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On June 12th, Monday, teams from Group E will start their battles at the World Cup. In the second match of this group, the teams of the United States and the Czech Republic will face each other. Both teams have experience in such prestigious competitions, so we can expect a fierce match. In this group, where Italy and Ghana also play, dropping points at the beginning of the championship is not advisable, as a single mistake can cost a ticket to the next stage.
Group E USA - Czech Republic Venue: Aufschalke Arena, Gelsenkirchen Time: June 12th, 19:00 Lithuanian time
About the teams
USA FIFA ranking: 5th place The United States national team will participate in its 8th World Cup. The best result achieved by the US soccer team was 3-4th place in 1930. In 1998, the US team ended their performance in the group stage, losing all three matches. In the 2002 World Cup, the Americans withdrew in the quarterfinals, losing 0-1 to the future finalists, the Germans.
Czech Republic FIFA ranking: 2nd place As an independent state, the Czech Republic will participate in the World Cup for the first time. The former Czechoslovakian team played in 8 World Cups and reached the final twice (in 1934 and 1962). In those finals, the Czechoslovaks had to admit defeat to Italy and Brazil, respectively.
Previous matches The USA and the Czech Republic have played each other only once. It happened during the 1990 World Cup, when in the group stage, the then Czechoslovakia crushed the Americans with a score of 5-1.
Facts Before facing European teams in the World Cup, the USA has played a total of 13 matches. Out of those, they won three, drew one, and were forced to leave the field defeated 9 times.
Qualification USA: Finished first in the final CONCACAF stage. 10 games, 7 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. Czech Republic: 2nd place in the group. 12 games, 9 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses. With second place, the Czechs had to overcome another qualifying stage. After defeating Norway, the Czechs qualified for the final stage of the World Cup.
Friendly matches USA: Played 7 friendly matches before the World Cup. Won against Poland (1-0), Venezuela (2-0), Latvia (1-0), and Angola (1-0). Drew against Jamaica (1-1). Lost to Germany (1-4) and Morocco (0-1). Towards the end of the World Cup preparations, the USA started showing a much stronger and mature style of play.
Czech Republic: Played 4 friendly matches. Won three (2-0 against Saudi Arabia, 1-0 against Costa Rica, 3-0 against Trinidad and Tobago) and drew 2-2 with Turkey.
Opinions
USA Amidst discussions about the uncertain chances of Milan Baros appearing in the first World Cup match, USA coach Bruce Arena says it could all be a ruse to mislead his team:
"You can't believe everything you read in the newspapers," quipped B.Arena ambiguously. - "If you believed the press, three out of the four best players would appear in the match. But I'm practically convinced that on Monday we will see all of their players on the field."
Team captain Claudio Reyna identified Czech giant Jan Koller as the main threat to the USA defense:
"He is the one who creates Czech attacks, so we need to know that the ball will definitely revolve around him," Reyna warned his teammates. - "As soon as he gets the ball, we have to be focused and ready."
Czech Republic The main concern of Czech national team coach Karel Bruckner is the unclear future of Milan Baros. According to the coach, he has not yet fully decided whether the forward will play in the Monday match:
"I will decide on Monday, but if Milan is not 100% ready, he will not play. I will not take risks with any of my players by making such decisions."
"The match will be interesting," said Baros. - "We are training to deliver high balls, but the USA defenders are very tall, so we will have to make a serious effort."
Although the Czechs are ranked 2nd in the FIFA rankings, trailing only the current world champions Brazil, the team’s coach rarely talks about it.
"We try to appear as modest as possible in various declarations, but certainly not on the pitch," said the Czech coach.
"Americans are quite strong in attack. They link up well and are well-prepared physically," said Czech forward Jan Koller, who is expected to be one of the most dangerous Czech weapons in the match against the USA.
"I've seen their matches. They always play from start to finish, maintaining a high pace throughout the match," added Koller.
Injuries USA: All players are healthy and ready for the match.
Czech Republic: Unclear future for Milan Baros. Due to a foot injury suffered in a friendly match last week, the forward barely trained.
Possible starting lineups
USA: Keller; Lewis, Onyewu, Pope, Cherundolo; Convey, Reyna, Mastroeni, Beasley; Donovan, McBride
Czech Republic: Cech; Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi; Galasek, Nedved, Poborsky, Rosicky; Baros, Koller
