Ugh

I waited four years for this? I hope I haven't been kidding myself in regard to the state of U.S. soccer. Since their surprising World Cup performance in 2002, I hoped that U.S. soccer had turned the corner, and had become a legitimate world soccer power. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. We looked more like Trinidad and Tobago (minus the great goalkeeping) or Costa Rica than Italy or Germany. Our skill level and effort was pathetic. No doubt the Czechs are good, but honestly, we looked like the worst team in the entire competition thus far.

Can we please turn off the Landon Donovan hype machine? He hasn't scored in 16 international matches, and he was virtually non-existent in today's match. Yes, he has talent and potential, but his poor stay for his German club, and his hit-and-miss performances in both the MLS and recent international play, indicate he's not an elite player. And, don't even mention Demarcus Beasley. He's fast. That's about it. The Czech's best defense today was letting the ball go to Beasley, so he could either duff it or turn it over. If these two are the future of American soccer, we're hurting. Nedved showed these two how world class midfield is played in the match today.

Speaking of defense, where was ours? On the first goal, Lewis is no where to be found, and Onyewu was out of position, giving Koller an easy header from about 5 yards away in the fifth minute of the match. On the second goal, Onyewu headed it out in a clearance to the MIDDLE of the field, where Rosicky smacked a wicked shot from 35 yards out. Granted, it was a wicked smash, but I think Keller should've got to it. Lastly, Onyewu failed to tackle Rosicky on his run to score the last Czech tally. At least Pope was decent. Keller really had no chance today, but Hislop (T&T's goalie) didn't either on Saturday, and he stopped several world-class shots. Please, please, somebody tell me why Bocanegra isn't in there?

As mentioned previously, the midfield play was horrific. I've already covered Donovan and Beasley. (To be fair, Donovan did play forward in the first half, but he really didn't contribute at either position.) Reyna was decent, and at least Convey made the effort to attack creatively. Maestroni was a non-factor. No one could get any service to the forwards. We were absolutely abused in the middle third of the field by the Czechs. O'brien was decent in the second half. Hopefully, he'll start in Beasley's place against Italy. Without marked improvement, the Italy match will be very similar to this one.

McBride - my guy - really had no chance to be a factor today, since very few quality balls were sent into him. However, even when he did get a chance to touch the ball, he was uncharacteristically sloppy and inconsistent. Eddie Johnson, who came on in the second half, was the most dangerous U.S. player, getting off the U.S.'s only quality shots, save Reyna's blast off the woodwork in the 28th minute. I really think Johnson will start against Italy, as he was one of the few that came to play.

I know that no one important in U.S. soccer cares what I think, but here's who I'd start Saturday:

GK - Keller
Def - Bocanegra, Pope, Conrad, Albright
Mid - O'Brien, Convey, Reyna, Donovan
F - McBride, Johnson

I'd also have Dempsey ready to come in if the midfield falters again. Wolff is also a player who can help create opportunities, so I'd have him available as well.

Maybe I just don't have the stomach for the World Cup, and I'm overreacting a bit. The U.S. is not out of it. They're into the second round if they win the next two matches, which is a tall order for sure. Italy will be every bit the challenge that the Czech Republic was, and Ghana is certainly capable of beating the U.S., especially if they play like they did today.

Since the World Cup comes only every four years, I'll still remain optimistic. The U.S. can't possibly play any worse than they did today. Maybe there's a chance they'll regroup, and at least make it interesting. Otherwise, I'll root for some of my other favorite teams - England, France, Portugal, and Trinidad and Tobago. (Wasn't Hislop amazing? Any fan of the sport had to appreciate their plucky effort against Sweden. If only the U.S. played with that much heart...)