By DAN KARELL
New Czech Republic manager Pavel Vrba has called in an experienced squad for his side’s two September matches.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky headline a 20-man squad that will take on the U.S. Men’s National Team on Wednesday in Prague before hosting the Netherlands in their first UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match on Sept. 9. Both matches will take place at the Generali Arena, at the home of Sparta Prague.
Other players of note in the squad are Hamburg midfielder Petr Jiráček, Freiburg midfielder Vladimír Darida, and Fenerbahce defender Michel Kadlec. Vrba selected two uncapped players to the squad, goalkeeper David Bičík and defender Radim Řezník
The Czech Republic is currently ranked 35th in FIFA’s World Rankings, and are the 22nd best nation within UEFA. The Czech Republic made it to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 but failed to qualify for each of the last two World Cups.
Here’s a look at the Czech Republic squad for their upcoming matches:
CZECH REPUBLIC SQUAD FOR USMNT AND NETHERLANDS MATCHES
GOALKEEPERS (3): Petr Čech (Chelsea), Tomáš Vaclík (FC Basilej), David Bičík (Sparta Prague)
DEFENDERS (7): Radim Řezník, Václav Procházka, David Limberský (All Viktoria Plzeň), Pavel Kadeřábek (Sparta Prague), Michal Kadlec (Fenerbahce), Marek Suchý (FC Basilej), Daniel Pudil (FC Watford)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Milan Petržela, Daniel Kolář, Tomáš Hořava, Václav Pilař (All Viktoria Plzeň), Vladimír Darida (SC Freiburg), Petr Jiráček (SV Hamburger), Bořek Dočkal, Ladislav Krejčí (All Sparta Prague), Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal)
FORWARD (1): Jan Vydra (FC Watford).
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What do you think of this squad? Like that the young U.S. National Team players will have a chance to test themselves against an experienced side?
Share your thoughts below.
So the USMNT is playing against Viktoria Plzen?
The czechs must be rebuilding.
Czech’s have been rebuilding since 2006.
Is this a Czech team with most of its regulars? I’m surprised they don’t have more players from outside their domestic league.
Only one forward? And I thought we were hard up
We’re not hard up at forward….just banged up at the moment.
Jozy, Boyd, Johannsson, Agudelo, Green, Rubin, Gyau, Arriola, will all be in contention for Striker/Winger selection for the US team when qualification begins. Add in the potential for some duel nationals (like Parker & Nagbe) and the US Attack suddenly looks to be a strength compared to what we’ve had to choose from in the past.
Greatest concern still remains the Defense of this team. Chandler, Yedlin, Brooks, Besler, & Gonzalez are still a work in progress, and need reps together. Lichaj, Ream, Ferrell, & Packwood should add depth….but until they really start jelling it will continue to be a concern.
Midfield has a good cornerstone to build off of (Bradley) as long as he’s played in his best position (CDM or Box-to-Box CM). Jones, Williams, Edu, Torres are good enough for now, and there are some good prospects coming up. Zusi & Bedoya are good enough for most of CONCACAF…but we’ll need some better wing options in the future.
For a second I was wondering since when there was an “All” in front of “Viktoria Plzeň”
Being a Czech American, I am very excited about this friendly. Hoping for an exciting match without injuries.
The banner pic makes Cech and Rosicky look like some kind of Czech comedy duo.
Jeezy Creezy, that’s some funny monty python shizzle. Laugh hard with the observation.
Ha jesus i just spat my soda out… so true… straight up monty python…
Rosicky is a good one for Hyndman to play against.
I thought Rosicky had retired from Int’l soccer?
Same here