The U.S. team that opens its World Cup run tomorrow against the Czech Republic is younger, deeper, more athletic and more confident than the one that shocked the sport by reaching the 2002 quarterfinals. It, simply put, is better.
But with Group E one of this tourney’s two toughest brackets, they’ll have to be far better just to reach the knockout stage, much less return to the quarterfinals.
Still, after years of being dismissed or ignored, they apparently welcome increased pressure and heightened expectations.
The Czechs are ranked second in the world, Italy’s three World Cup titles are second only to Brazil, and Ghana has speed and a gifted midfield. And yet, taking their cue from brash Brooklynborn coach Bruce Arena, the players are convinced they can beat any and all comers. Now doing it is the trick.
“At this point, the evolution of our program is that we’re playing against big players from big clubs, but we realize they’re players like we are,” Arena said.
“On any given day, we can play with anybody in the world. We really believe that. We’re confident when we step on the field, we can play with the Czech Republic.” That in itself is progress. Arena admits that in 1990 – when they lost 5-1 to Czechoslovakia, 10 to Italy and 2-1 to Austria – “there was never a chance for the U.S. against Czechoslovakia.” But now they’re ranked fifth in the world, boast four players that have been named captain or MVP of European clubs, and have a dozen with World Cup experience – the second-most in this summer’s tourney.
“What we did last time boosts our confidence,” midfielder John O’Brien said. “There’s been a lot of games that we’ve been able to do what you don’t think the U.S.
can do. The confidence seems higher. We know we can win games.” O’Brien might be the biggest X-factor on the club. He and Springfield, N.J., native Claudio Reyna are their two most skilled players, and drove the midfield in that 2002 run. Both are brittle, with Reyna pulling his hamstring in the first of three tuneup games and O’Brien injured often the past four years.
But while the Czech suddenly seem banged-up – Vlad Smicer is out, and forward Milan Baros (foot) limped out of their last friendly – Reyna played in the U.S. scrimmage vs. Angola, and O’Brien insists he’s fit.
“I’ve been training consistently, and feeling ready to play. I’m in good form, and don’t have to hold back,” said O’Brien, a development that should allow MF/F Landon Donovan more freedom in attack, set behind forward Brian McBride. Against the massive Czech team, that could be key.
“I don’t see them as a team that’s unbeatable,” defender Steve Cherundolo said. “We’ll find a way to break them down.’ Oddschecker rated the U.S. 13to-8 odds to get out of the group, or well behind the Czech Republic.
And when EA Sports – makers of the popular Madden, NBA Live and FIFA World Cup games – simulated the Cup, the Czechs won the whole tourney.
Just more perceptions for the U.S. to break.