2006年VOA标准英语-US Soccer Team Set to Play Italy at World Cup

By Parke Brewer¹
Cologne
16 June 2006

The U.S. Soccer team will try to bounce back from its opening 3-0 (Group E) loss to the Czech Republic at the World Cup. But as VOA Sports Editor Parke Brewer reports from Germany, it will not be easy.

------------------------------------------

US defender² Oguchi Onyewu during training in Norderstedt, Germany, June 15, 2006  
  

The U.S. soccer team was not expected to win its opening match at this World Cup to a Czech team ranked second in the World. But followers³ certainly expected a better performance than what the Americans showed in their 3-0 loss.

A reporter for the International Herald⁴ Tribune used these words to describe the U.S. effort: bland⁵, artless and empty.

For a team that has eight losses in eight matches in World Cups held in Europe, the U.S. will have to try to break that string against a strong Italian side that beat Ghana, 2-0 in the other Group E opener.

U.S. coach Bruce Arena⁶ said the Italian team has a lot of talent.

"This team has great strikers," he said. "There's no question about it, and a bunch of good players, obviously. Their team is primarily comprised of players from Juventus and AC Milan, two of the great clubs in the world. They have great players."

But coach Arena believes his players will up for the task.

"This is a World Cup. This is not, you know, club soccer, whatever," he said. "This is the moment to shine and step up and show what youre about. And I think that our players are ready to respond and give a good effort."

World Cup fan Francesco Padura, right, with a friend  
  
Italian fan Francesco Padura, who has a ticket for the match, told VOA he respects the U.S. team but is sure his side will win.

"Athletically⁷ the United States is very good and I think we have to mark their attackers and play our typical, usual play," he said. "I mean we play defense⁸ and we go on the attack with a good midfield. I'm very, very excited. Come on Azurri! Come on Italia! Were going to win the World Cup!

After the U.S. team's loss to the Czechs, Coach Arena said he would make some changes for the match against Italy, but he does not announce his starting line-ups until shortly before each game.

 
US midfielder Ben Olsen, left, tries to hold defender Chris Albright back as they warm up during training in Norderstedt, Germany 
  
Whichever American players are on the field in Kaiserslautern against Italy, they know anything less than a win will probably mean they will have no chance to reach the second round, even if they were to beat Ghana in the final Group E match next Thursday.

1 brewer   

n. 啤酒制造者

参考例句：

• Brewer is a very interesting man. 布鲁尔是一个很有趣的人。
• I decided to quit my job to become a brewer. 我决定辞职，做一名酿酒人。

2 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

3 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

4 herald   

vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎

参考例句：

• In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。
• Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。

5 bland   

adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的

参考例句：

• He eats bland food because of his stomach trouble.他因胃病而吃清淡的食物。
• This soup is too bland for me.这汤我喝起来偏淡。

6 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

7 athletically   

adv.竞赛地，运动比赛地，具运动员风范地

参考例句：

• Tall, athletically built, but with a slight, shy stoop to his shoulders. 高个子，运动员身材，但有点轻微的水蛇腰。 来自互联网
• She does not hate sports on TV, she is athletically biased. 她不讨厌体育频道，只是对运动有些偏见。 来自互联网

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。