Op-Ed \ Andrew Rogers

U.S. is handed a harsh lesson about the world game.

(Tuesday, June 13, 2006) -- The United States men received a harsh lesson in the realities of soccer circa 2006 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, yesterday, with a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the Czech Republic. While the Czechs were fleet of foot, the U.S. was flat. Of greater concern, while the victorious 1996 European Championship finalists displayed mental sharpness and dexterity, the Americans 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 win the World Cup title -- West Germany (1954) and Argentina (1978). So the setback in terms of getting out of Group E is not particular debilitating, read England '86 and Argentina '90.

At the Arena AufSchalke, U.S. midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan were proven to not be in the same class as their Czech counterparts -- Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky. Some of the Americans suffered from stage fright as World Cup debutants and ultimately the best sides will pick apart a pragmatic and workman-like team, such as the U.S.

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

It also seems likely that Donavan and Beasley will step up a gear. Donovan was anonymous and will want to prove himself. Beasley, who could be headed for the bench, should be angered by how easily he was hustled out of the game. Eddie Johnson, the American striker who joined the fray after intermission, showed strength in character by imposing his game and finding space with ease. He also suggests the best of the Major League Soccer can compete against Europeans.

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

With regard to the next two games, the U.S. knows it can't play any worse. The Americans 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 Steven Gerrard finding his game. The side definitely has shades of another glorious failure, but this idea does not extrapolate the Wayne Rooney factor.

The concern is that Rooney could suffer a similar ailment as did Czech striker Jan Koller, who returned from a serious injury to have his hamstring buckle under the unique and extreme pressures of the World Cup environment. Rooney is like no other, but will not hold back, so management must be extremely cautious about bringing him in against Trinidad & Tobago Thursday. 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 its effort in the opening game. Under pressure and without great experience running through the team, the Germans 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 Carlos Ruiz equaling MLS goal-scoring records. Oh, the glory game.

Andrew Rogers, a regular contributor to the United Kingdom's League Paper and Non League Paper, 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.

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