On Monday, the U.S. suffered a sobering 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic. Monstruous forward Jan Koller scored in the 5th minute of play, putting the U.S. on its heels. The Czechs did not look back, out-hustling, out-muscling, and out-classing the U.S. for the remainder of the game. How does a team maintain a positive attitude coming from a game in which it was so thoroughly beaten? Apparently with a rededication to the original gameplan of applying early pressure and dictating the pace of the game. In an effort to wash the bad taste of Monday’s loss out of the team’s mouth, wholesale personnel changes are also expected.

After a star turn in the 2002 World Cup, DaMarcus Beasley may find himself on the bench at the start of Saturday’s game. His atrocious play against the Czechs was characterized by aimless dribbling, predictable passes, and a general lack of creativity and desire. Pablo Mastroeni, who was consistently beaten to balls in his role as defensive midfielder, also looks to be seated at the start of tomorrow’s game. Though Landon Donovan did not perform particularly well, he is already established as the U.S.’s most dangerous attacking player and is expected to start.