Americans are crushed by Czechs in 3-0 Loss
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (June 12) – Four years ago, the team USA woke up Americans to soccer with an incredible start and surprising run in the 2002 World Cup. This time, no such magic.
The Czech team completely dominated the game from the start. The two teams are in different leagues. The US played without much energy. I hope they can bounce back to have more respectable results against Italy and Ghana in the next two games.
On another note, Nakamura scored a goal (for Japan) but Japan lost to Australia 3-1.
Arena Criticizes Beasley, Donovan After Big Loss
By RONALD BLUM
AP Sports
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (June 12) – 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.”
The rest can be read here.
Go Nakamura!!
The same Nakamura from Chess?
@anonym – not really – but his brother – i suppose … lol
The goal should be disallowed though..
But did he play e4 e5 Qh5?!
“Humiliated” is not a very sporting word.
Humiliating might not be sprting..but it IS correct.
I think Ms Polgar should stick to Chess … which she knows best! Football …hmmmm …leave it to the expert …
Czechs were really great. Best display of attacking football so far in the tournament. Well… they DID play the most attractive football in Euro 2004, unfortunately lost to the hyperdefensive Greeks :P. 2nd goal was really a beauty. Should make it as one of the nominations for best goal in WC.
Here’s hoping they do well, together with Portugal and Holland. A vote for these 3 teams is a vote for attractive football. A WC win by any of them is a victory for attractive football. Attractive fotball, flair & self expression on the pitch is clearly being killed by tactical defensive play nowadays.
No brasil?? what a sacrilage! Well they are with a defensive minded coach, so dont expect to see the lovely football spectacle of their 1970 & 1982 & 1986 teams. Brasil 2002 was just a pale shadow considering the flamboyant stars they had. Brasil 1994 was just plain boring even tho they won the cup(same coach).
I don’t think any respectable and legitimate print journalist would choose the word “HUMILIATED” especially if he / she is coming from the same country that is being reported negatively.
What’s humiliating in a scoreless defeat? In a game or in any sports in general, we teach that losing is just ok.
It’s quite surprising to hear from a excellent chess teacher that losing is humiliating.
Peace!
“The Czech team completely dominated the game from the start. The two teams are in different leagues.”
Sure, if I lost to someone out of my league in chess (e.g. Susan) I would be annoyed, but now I know I should also be humiliated.
i’m sure Susen wanted to say “team USA WAS EMBARRASSED”
i’m not a native english speakin’ person, too – and to be honest – i do not understand the upset about the word “humiliated”.
we in germany say: Man muss nicht jedes Wort auf die Goldwaage legen!
in english (translated literally): not every word needs to be balanced out on an assay-balance!
the idiomatic english expression might be: “take it with a pinch of salt”!
please keep in mind – every language has it “fine-tunes” …! and, hehe, what about a hungarian blog here … (hungarian would make ME fold … and spoken frankly, i’m sure, most of the self-appointed linguists here around, too!)
sincerly, Vohaul (natural born german …)
Bad choice of word is bad choice of word, no ifs and buts.
You cannot hope to solicit respect by criticizing others but at the same time being not able to accept a criticism yourself.
The challenge in print communication is how to come across your idea somewhere in a simple, clear, and agreeable manner.
Talking of color blue when you mean of color red may dangerously lead to the dreaded nuclear war.
Of course you know I am kidding here. But I hope the bottomline is that you get what i mean.
Peace!
@the last anonymous: how much languages do you speak or write perfectly … ???
for me, Vohaul, the answer is: NONE
but u’ might be much better …
sincerly
There is no shame in loosing to Czechs. They are really awesome. I was really rooting for them to win the European Championships. They were the most exciting team in that tournament.
There is such a thing as losing well ie losing with a fight, & there is such a thing as losing in a bad way ie not putting up a fight & just playing badly.
Team USA didnt play well at all, hardly put up a fight, their best players (some even played in Euro leagues) all failed to live up to their promise etc Where is the pride in representing the nation at such a privalaged stage? Being outclassed is one thing, but being outclassed doesnt mean playing badly.
So I dont blame Susan for using the word. Tht’s just telling it as it is. Just like Simon in Idol.
Ha ha ha vohaul…
Thanks for the humour!
Peace!
Whoa, I thought that you were talking about Hikaru Nakamura at first. What’s so special about the Nakamura that you’ve just mentioned, other than the fact that he scored Japan’s only goal (which shouldn’t have been a goal;Australia’s goalie got fouled).
“Team USA humiliated…”
I like and dislike the expression. It depends, how it would be accepted if for example, Topalov loses to Gelfand by a piece sacrifice, and the title is: TOPALOV HUMILIATED….
Who said Peace? No draw, sorry….
Topalov beaten by Gelfand, humiliated? Sorry no such thing, Gelfand is a super gm. Gelfand CAN beat anybody in a game!
If a ten year old sacrificed a piece to Topalov and still win, that is an acceptable humiliation.
Ha ha ha. How old are you? Ah ok.
Peace!
Well in a shock result the US got a draw against Italy last night (just about). Maybe they were trying the soccer form of the “Swiss gambit” because maybe they fancy coming second in the group more for the latter stages. :þ
I think it’s fair to say they were humiliated. If they expected to lose 8-0 like a team like Faroe Islands or.. um.. Hungary maybe :þ, then they fought bravely but as it stands they were humiliated.