World Cup 2006 Team Profiles - Group E

I will be taking a team-by-team look at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Group E consists of the United States, who are ranked 5th in the FIFA World Rankings coming in. That is their highest ranking in history. However, they have to contend with the likes of Italy, a world-class team with high expectations and the talent to boot, and the high-scoring Czech Republic. Add first-time participant Ghana and we've got ourselves quite the group here.

Czeck Republic
World Cup Appearances: 9th Appearance; Last - 1990 (As Czechoslovakia)
Best Finish: Runners-up (1934, 1962)
Key Players: Pavel Nedved, MF; Jan Koller, F; Milan Baros, F

Notes:

They needed playoffs to secure their spot in Germany, but now that they are officially qualified, look out for the dangerous and high-powered offense that is the Czech Republic. They've got the talent and the will to score as often as they please, and they will be a tough match-up for many teams in Germany.

Qualifying was the trick, really. They finished second in their group behind the Netherlands, and with only 27 points they needed the playoff to secure their spot into the World Cup finals. Many people go back to their 2001 experience, where with a very talented team, they fell into a playoff situation and were not able to recover as they lost out to Belgium and did not qualify for the 2002 Finals.

The team that the Czechs will be fielding is one of high quality. They have the ability to score on you from almost anywhere on the pitch, and that can prove dangerous on the big stage. They've got forwards with a nose for the goal, and midfielders who are among the best in the world in pushing forwards into the attacking third. And if they can get up early on you with a quick goal, they are fully capable of sitting back and playing counterattack football, which they are deadly proficient playing.