America could be mathematically eliminated from World Cup competition by this weekend.
After a disastrous 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic, The Americans face a formidable Italian team on Saturday. Another lopsided setback could spell the end of the 2006 World Cup chase.
It was a final score that accurately reflected what transpired on this muggy day in the Ruhr Valley.
Through 11 games in four days, the United States is the only team to have lost by three goals.
“It was embarrassing,” forward Landon Donovan said, “and that shouldn’t happen.”
The U.S. team faces a daunting task to reach the second round: tying or beating group favorite Italy (1-0) on Saturday in Kaiserslautern and then defeating Ghana (0-1) on June 22 in Nuremberg. And a tie against Italy likely means the U.S. will need help on the last day of group play to advance.
