SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer USA vs. Czech Republic

First goal- I have never seen a LB more out of position. Pope looked like it was his first time marking a striker.

2nd goal- Reyna wanted no part of closing down the ball, a half-assed attempt.
3rd goal- completes total collapse by the defense, which I thought would keep us in games.

Imagine how Keller feels.

Overall I thought Beasley was the only guy playing with passion, although he needs to get more balls. The others had the "deer in the headlights" look.

Blame this one on Bush too -

Gemma Clarke
Monday June 12, 2006
Guardian Unlimited
<<This wasn't quite the clash of the titans the Fifa rankings suggested was in store. If the Czech Republic proved worthy claimants to the title of Second Best Team In The World with confidence, poise and excellent finishing, the USA showed how laughable their fifth billing is with a stunning lack of ingenuity.
Perhaps it was George Bush's ominous 'good luck' speech that sent the USA team into a combat looking completely unprepared and overwhelmed. " The whole country is behind you," Bush said. " Give them hell.">>

Arena also singled out PSV Eindhoven midfielder DaMarcus Beasley - alongside Donovan one of his most important players - for strong criticism.

"We got nothing out of Beasley on the night," Arena said.

"Not enough players took the initiative. We didn't get too many good performances."

Although known for his generally blunt style, Arena was in top form as he rattled off his team's failings with refreshing candor.

"A number of players played poorly," he said. "Aside from giving up the early goal, second balls were a big part of the game and they won more than their fair share."

They need to put Beasley back on the left. Having Eddie Lewis as LB and Convey as LM was not smart on Arena's part. They both aren't that great of defenders. Lewis basically plays LB just to run the flank and serve in balls, which he did not do well today. I thought Convey played decent offensively but did not track back to much defensively. If they put Beasley back on the left and get Dempsey playing right, that would be more beneficial to them. Did John O' Brien even play?? I mean he played the entire second half and did absolutely nothing. Donovan, McBride, O'Brien, Beasley were practically non existent.

On the upside, I feel they will play WAY better on Saturday with some moderations to the line-up. Arena is a good coach and will find a way. I believe they can beat Italy.

Remember, "One Game Changes Everything"

HAHA I feel bad for you people who have keller on your fantasy lineups

Wayne?

Are you sure you meant Beasley was the only guy playing with passion? He looked absolutely dreadful, like he did not want to be there, and had absolutely no interest in attacking at all. Every time he got the ball he turned around. Sorry, but he did not play with passion at all.

..all I have to say is.. WHERE WAS ZIDANE!!?!?

while benp, jack, and I watched the Italy and Ghana game, benp asked, "how come zidane is not in the starting line up". benp lost 1/2 of his "infamous" standing with me.

Ronaldinho ..Gilardino.. whatever!


Totti.. that's how you say Zidane in Italian.

How can anyone say Arena is a good Coach. He played with this starting line up and no tactics to break down a defense that looked like every other European teams defense. Strong in the air in the middle.

Someone in midfield has to get the ball on the floor and run at the middle of the defense. So many of the goals scored in the WC have come from just that. Lots of people on this post are saying the same, so how come Arena is so blind he could not see it.

Dempsey had scored so many goals from attacking mid for the US team, he must have been asleep then too.

He had the same problem against Morocco recently and learned nothing. The definition of futility is keep doing the same thing and hoping for a different result. Chip the ball from 30 yards to the opposition center half - "brilliant" as the Guiness advert says. But welcome to the World of Bruce Arena. Great job for naming names by him too, lots of teambuilding spirit being created right there too. So for me, I don't think the vast majority of the blame goes to players, it is to the coach. No tactics and no Johnson/Dempsey.

On the plus side at least the US might look at a foreign coach for 2010. On the negative side, the loss of rankings will mean another tough group.