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GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) -- Four years ago, the U.S. team woke up Americans to soccer with a stunning start and surprising run in the World Cup. This time, it opened with a thud. Routed 3-0 by the Czech Republic on Monday night, the United States might have a very short tournament stay this year. Jan Koller scored just five minutes in, Tomas Rosicky added two goals and the Czechs coasted to an easy win. "They punished us for every mistake we made," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. Eager to prove they are among soccer's elite after their quarterfinal finish in...

Denver Post Carter replaces Kobe Bryant on national team By Scott Soshnick c.2003 Bloomberg News Monday, July 28, 2003 - Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter was named to the U.S. National Basketball Team, replacing Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant, who is charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year- old woman, withdrew from the team that will participate in next month's Olympic qualifying tournament while he recovers from knee and shoulder operations. Carter, a four-time NBA All-Star who appeared in only 43 games last season because of injuries, was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the...