World Cup: Day 4: Monday 6/12

Well, that sucked. The US just had their asses handed to them 3-0 by the Czech Republic. I can't even say that I'm terribly disappointed because this is about what I expected would happen (though I did think it would only be 2-0 or 3-1.)

Anyone that thought we were going to go out and whip up on this team because of WC'02 was buying ESPN's hype hook, line and sinker. I can hear you all saying "What about Portugal?" Well, that was a once in a lifetime surprise attack. Nobody was going to be fooled this time around. Not to mention the fact that Portugal is a perennial underachiver. Couple that with the fact that we looked mediocre in the send off series and lost to the only good team we played (Morocco.)

I'm just grateful Milan Barros wasn't on the field  or it might've been even worse.

The main source of my frustration was the early reliance on the long ball and then Bruce Arena's decision not to pull DaMarcus Beasely, who in my opinion, turned in one of the worst performances I've seen a "star" player for the US make. Simply horrible.

Our fans' enthusiasm was the only positive US related thing we saw today in Germany.

Congrats to Australia for sucking it up to score 3 goals in seven minutes at the end of the game to defeat Japan 3-1. Even though I wanted Japan to win, I have to applaud that level of fight. Go Socceroos! I wish Gus Hiddink were our coach.