USA
U.S. Opponents Announce Rosters
By Shane Killian
May 15, 2006
Francesco Totti will lead the Italians.
All 32 nations competing in the World Cup were required to announce their 23 man rosters today. Roster changes can only be made in the case of injury prior to the start of the tournament. Here's a look at the teams that will face the United States in the first round.
Czech Republic
The U.S. will meet the Czech Republic in their opening game on June 12. The veteran squad has had injury problems leading up to the tournament but big striker Jan Koller is now healthy and will lead the attack along with superstar Pavel Nedved.
Czech Republic Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Jaromir Blazek, Petr Cech, Antonin Kinsky
DEFENDERS: Zdenek Grygera, Marek Jankulovski, Martin Jiranek, Radoslav Kovac, Pavel Mares, David Rozehnal, Tomas Ujfalusi
MIDFIELDERS: Tomas Galasek, David Jarolim, Pavel Nedved, Jaroslav Plasil, Karel Poborsky, Jan Polak, Tomas Rosicky, Vladimir Smicer
FORWARDS: Milan Baros, Marek Heinz, Jan Koller, Vratislav Lokvenc, Jiri Stajner
Italy
On June 17, in one of the most anticipated games of the group phase, the U.S. will take on Italy. The Italians are always strong defensively and feature perhaps the world's top goalkeeper in Gianluigi Buffon. Italy is also loaded offensively with Francesco Totti, Luca Toni and Filippo Inzaghi leading the attack.
Italy Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Gianluigi Buffon, Angelo Peruzzi, Marco Amelia
DEFENDERS: Massimo Oddo, Cristian Zaccardo, Marco Materazzi, Andrea Barzagli, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Grosso
MIDFIELDERS: Mauro Camoranesi, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi, Simone Barone, Francesco Totti
FORWARDS: Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Filippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta
Ghana
Ghana will be the final U.S. opponent in the group phase when they meet on June 22. The Africans have named a young and relatively inexperienced squad for Germany. Ghana is led by midfielders Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien.
Ghana Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Sammy Adjei, Richard Kingston, George Owu
DEFENDERS: Eric Addo, Issah Ahmed, Shilla Alhassan Illiasu, Samuel Osei Kuffour, John Mensah, Habib Mohammed, John Painstil, Emmanuel Pappoe, Daniel Quaye, Hans Sarpei
MIDFIELDERS: Otto Addo, Stephen Appiah, Derek Boateng, Haminu Dramani, Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari
FORWARDS: Matthew Amoah, Asamoah Gyan, Razak Pimpong, Alex Tachie-Mensah