GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany - The United States looked like a bewildered World Cup
newcomer again. The Americans didn't just lose Monday night, they were routed,
roughed up and run over by the Czech Republic, a 3-0 crusher that put the
Americans in danger of first-round elimination.
"I think the players as well as coaches are a bit shocked right now,"
defender Eddie Lewis said.
Jan Koller, the Czech Republic's 6-foot-7 1/2 forward, scored just five
minutes in, and Tomas Rosicky added goals in the 36th and 76th minutes.
The United States managed just one shot on goal and showed little of the
spark that earned it an opening 3-2 upset over Portugal four years ago, when it
advanced to the quarterfinals in America's best showing since 1930.
"We didn't play well. We didn't compete. We didn't make the plays," said
goalkeeper Kasey Keller said, one of many U.S. players criticized by coach Bruce
Arena. "It was just a shame. We definitely gave the game away, and that's what
we're frustrated about."
Landon Donovan and Brian McBride, the two U.S. forwards, didn't even have any
shots at all, and DaMarcus Beasley managed just one.
Arena rarely criticizes players publicly, but with a look of exasperation on
his face, he didn't hold back.
"Landon showed no aggressiveness tonight," Arena said. "We got nothing out of
Beasley on the night."
He said Bobby Convey, who made his World Cup debut, was one of the few
Americans who had "the courage" to attack.
Donovan and Beasley were surprise sensations four years ago, when they were
just 20, but they were marked men.
"They swarmed them," U.S. captain Claudio Reyna said.
The Americans got a pregame pep talk from President Bush, who called from
Camp David and wished them well. But they undoubtedly disappointed millions back
home and certainly the 5,000 or so fans who made the trek overseas, falling to
0-8 in Europe in World Cup play, getting outscored 24-4.
It could get worse. The Americans next play Saturday against three-time
champion Italy, which opened with a 2-0 win over Ghana.
"We all have to learn quick, especially the young guys," Reyna said. "We
can't wait months or years to get better. We have to get better quickly, and I
think we can do that."
In the last two World Cups, the only team to advance from the first round
after losing its opener was Turkey, in 2002.
"It's going to be hard, but it's not over," Donovan said.
Reyna said the mind-set must change.
"Everyone has to be brave and want the ball," he said. "We didn't have guys
aggressive enough."
Four years ago, the United States broke on top in its opener against Portugal
in the fourth minute. This time, it was the Americans who fell behind quickly.
Keller sent a goal kick downfield, and the Czechs countered, with David
Rozehnal playing the ball to the right flank for Zdenek Grygera and catching
Lewis upfield. Grygera crossed, and the 6-foot-7 1/2-inch Koller, who returned
only last month from knee surgery, positioned himself between Oguchi Onyewu and
Eddie Pope.
