Yankee go home
Thanks a lot, W.
But seriously, folks.
I don't think anti-Americanism had anything to do with it, but boy, you almost wonder when you look at the draw the U.S. got for the 2006 World Cup. Joining the U.S. in group E will be Italy, the Czech Republic (ranked No. 2 in the world) and Ghana, arguably Africa's top team. As Jerry would say, "Good luck with all that!"
SI's soccer guru Grant Wahl breaks down the draw here.
Here's my take on it:
Man, do I really wish the U.S. could start things off with Italy. The well-gelled boys from the Mediterranean always seem to get off to a slow start in the World Cup (see, Ireland, 1994). I had visions of the U.S. getting an early goal and holding on for the upset.
As good as the Czech Republic has been in recent European Championships, somehow I can't shake the feeling that the Czechs could be this year's Portugal. I'm sure the U.S. team is feeling the same way.
Ghana? Who knows. African teams have traditionally been extremely dangerous, but also capable of laying an egg. Here's hoping the U.S. catches them at the right time.
My projection? I think the U.S. sneaks into the main draw by finishing second in the group (with a 1-1-1 record) but then goes up against mighty Brazil in the first round and goes out. It'll be an earlier exit than 2002 by a team that is clearly better than its previous version. Unfortunately, those are the breaks when you only seed eight teams in the draw.
I'd be curious to read what our resident soccer guru, sports editor Joe Sirera, thinks.
Comments (1)
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Remember 1990?
That's the World Cup that started this five-time qualifying run for the U.S. men. An overmatched bunch of college kids who would grow into the foundation for the 1994 and 1998 squads was drawn into a group with Austria and ... Italy and Czechoslovakia. Replace Austria with Ghana, arguably a stronger side, and update Czechoslovakia to the Czech Republic and you have the U.S. group for 2006.
One significant difference is that Italy was the host in 1990, although the Italians actually struggled to put away the U.S. 1-0. The other results in 1990 were less favorable -- a 2-1 loss to a weak Austrian team and a 5-1 rout at the hands of Czechoslovakia.
This is a much stronger U.S. side than the one that advanced to the quarterfinals in 2002. But it may not show in the results.
I agree with Jim. I'd rather see Italy in the opener than in the second game. I've seen the Italians go through the motions in their Cup opener before. I was at Giants Stadium in 1994 and witnessed a listless Italian team mail it in against Ireland in a 1-0 loss. That was Ireland's only win of the tournament and Italy's only loss -- until Roberto Baggio's missed PK in the final against Brazil.
Still, the opener is the key. If the U.S. can grab three points against the Czech Republic as it did in 2002 against a typically talented but soft Portugal side, I would pencil the Yanks into the second round. But a point from that match also might be enough. Then, it's a matter of tying or keeping the goal differential down against Italy and beating a Ghana side that undeniably has talent but doesn't have experience against the world's top sides as a team, although some of its players play on Europe's top club sides.
My prediction? The U.S. goes 1-1-1, but is out after the group stage on goal differential.
Posted on December 12, 2005 4:58 PM