Czechs lead United States 2-0 at halftime

GELSENKIRCHEN, June 12 (Reuters) A superb long-range goal from Tomas Rosicky and an early header from Jan Koller gave the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead against the United States at halftime in their Group E match today.

Koller headed in a cross from Zdenek Grygera after five minutes at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen.

The Czechs continued to look more dangerous in attack and reaped their reward in the 36th minute with Rosicky's swerving strike from 25 metres out.

The United States' best chance to equalise came in the 28th minute when captain Claudio Reyna's strike hit the right post of Petr Cech's goal and just before the break scorer Koller was taken off with a hamstring injury.

REUTERS SY ND2242