Americans shaky in opening loss to Czechs
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Four years of preparation went awry in five minutes for the United States.
Having been routed, roughed up and run over by the Czech Republic in a 3-0 crusher Monday night, they need a tie against three-time champion Italy this weekend to have any realistic chance of advancing to the World Cup's second round.
"It's going to be hard, but it's not over," said Landon Donovan, one of several players singled out by U.S. coach Bruce Arena for poor play.
Jan Koller, the Czech Republic's 6-foot-7Z\x forward, scored five minutes in, and Tomas Rosicky added goals in the 36th and 76th minutes.
The United States managed 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.
Sixteen years ago in Florence, the Americans were routed 5-1 by Czechoslovakia in the first World Cup game for the United States since 1950. In that tournament, the Americans followed with a 1-0 loss to Italy in Rome.
But so much more was expected of this U.S. team, ranked fifth in the world. But even during "The Spar-Spangled Banner," when Donovan and defender Oguchi Onyewu stared straight ahead, the Americans looked tight.
"I think the players as well as coaches are a bit shocked right now," defender Eddie Lewis said.
Donovan and Brian McBride, the two U.S. forwards, didn't even have any shots at all, and DaMarcus Beasley managed just one. Donovan said "it was embarrassing."
"We didn't play well. We didn't compete. We didn't make the plays," said goalkeeper Kasey Keller, also criticized by Arena. "It was just a shame. We definitely gave the game away, and that's what we're frustrated about."
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.
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.
"We all have to learn quick, especially the young guys," U.S. captain Claudio 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."
Italy opened with a 2-0 win over Ghana in Hanover. In Group F, Australia rallied past Japan 3-1.
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," said Donovan, whose scoreless streak for the national team reached 16 games.
