One Word to Sum up the United States' World Cup

The United came into this World Cup in Germany ranked #5 overall in the FIFA rankings. Naturally, there was plenty of backlash, and it soon became apparent that the FIFA rankings would not be a true unit of measurement in this World Cup. On paper, the United StatesCzech Republic match was slated to be one of the highlights of the first round, but it was not so. The US looked flat for 90 minutes, and the Czechs looked like they were primed to take the World Cup. The Czechs won 3nil, leaving the United States to wonder what had gone wrong in their opener. The US had to think of a solution fast, because the Italian team, fresh with a 2nil win over Ghana in the first round, were ready for the Americans. After the Czech loss, this became a nolose situation for the Americans if they wished to advance on to the second round of the World Cup Finals. Italy struck first, but the United States bounced back to even the score on an owngoal by Italian defender Cristian Zaccardo. Later in the game, Daniele De Rossi of Italy was issued a red card for elbowing Brian McBride in the face, giving the US a oneman advantage, but this, too, was shortlived, as two American players were later ejected, giving Italy a 109 advantage for nearly the entire second half. The United States managed to hold on, however, managing a tie against the European powerhouse, and living another day. The US was still dead last in points due to the Ghana defeat of the Czech Republic, but the US was in no way out. They faced the same Ghana team today (Thursday, June 22) in a performance that looked strikingly familiar to the team that played the Czech Republic in the opening game. The US was flat. Fishy officiating has been a plague throughout the World Cup, and it was examplified in this match, as in the 47th* minute in the first half, Ghana got a penalty kick opportunity off of a ghost foul inside the Americans' box. Ghana drilled the penalty kick to make the game 21, and that was the final outcome of the game. The officials cannot be blamed for the result, however. The Americans looked good in only one game in this World Cup Finals round, and that only managed them a tie against Italy. The United States underachieved in a huge way after having such large aspirations. The US walked in with a swagger and they walk out with their tails in between their legs, embarassed. This was a pitiful showing by a great football club. So, all in all there is one word to sum up the Americans' World Cup, and it can be taken one of manytways: Lifeless.