"When the United States plays the Czech Republic today, it will be the latest version of American soccer's most important game of the new century.... The world judges World Cup success not just on getting there but what you do there regularly. To most of the world, that's what counts. The US, long a doormat in its own region of qualifying (CONCACAF), woke up in 1990 and it has not missed the finals since. And at the very least the Americans share "neighborhood bully" status with Mexico. That's an interesting situation because Mexico has been here 13 times and has never advanced past the quarters. The Mexicans are considered underachievers. The Americans, playing their fifth consecutive tournament, are a better team than in 2004, and yet may not advance to the round of 16. They may not win a game."- Read Marcos' full report at the Tampa Tribune >>
- Catch the game on ESPN2 or via MatchTracker at www.ussoccer.com
