Nevermind the score. The US effort against Czechs embarrassing

Retreat! Retreat! The Czechs look so scary! There is no way we can break their defense! Let's give the ball back to Kasey, he'll know what to do!

I feel bad for Kasey Keller. It seemed that guy touched the ball more than any other US player on the field today against the Czech Republic. And only one of those touches was a save. The United States looked so frightened to go forward, that there were times when Kasey decided to dribble around a bit. And why not, he had enough passes given to him during the match.

The only way to describe the US effort in their World Cup demoralization at the hands of the Czech Republic is a complete embarrassment.

During the warm up matches leading up to the tournament I was an optimist. The team would work out the kinks on American soil and then hit Group E play on all cylinders. Well, not a signal piston was firing during the entire 90 minutes of their opening match.

Jan Koller flowed like a harpoon between Gooch and Pope to spear home the first Czech goal just five minutes in. From that point most of the US players, stuck a fork in the match. They were done. With the exception of a few. Claudio Reyna pressed forward to get a shot off the post...and yeah, that was about it.

Just before ESPN 2 cut away from the match, showing mostly the Czechs congratulating themselves, there was one image that I hope some photographer captured. It was Josh Wolff with a look of absolute embarrassment. Nothing more needed to be shown or said. Not only did the United States mens national team embarrassed themselves, but they embarrassed their domestic league, and a growing fan base.

As a member of that fan base I have few questions for the team:

1.)In a World Cup match against a celebrated and experienced European side did you guys decide to stand around? It didn't matter if we had the ball or the Czechs, there always seemed to be a few blue shirts just standing in the camera shot.

2.)A team that is not very quiet about “playing their game” against any team in the world, why did you change your plans on this day? There was no taking on players, most players looked horrified to even receive the ball and thus made lots, and I mean LOTS of passes backwards.

3.)What's it like going for a nice leisurely stroll on a green grass field in the heart of Germany on a warm summer afternoon? Did you wonder what the guys in white were doing? It appeared so at times.

All hope is not lost. There are two more games, and it is possible to still get out of the group. But a must win situation against Italy or Ghana is not a favorable one. Although, if they were to pull it off, it would make for a great story. But the only story right now is why did the United States show so little effort and energy in a World Cup game? It's Baffling.