Czech Team: Cech, Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozenhal, Ujfalusi, Galasek, Poborski(Polak 82), Nedved, Rosicky(Stajner 85), Plasil, Koller(Lokvenc 43).

USA Team: Keller, Lewis, Cherundolo(Johnson 45), Pope, Onyewu, Mastroeni(O'Brien 45), Reyna, Beasley, Convey, Donovan, McBride(Wolff 77).

Match Report: What looked on paper to be an evenly matched contest turned out to be a rout as USA failed to show their potential and Czech Republic basically gave them a footballing lesson.

Nedved and Rosicky were immediately buzzing around the midfield oozing confidence and probing forward, they both looked up for it from the off. Onyewu crudely hacked down Nedved as he burst through the middle on just 3 minutes to receive the game's first yellow card, and the USA team seemed to be caught cold by the swiftness of the Czech's play.

A quick counter attack with Grygera overlapping down the right brought the first goal on just five minutes. Grygera swung a precision cross in at pace to meet the forehead of the gargantuan Koller in the six yard box. He doesn't miss from there. A classic strikers goal, made easy by the perfect delivery.

The five man midfield employed by the Czechs was now comfortably in control, with the Americans struggling to string a move together. Their only option appeared to be the punt up front to McBride, who was willingly showing for the ball but hopelessly outnumbered and tightly marked. Donovan did have one run through the middle which was stopped by a Rozenhal foul, for which he was booked.

Nedved continued to seek the ball at every opportunity, and a neat cross from the left from the outside of his right boot almost brought a second headed goal from Grygera, who was steaming in at the far post but headed over.

Just after the half hour Nedveds Left foot cross was partially cleared by Onyewu, only to land at the feet of Rosicky 30 yards out. Rosicky's response was instant and decisive. A crisply struck shot from his right boot arched high to Kellers left and nestled in the corner, a quality strike. The USA looked visibly shaken by this, and failed to compete for the remainder of the half.

Just before half time came a bad momment for the Czech side as Koller was stretchered off after appearing to tear a hamstring while stretching for a pass. He could well be out for the rest of the tournament.

Half Time: USA 0 Czech Republic 2

USA Coach Bruce Arena made 2 changes at half time, in an attempt to turn the game around: Johnson came on for Cherundolo, and O'Brien came on for Mastroeni. in truth this had no effect on the game.

The American's still continued to try the route one option, and other than Reyna who tried to initiate some passing through the middle, they were devoid of ideas. DaMarcus Beasley & Landon Donovon were particularly disappointing.

In contrast, the Czechs could do no wrong and went close again from a Poborski free kick. A curled ball was met by a glancing header by Ujfalusi and drifted agonisingly past Kellers right post with the keeper unable to get near. Poborski then reversed a fine pass through the centre to the lumbering Lokvenc (on as Kollers replacement) who was unable to finish.

Rosicky and Nedved now began to tear apart the weak midfield of USA and the third goal seemed imminent. Rosicky hit the crossbar with a wicked dipping strike from all of 35 yards ,before going one better and notching Czech Republic's third. This time Nedved played a defence splitting pass which cut out four USA players to place Rosicky in on goal about 25 yards out. Rosicky advanced and placed the ball high to Keller's left, with a cool flick from the outside of his right boot. A class finish to cap a great individual performance.

The USA tried gamely to get a consolation, with Johnson the most likely, but the damage had already been done. The Czech Republic proved they can still be formidable opponents on their day, and the USA perhaps need to back to soccer summer camp.

Full Time: USA 0 Czech Republic 3

Czech Ratings: Cech 5, Grygera 7, Jankulovski 7, Rozenhal 6, Ujfalusi 6, Galasek 6, Poborski 6, Nedved 8, Rosicky 9, Plasil 6, Koller 7.
Subs: Lokvenc 3, Polak 5, Stajner 5

USA Ratings: Keller 5, Lewis 5, Cherundolo 4, Pope 4, Onyewu 5, Mastroeni 4, Reyna 5, Beasley 3, Convey 6, Donovan 4, McBride 5.
Subs: Johnson 6, O'Brien 4, Wolff 5

Referee: C. Amarilla (Paraguay) 5. Handled the game o.k. but still managed to hand out 6 yellows in a good tempered game.

Good: Three superb goals by the Czechs and Rosicky was outstanding.

Bad: USA looked to be devoid of ideas and punting the ball upfield is simply not going to work at this level.

Ugly: Bruce Arena had a face like thunder when the Czechs went 3-0 up. I don't suppose it was his fault, but he just looked pissed off that his team looked so poor.