I'm never going to try and persuade anyone that I am a soccer fan, as I find it hard to respect some of these players who get carried off on a stretcher, only to return minutes later and score a goal. This Thursday there will be a huge throng of Americans and Italians glued to the set as both their teams try and advance to the second round of the World Cup.

The Italians are sitting pretty with a win and a tie, but will be playing a Czech team that is fighting for their lives after a stunning loss to Ghana. Meanwhile the US will try and score a goal that actually comes off the foot of one of their players, when they play Ghana who is coming off that emotionally charged win against the Czech's.

Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari, who both scored in the Black Stars' stunning 2-0 win Saturday over the Czechs, will miss the U.S. game because each has received two yellow cards in the opening round. Still, Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic vows his team will be ready for the "crucial" matchup with the Americans.

If the Americans make the second round, they likely would face defending champion Brazil. And they'll have to play Ghana without the experience of defender Eddie Pope and midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, both suspended following their ejections Saturday.

Here's the problem folks! The US team has an overall record of 0-8-1 in World Cup games on European soil and have been outscored 25-5 in those games. The goal against the Italians came when Azzurri defender Cristian Zaccardo flubbed a clearance attempt into his own net.

If the US team wishes to prolong its stay then Landon Donovan had better get his scoring touch back his 25 international goals are third in U.S. history, behind Eric Wynalda (34) and Brian McBride (30), but he's been blanked in 17 national team games since last July 9 against Canada.

Play the under in the US/Ghana game!

Bob Acton

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