I'm Afraid of Americans

I doubt the US could have played any worse yesterday. It was genuinely the worst case scenario, especially with Italy's 2-0 win over Ghana. Now we're five goals down on differential. We showed flashes at time but couldn't put anything together against a clearly superior Czech team. I only saw the games from Saturday over the weekend, but they were the best team I've seen play so far. That Rosicky guy is insane (and aptly named). Apparently Arsenal just signed him. The two goals he scored against the US were amazing. They were the type of goals that Casey Keller generally stops.

If I'm Bruce Arena I make the following changes for Saturday(discussed at length with DCeiver on the post-game walk back from the bar):
1) Bench DeMarcus Beasely and sub out Brian McBride at halftime. Beasley is on the field because of his speed but was routinely beaten by the much bigger and more physical Czech players yesterday. He was basically useless and putting him on the left hurts the play of Bobby Convey, easily the USA's best player yesterday (which I called on the walk over to the bar BTW). McBride is ineffective if he does't get the ball served to him, which never happened yesterday. He doesn't come back for the ball much and isn't effective out of the opposing team's box.
2) Move Landon Donavan back to the midfield so he can get the ball more.
3) Move Bobby Convey back to the left. Convey was the bright spot yesterday. He can get by anyone and serves the ball well from the wing. He's a tiny dude but not intimidated by anyone.
4) More PT for Eddie Johnson please. He is just as one dimensional as McBride, but at least the defense has to account for him when the ball is at his foot. He came close to scoring twice in limited time yesterday.
5) Get John O'Brien on the field. He's one of the few US players that can get the ball and keep it.
6) I also want to go on the record saying I hate Eddie Lewis playing defense.
7) Is it too late to start reminiscing about Brad Freidel?
8) Lastly, let me state my surprise that the World Cup was the lead story on ESPN.com after Ben Brothelsburger pulled a Jay Williams.

We have to beat Italy to have any hope of advancing. Saturday should be interesting. My feelings are that going into match play, Keller would give up no more than four or maybe five goals in match play. I still believe that to be true. But it would definitely help if the defense, you know, stepped to the ball when the opposition has it.

Where is everyone watching the Italy match on Saturday?

Michael Davies is writing a World Cup blog for ESPN.com that is very entertaining. Be sure to check it out.
Grant Wahl on how effed we are (and this was written before the game yesterday).
DCeiver's two cents. Alexi Asshat indeed.

Also, if DCeiver and I ever start a band, it will be named "Clay Court Specialist."

Ruh roh.

Raconteurs + Gnarls Barkey + Horseracing? Maybe we're crazy. Probably.

Nethers tour diary! They play DC tomorrow. Yes, I am going to see them yet again. Expect more pictures.

Oh, I also found out that I'll be attending the early show on Thursday when Be Your Own Pet opens for the mighty Sonic Youth. Best!

Stream Primal Scream's "Country Girl" here (QT) and here (Windoze). I'm scared it's gonna suck. Someone tell me if they like it or not.

I've had a big album review post half written for about a month now, but one sampler I got that I liked alot was from Regina Spektor. Stream her track "Summer In The City" here (QT) and here (Windoze).