So THAT'S what happens when a top flight European squad takes you seriously in a match in a World Cup. See, the US apparently thought that its experience with Portugal in the opener of the last cup was standard fare. Not so much. In the ever encouraging words of the ESPN commentators, 'the US got smoked.'
The unfortunate thing is that right up until that second beautiful goal rocketed into the side netting from about 80 yards away, the US was right in the thing. Controlling possession. Down 1-0, but on an early goal. The Czechs hadn't looked particularly strong since then. Reyna just had an incredible strike come within two or three inches of tying up the game. All was well in the world.
And then, bad clearance by central defense, and BOOM, 2-0. It was a clean right hook to the jaw, and we went down just like Michael Warrick in the 9th round last Wednesday. Doctors reported only weak signs of life for the remainder of the game.
I read somewhere after our loss to the Germs in the quarterfinals in '02 something like this: 'Congrats America, you've truly arrived. Today you outplayed another team, but got beat anyway. Welcome to World Cup football.' Well, maybe this is another step in our development. Congrats America, you're on your way. Today a European team took you seriously, and beat you mercilessly up and down the pitch. Welcome to World Cup football.
