Czeched Out?

The first game for Team USA in the 2006 World Cup is underway and the underdog American squad is already down one-nil. You can follow all the "action" here. I guess the rumors that Paul Mirengoff was going to live blog the game were greatly exaggerated.

UPDATE: The Czechs strike again and now lead two-nil. In soccer, that usually amounts to an insurmountable lead.

UPDATE II: It's halftime and I can only imagine the sort of crappy Euro-tainment show that's on display. Odds are that it involves horrible music and people in garish animal costumes with creepy smiles.

UPDATE III: Sisyphus bravely attempted to live blog the game, but only lasted thirty-seven minutes before he collapsed on the floor. He was given an injection of hockey STAT and is reported to be in stable condition. After further treatment (watching tonight's Stanley Cup Game Four), he's expected to make a complete recovery.

UPDATE IV: Goooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll! The Czechs score again and are now blowing out the Americans three-nil. That's like getting beat 73-0 in real football. But the Americans do have a 56%-44% edge in ball possession. Are there moral victories in the World Cup?

UPDATE V: Mercifully, the game ends without further scoring. In many countries, such a crushing defeat would be regarded as a national disgrace and would be met with mourning, riots, and death threats against the players, coaches, and water boys. In the United States, the reaction of the average American can be best summarized in one word:

"Meh."