FIFA rankings sure make it seem like the US has a tough road. Italy at 12 and the Czechs at 2. Is our group regarded as one of the tougher groups I assume? I read somewhere that the Czechs had some injuries, does that mean that its pretty much a dead heat between us, the czechs and the italians for those 2 spots to get out of group play?

We are in one of the toughest groups....some think the toughest.

If I was forced to bet...I'd say we dont advance.

However, with that said, Czech does have some injuries...so you never know. I read yesterday that Nedved (sp?) hurt his knee in practice. I dont know if it was serious...but that would definately help our cause.

Bruce Arena at a press conference last night, pretty much said that he thought the Czechs we're lying about their injuries, and all their best players would play.

quote:

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“You don’t know what any of that means,” he said at todays press conference. “If you go by the press reports, three or four of their top players are out. On Monday I’d guess we’re going to see all of them on the field. Until I hear or see otherwise we’re preparing to go against all of their best players. The Kollers, the Baroses the Rosickys, what have you.”

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http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/bruce-doesnt-trust-czechs.html


[This message has been edited by dfifadara (edited 6/9/2006 9:58a).]

[This message has been edited by dfifadara (edited 6/9/2006 9:59a).]

Toughest group by far is Argentina, Hollanda group.

I think we have a more than fair chance of advancing. In this format, as we proved last year, anybody can win on any given day. Italy and Czech aren't THAT much better than the US. So I'd say we have a 50/50 chance of advancing.

I think we have a pretty good chance to advance.

Last WC we had a tough group too. Portugal, Poland, and host Korea. We squeeked through, but made it.