meets Japan in Kaiserslautern at 8:55 a.m. (ESPN2) for a Group F match. Italy and Ghana clash in the third match of the day, a Group E affair in Hanover at 2:55 p.m. (ESPN2).
(Excerpt) Read more at mlsnet.com ...
Italy-Czech I predict a draw.
"My problem is some people thought I was series."
Oh whoops. My sarcasm detector wasn't tuned in. Sorry!
Univision does have the best coverage (plus Sabado Domingo and Carmen commercials). I shouldn't have to watch a Spanish-language network to see the US National team.
Good, solid game by Italia, especially since they were forced to use a new, more defensive-minded midfield with the injury to Zambrotta. Hopefully he'll be back in time for the next match so Italy can be more offensive-minded, even though they did well today.
Didn't see anything today that suggests that it won't be Italy and the Czechs advancing.
Plus they have the babes in the studio between games.
I know it's early, but I think the US should consider bringing in Klinsmann, as Coach after the WC, since he pretty much lives in California now. We need somebody in here with international experience. Arena got us to a point, but I just don't see the US going any further with him as coach.
I think what would have been perfect for you guys would've been Hiddink. Unfortunately he's tied to Russia after the WC, but I think he would do wonders with the US team.
I think Klinsmann would be a better fit than Hiddink. Klinsmann seems to have some bold ideas, and he wouldn't have to commute and be under the microscope like he is in Germany.
Regardless, I think Arena's tenure is up.
Oh I agree that the jury is still out on Klinsmann, but if he gets them to the final match, then he would be the guy.
The bottom line is whoever they get, I think they need to go outside the country (though I guess technically Klinsmann wouldn't be outside now).
A bad loss and here it comes. After that game I am not predicting anything for this team. They did look God Awful. I am trying to think of one player that looked good today and the only one I come up with is Johnson. What the hell was it with Beasley? He played decent on defense but was a no show on offense. No need to even talk about the rest of them. Kick it back to the goalie and start over. What is it with that being down 2-0? Not once, over and over.
However, Bruce got them this far and that is amazing. He deserves more time.
Somebody mentioned MSL type of soccer being played today. Boy do I agree with that. Sorta like a US mentality, immediate gratisfaction game.
BTW, that maturity the checks had today really showed.
He's been with the team since 98, which is an amazingly long tenure for a national team coach. He deserves credit for forging them into a credible side, but I just think that he's taken them as far as he can.
He's an American coach through and through, having only coached in the US and as such I think at this point, for the US team to truly be a contender, you need someone with a European or South American background. Hiddink, Scolari, or someone of that nature.
Heck, break the bank and offer Capello a bucketload of money to coach the team lol
Has anyone noticed that the picture seems sharper on Univision over ESPN2? Is that an HD thing, or what (meaning that if ESPN2 is broadcasting in HD, is it affecting my non-HD set)?
The Aussies have some drive and some fortitude but are not deep on technical ability. They will have their hands full with Brazil.
And then some.
Arena is a great coach and has a right to be angry. The whole team has a right and should be angry. Yes, the dream died hard today but this was a hard group but honestly not the group of death.
As I told my friend today, you aren't in the group of death when you have a 3-0 result in your group. The group of death is Argentina, Ivory Coast, Holland and Serbia - Montenegro.
Today we were outclassed by reality. We saw that our midfield could not challenge and make any headway against the Czechs and were turned away not at the box but at the halfway line.
Eddie Johnson really showed some class, character and great potential all in one. Claudio Reyna was invisible as he is on occasion and showed that he didn't have any ideas on how to generate some creativity for the offense. Yes, he hit a beautiful blistering shot a fraction from bouncing in the goal, but he did not release any plays.
I'm going to be watching this disaster again in five minutes on a 106" HD screen.
It's beautiful but this was your reality check. When I was in the gym last week I heard these guys talking about the US ranking. I said we're not that high and those numbers mean nothing.
Today we were introduced to what an elite team is capable of doing. And it was a hard lesson. The Czechs technical ability and consistency was something to behold.
I feel so bad for the USA team. This is the most talented group in our history but I said to people before the tournament that the irony is that we may put the best team ever on the field and not get out of the group.
Sadly, it really looks like we are out first round. Italy was solid and mature today. They will look to dismantly the US patiently and generate the opportunities just like today.
I love the future with Eddie Lewis, Convey and such but sadly for those guys who brought us so far at the international level, guys like Eddie Pope and Claudio Reyna, this is the final exit to an international career.
They've been great. I will cherish these guys for how far they brought us, but today the Czechs were ready for the US type game. And they handed back to us in spades.
Cobi to me was pretty one dimesional. His time has passed. Beasley was a shadow of himself from the last cup. Speculation was he was on the wrong side.
Maybe true, but to be that ineffective was awful to see.
I agree Arena is a great coach. The job he did in 2002 and in CONCACAF since he started is outstanding.
However our talent is very ordinary. McBride is a very good forward in the EPL but light years behind the best like Henry. Most of our players are nothing special. You don't see Americans in the Champions League.
The Czechs scouted us and took us seriously, unlike say Portugal. We didn't play our best, but even if we did they outclass us. No shame in that; that's reality.
I don't see how replacing Arena with another coach will close that talent gap.
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