View from overseas: US taught a lesson in the fine art of football

Story by Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers
Surrey, UK (June 13, 2006) - The Men's National team received a harsh lesson in the realities of soccer circa 2006 in Gelsenkirchen yesterday. Where the Czech Republic were fleet of foot the US were flat, and of greater concern, while the former European Championship finalists displayed mental sharpness and dexterity the US were slow and ponderous.

Losing the first game of a major tournament does make life difficult, but many teams have lost and gone on and won the title, West Germany 54 and Argentina 78. So the set back in terms of getting out of the group is not particular debilitating, read England 86 and Argentina 90.

At the Arena AufSchalke Beasley and Donovan were proven to not be in the same class as Nedved and Rosicky. Some of the players' suffered from stage fright as World Cup debutants and ultimately the best sides will pick apart a pragmatic and workmen like US National team.

Given the nature of the side and the lack of World Cup experience for some of the players', what happened was understandable. Surely the defeat will spur the team on to highlight their true qualities against Italy?

It also seems likely that Donavon and Beasley will step up a gear. Donovan was anonymous. He will want to prove himself, while Beasley will be angered by how easily he was hustled out of the game. Eddie Johnson showed strength in character by imposing his game, and finding space with ease, he also suggests the best of the MLS can compete against Europeans.

Aside from being slow and nervous, the system the team uses, while logical does not reflect the MLS. The tactics employed are reminiscent of weak German national teams or lower end EPL sides. While this may be reflective of the coaching system and personnel at the country's disposal, watching the MLS week in, week out, the rhythm and possession style used there is not prevalent in this situation. Maybe this is something that should be looked at in future.

With regards to the next two games, the US knows they can't play any worse. They are a good team with decent players, so it will be interesting to see how they respond against Italy in K-Town.

As for England, maintaining possession is still a problem, along with Gerrard finding his game. The side definitely has shades of another glorious failure but this idea does not extrapolate the Rooney factor.

The concern is there could be a similar situation to Jan Koller's ailment. His hamstring buckled under the unique and extreme pressures of the World Cup environment, having recently returned from injury. Rooney is like no other, but will not hold back, the management must be extremely cautious about bringing him in against Trinidad and Tobago, the World Cup is potentially a month long.

Elsewhere Ghana, Angola and Ivory Coast should be disappointed by there profligacy and lack of self belief. It is understandable given their inexperience, but the fact remains at times all three sides have games' that can be un-playable.

Germany, should be very pleased with their effort in the opening game. Under pressure and without great experience running through the team they showed authority and fluidity, it will be exciting to see how they respond to bigger challenges.

World Cup Fever- close family and friends have been told by doctors' that all they can do is hope and pray. Medical experts have declared I can make it through the next month. However, there have been no prior cases of patients waking up and talking about offside laws and tackles from behind, intertwined with overtime comebacks at Bridgeview Stadium and Ruiz equaling MLS goal scoring records. Oh the glory game.

Andrew Rogers, contributes to USA Today, Gol TV and Four Four Two. He lives in Sunbury on Thames in England. Formerly the director of communications for the Long Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, he is a UEFA 'B" license coach and plays semi-professionally with Spelthorne FC.