11/05/24
June 02, 2006
Time Is the Czechs' Lurking Enemy: The Czechs are ranked second to only Brazil, feature a roster seasoned at top clubs in Europe and play with a snowflake's ingenuity for free-form creativity and rigorous structure. Bbut, wistfulness has crept in, a feeling that the World Cup may have arrived beyond the prime of what is considered the country's greatest generation of players. Age and injury have begun to temper expectation. Does the United States REALLY have a chance to win pool play?
Yes, from what I gather they have a chance - but man did they get put into a bitch of a group of death. I see at least four other groups where it would be pretty much an upset if the USA didn't make it through - but they are an underdog for sure in this group.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:47 PM on June 02, 2006
I blame FIFA and their crap seeding computations. Say what you will about the US and its ranking compared to other nations but there's no way Mexico is ahead of us--we've beaten them nine of the last 10 matches and won the qualifying tournament for this region ahead of them. If a CONCACAF team deserved a top 8 seed it should have been USA.
posted by billsaysthis at 04:20 PM on June 02, 2006
We all play by the same rules bill. You just got to do a bit better when it matters. Getting pipped by the Italians to the last seeded spot was tough but should surely encourage you that you're on the right track.
posted by squealy at 06:06 PM on June 02, 2006
From the article: "Expectations are high because people know this is the last chance for our generation," midfielder Vladimir Smicer said Thursday. "Unfortunately, we're going to the World Cup and we don't know what shape we are in." Also: Nine of the 23 Czech players are age 30 or older. Koller, 33, is only recently returning to form after tearing a knee ligament in September. The team's captain, midfielder Tomas Galasek, 33, has a strained knee ligament. The team's leader, midfielder Pavel Nedved, was named the European player of the year in 2003, but he turns 34 this summer and has complained of fatigue after an enervating club season with Juventus in the Italian league. I think I fucked up my thought process by adding the final comment "Does the United States REALLY have a chance to win pool play?" What intersets me more is the state of the Czech teams condition. At this point are they really getting to old? Is 34 concidered past prime in soccer? Is Petr Cech, the Czech goalie really one of the best in the world? I know he plays for Chelsea who won the EPL, but "best in the world"? There is a lot more to this IMO than just whether or not the U.S. can win pool play.
posted by Folkways at 06:19 PM on June 02, 2006
Smicer himself is ruled out from a groin injury. I like to be an optimist and say this is good for us but with training and nutrition these days 30 is the new 20. I think Cech is very tall, limber and fast but also that the team in front of him means he faces fewer difficult chances per game than most keepers so this Cup will be a chance to see if his skills match the talk. Squealy, I agree but--to use a different example--so do Abramovich, Murdoch and Li Ka Shing (I think this is the right spelling, but I mean the man who runs Hutchinson Whampoa in Hong Kong) and I don't see that the table is level for me and them.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:46 PM on June 02, 2006
What intersets me more is the state of the Czech teams condition. At this point are they really getting to old? Is 34 concidered past prime in soccer? For non-goalkeepers, yes. Is Petr Cech, the Czech goalie really one of the best in the world? I know he plays for Chelsea who won the EPL, but "best in the world"? He's excellent, but he gave up almost twice as many goals for his country in qualifying as he did for Chelsea last season, so bill's point, this Cup will be a chance to see if his skills match the talk, is accurate. We'll see what happens in the next week with injuries, etc., but as it stands, I think we'll beat the Czech Republic and finish second. Strangely, I had a dream two nights ago that I was watching that game and in the 75th minute, the score was 0-0. We won't beat Brazil in the second round (unless it goes to penalties, where anything can happen, and we have Kasey Keller), but I think they'll know they've been in a game. A guy can only dream...
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:14 PM on June 02, 2006
Tex, I like your dream. I can see a late winner from DMB against the Czechs.
posted by billsaysthis at 10:35 PM on June 02, 2006
Don't forget that even through they look great on paper or did well early. They still have to play a good game to advance and next time you think chances are fading just remember the 82 Brazil team or Argentina in 02..
posted by Distraidoheroe07 at 10:50 PM on June 02, 2006
No pre-tournament rating lasts past the first match. That said, my gut sense is that the Czech team will play solidly, have good support, and take at least a point from the US. Related: Tim Adams on seeing the velvet revolution through the Czech team.
posted by etagloh at 11:01 PM on June 02, 2006
I heard the same talk when the World Cup was in the US. Then the Czechs beat them 5 - 0. Because they beat mostly the Carribean nations, they think they are good. The US rating is full of political crap.
posted by Mr C at 05:24 AM on June 03, 2006
I heard the same talk when the World Cup was in the US. Then the Czechs beat them 5 - 0. You weren't hearing it from anyone reputable and to compare this US squad to that '94 team is pure head-in-the-sand ignorance. The US rating is full of political crap. Em, yeah, that's what it is. Good to see the genius opinions come to life. Look, American soccer fans don't believe we deserve a top 5 rating, but that's FIFA's flawed sytem and has nothing to do with American politics or FIFA giving us a high rating in hopes of drawing out the American sporting public, whichever you're implying. We beat mostly the Carribean nations because they happen to be in our quadrant of the globe; you can only play teams put in front of you. I expect to see you naysayers back here on June 12 around 2 p.m. EDT.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:08 AM on June 03, 2006
My wife went to the Ireland-USA rugby match this afternoon (a girlfriend won two tickets, and Buck Shaw Stadium was pretty much full, BTW) and explaining a bit of the basics to her made me think about how rugby and soccer both came out of England around the same time and for many decades English teams would not play other sides, even skipping the early World Cups. I mention this because the US is in somewhat the same situation these days with our national squad only a really serious affair for the last 25 years or so compared to a century or more in most other countries. We may make another final eight showing this time, or fail to get out of the first round, but we're a young side and our team will only get better.
posted by billsaysthis at 09:06 PM on June 03, 2006
Is anyone aware of Brazil playing friendlies leading up to Germany?
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 12:49 PM on June 04, 2006
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 01:43 PM on June 04, 2006
Brazil 4-0 New Zealand: Ronadlo leads the way Good old Ronadlo. I watched the game "as live" and the man of the match (aside from Ronaldinho who was sublime and Kafu who looked very dangerous) was Moss the NZ goalkeeper. Believe me, you need to win your group. Just FYI here's El Tel's verdict on the USA chances.
posted by squealy at 06:52 PM on June 04, 2006
squealy, not sure how much credence to give that one liner since he has Johnson in the American starting XI, which I don't really see happening unless both Claudio Reyna and John O'Brien are not fit.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:11 PM on June 05, 2006
I'm not sure how much the Czech's age is going to help the US, because they play in the first game. World Cups have suprises, (hello France, '02), and US qualification won't be anywhere near as unlikely as the defending champions going home after the first round, but my money still goes on Italy and the Czechs.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:32 PM on June 05, 2006
Well, far as I can tell, they're not exactly pushovers, but the second spot (or maybe the first spot, depending on how Italy deals with their big scandal) is going to be a dogfight. A worthy team will not be advancing. And whoever finishes second in that group draws Brazil (assuming Brazil shows up and wins through, which they will) in the second round, so I wouldn't hold my breath expecting a long run for the Americans. But do they have a chance? Definitely.