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In the first Group E match between the Czech Republic and the US national teams, the Europeans celebrated a victory with a score of 3-0. Czech goalkeeper Tomas Rosicky scored two goals. The match was filled with dangerous moments and yellow cards. With this victory, the Czechs once again proved that they are a strong team even without their leader Milan Baros, and they can go far in this World Cup. Meanwhile, US coach Bruce Arena will surely have a lot to discuss with his players.
Lineups:
US: Keller, Onyewu, Mastroeni (45' Johnson), Pope, Cherundolo (45' O'Brien), Reyna, Beasley, Convey, Lewis, McBride (77' Wolff), Donovan
Czech Republic: Cech, Grygera, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Jankulovski, Poborsky (82' Polak), Galasek, Rosicky (86' Stajner), Plasil, Nedved, Koller (45' Lokvenc)
The Czechs started the match slightly better and more aggressively. In the 4th minute, US defender O.Onyewu brought down Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and was cautioned. Just a minute later, the first goal of the match was scored. Czech defender Zdenek Grygera passed the ball into the penalty area, where the two-meter-tall Czech giant Jan Koller headed it past US goalkeeper Casey Keller.
After conceding the goal, the Americans tried to take control of the game. For a while, the US team managed to press the Czechs near their goal, but their attacks were often thwarted by inaccurate passes.
In the 16th minute, US forward Landon Donovan was fouled by Czech defender David Rozehnal, resulting in a yellow card. The game became more balanced, with the Americans controlling the ball more in the center, but they struggled to create dangerous opportunities near Petr Cech's goal.
In the 36th minute, the Czechs scored their second goal of the match. During a positional attack, defender Tomas Rosicky received the ball and unleashed a powerful shot from about 35 meters out. The precise strike left US goalkeeper C.Keller with no chance. It was a beautiful goal that showcased why T.Rosicky would be playing for one of the strongest clubs in the world, Arsenal in London, next year.
In the second half, the US started aggressively. Defender Steve Cherundolo was replaced by forward Eddie Johnson, and midfielder Pablo Mastroeni was subbed off for John O'Brien. The US team had a couple of attempts to break through the Czech defense, but they were unsuccessful. In the 49th minute, a US defender handled the ball. A free-kick from the right, taken by Karel Poborsky, narrowly missed the crossbar.
In the 59th minute, yellow cards were shown to Czech forward Vratislav Lokvenc and US midfielder Claudio Reyna. The game continued with both teams creating chances, but the Czechs were more clinical in front of goal.
In the 76th minute, Rozicky scored his second goal of the match with another powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area. Despite their efforts, the US team couldn't find the net, and the Czech Republic celebrated a 3-0 victory.
