Rising above the defense like a redwood towering over shrubs, Koller easily
bent his bald head to meet the cross and put the ball past Keller for his 43rd
goal in 69 international appearances, a Czech record.
"Kasey, for whatever reason, puts it up the middle where we have nobody," a
bewildered Arena said.
Keller was trying to find Convey for a quick attack.
Reyna, who hasn't scored for the national team since 2000, nearly tied the
score in the 29th, curling a 25-yard shot that got by a diving Petr Cech in
goal. Reyna had a hopeful look on his face, but his expression quickly changed
to disgust when the ball clanked off the far post.
Just as the United States was starting to establish some offensive rhythm,
the Czechs showed more of why they were a European Championship semifinalist two
years ago and are the world's second-ranked team.
Pavel Nedved, Europe's player of the year in 2003, crossed and Onyewu headed
the ball out. But it went to Rosicky, who settled it and sent a spectacular
right-footed shot into the top corner to Keller's left, above the goalkeeper's
raised right hand.
Koller injured his right thigh battling Onyewu for a ball on the flank in the
43rd minute, and was taken off on a stretcher, one hand behind his head, the
other covering his face. He was taken to a hospital to be examined.
"I felt a strong pain, and I thought it was torn. I said to myself that all
my efforts were just gone," Koller said. "I definitely won't be available for
the next match."
Rosicky hit the crossbar in the 68th minute and added his second goal in the
76th, getting past the defense off a through pass from Nedved and chipping over
Keller on a breakaway. Rosicky and Nedved pretty much ran through the midfield
at will.
Eddie Johnson, who entered at halftime when the United States switched to a
three-forward formation, missed just wide in the 70th minute and was high in the
76th.
"I was just trying to make something happen," he said.
When the Americans returned to the World Cup in 1990 after a 40-year absence,
they were embarrassed 5-1 by Czechoslovakia in their opener, getting outshot
24-7. Arena, who sat in the seats that day as a fan, didn't think this was as
bad ¡ª they were only outshot 10-6 in this one.
"Believe me, this wasn't 1990," Arena said.
