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Morocco Beats U.S. 1-0 in World Cup Warmup
While the Americans outshot Morocco 13-5, they generated only a few good scoring chances. The best opportunity came in the 82nd minute, when Landon Donovan's 25-yard shot was parried by goalkeeper Tarek El Jarmouni. With an open net, Eddie Johnson got little on the ball as he shanked the rebound. Bobby Convey then hit the side of the net on a 25-yard free kick in second-half injury time.
"We weren't sharp. I think we're a little bit leg-weary. We're a little bit overtrained at this point," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "We didn't do a good job creating chances. Our last pass was poor. Our crossing was poor."
  USA midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (4) falls as Moubarek Boussoufa (13) of Morocco steals the ball in the first half of their friendly soccer match on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 in Nashville, Tenn. The United States will play against Italy, Ghana, and the Czech Republic in Group E during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey - AP) Injuries and Fantasy   Zinedine Zidane could face disciplinary action Thursday for his head butt on Marco Materazzi. Brazil Coach Alberto Parreira quits following a disappointing World Cup. Zidane apologizes for his head butt during the final, saying he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. Italian soccer power Juventus is one of three teams demoted from Serie A to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal. Juergen Klinsmann resigns as Germany's coach after leading his native country to a third-place finish. France cheers on Zinedine Zidane but still wonders what provoked his head-butt. The 2006 World Cup had too many red cards and stoppages in play. Championship could help boost Italy's economy. Italian fans enjoy their country's World Cup title. The World Cup final television ratings are the best since 1994. Italy wins its fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 in only the second final decided by a shootout. After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment. Italian goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon finishes the World Cup not having allowed a goal from the other team in the run of play. MULTIMEDIAPost's Jon DeNunzio and Jason La Canfora review the championship game. XM Satellite Radio's Dave Johnson calls of the key moments in Italy's win. U.S. REPORT After eight years at the helm, Bruce Arena, pictured, will not be back as coach of the U.S. soccer team. Video: The challenges facing soccer in the United States and ways to improve its national standing. U.S. Soccer Federation president, Sunil Gulati, defends Coach Bruce Arena. Arena draws the ire of the MLS. Arena weighs his next move. Though a commercial success at home, the U.S. team's performance in Germany is a disappointment. The Americans are eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Ghana. » Match Report WORLD CUP JOURNAL The road has reached Germany, and Post staffers continue to keep you updated with the latest tidbits. Save & Share |
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His focus is the Americans' World Cup opener against the second-ranked Czech Republic on June 12.
"Though we weren't awful out there, there weren't a lot of guys who had great performances either," Donovan said.
A crowd of 26,141, many waving red, white and blue, came to The Coliseum, the largest attendance for a soccer game in Tennessee.
Cherundolo, who played right back in the first half, pushed up to midfield in the second as the United States switched from four midfielders to five. Brian McBride and Josh Wolff started up front, with Donovan behind them as an attacking midfielder.
Cory Gibbs started at left back in place of likely World Cup starter Eddie Lewis, who rejoined the team after playing Sunday for Leeds United in its playoff loss to Watford at Cardiff, Wales.
Midfielder John O'Brien, coming off a string of injuries, had several effective passes in the first half, then was replaced by Bobby Convey. DaMarcus Beasley, on the left wing, had a good two-way game, and Cherundolo made a number of penetrating runs.
Morocco did not qualify for the 32-nation World Cup field. Before leaving for Germany on June 1, the fifth-ranked United States faces two more teams that didn't make the tournament: No. 71 Venezuela on Friday in Cleveland and 70th-ranked Latvia on Sunday in East Hartford, Conn.
"It's a good wakeup call. You don't want to go into a tournament overconfident," Keller said. "This has kind of knocked us back. Now let's see if we grow in the next two games."