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only 8.5 hours to go…my nervousness is growing

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The headline in my local paper today is “Will U.S. team say arrivederci?”

All I could think in reply was: I fucking hope so! Get the fuck out of that stupid tournament and leave this stupid game to all the non-english speaking 3rd world countries that can only afford a dirt field and a ball…instead of real sports.

DEMPSEY IS IN!

I am now 100% more excited to watch this (though I would have been excited no matter what). It is rare that Arena makes a good decision, but this was a good lineup. I also think Johnson is better off the bench although I don’t necessarily agree with the 4-5-1.

What a cultured comment.

At any rate…with the Ghana win, this group could turn out to be awesome. A USA win would send it spinning.

Stephan. Why are you not only reading but also commenting on a World Cup Blog if that’s how you feel. Truly a waste of life.

ha ha, I heard that, too, Daryl. Top quality.

Stephan, shut the fuck up you moron.

Anyway, it’s highly unlikely for the US to even get a draw in this game. And I love how that idiot Arena was made to eat his words once again- “We will beat Ghana”. Ghana is the 2nd strongest team in the group. Good luck beating them next week.

You know what, Stephen? The U.S. does not need to be the best at everything. The world loathes us because we seem to project a view of dominating superiority. Soccer is a fine sport and its value shouldn’t be diminished by your lame comment.

Go Italy! :) 3-0, Italy.

Group E is the real group of death.

Dempsey in- awesome!

Let’s go USA!

Let’s go ITALY! Send US home crying!

This Giorgio guy is such an idiot; it’s hilarious.

I think this Jey guy is onto something. USA sucks they shouldnt be ranked 5th, come italy, YOUR CHICKS ARE HOTTER THEN THEIRS!

Don’t pay attention the Stephan. He is just trying to bait you into a tired and moot debate. He can watch Lawn Mower Racing or Girl’s Figure Skating for all we should care.
Football is an unstopable force and the World Cup is the most entertaining and exciting sporting event there is. If people like him cannot appreciate that, we don’t need to convert them. Just feel some pity for them.

“I think this Jey guy is onto something”

Yes, he really is onto something. Is there anyone else in the world who thinks Italy will win? Not sure; it’s a pretty novel position.

And Brazil, Argentina, and Sweden all have hotter women than Italy. ;p

Diego and Stephan….LET’s GET IT ON!

LOGIC 101:

[Lets see if vruce arena and landon donoban can follow this]:

If Italy did beat Ghana 2-0
and if the Czechs did beat USA 3-0, and if Ghana just beat Czech Rep 2-0… that most probably means that Italy will kill USA [and their "war" smack]

And if the US boyz just finished watching the Ghana match few minutes ago vs the Czechs, they most likely are developing some diarreah as I’m typing this just 38 minutes before they face a bunch of dudes in blue shirts.

What a grim future for landon and his big ego.

With all due respect to Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana surely looked like the best African team in the tournament.

And, Bidemi, after seeing CZE today, I’d agree in saying that they are second best team in the group. CZE without Koller and Baros, and playing against a very fast, technically-skilled squad, looked like a second-rate team – not the world’s second-best.

What does that say about the US?

But, I’m still hopeful.

This is a golden opportunity for the U.S. With the Ghana win, they actually have a shot at the second round now. They’ll have to play a lot better than they did against the Czechs, though.

I would sincerely hope that the US team was NOT watching TV before their game! :o

Prediction time:

Italia: 3
USofA: big ZERO

Stephen, first of all Football is the most watched sport in the world. And seriously, you might need to think about the fact, that those teams you described as “third world”.. the ones kicking a ball about on a dirt field… well, lets face it, most of them are about ten times better than the US.. the richest country in the world… so shut up you arrogant, patronising moron. I’m sure you’d change your tune if the US won the world cup.

Actually not trying to bait anyone. Just commenting on my newspapers headline and my attitude that this “sport” needs to be extinguished from the landscape of the USA. If I were to ever go to a local park and find anyone playing it that spoke english I might have a different attitude…but I doubt it,…I still think it’s a useless waste of a field.

US 2 Italy 1.

But this is only because I’m a US fan. I would never bet one penny based on that prediction, but I am hopeful. :D

People like Stephen denigrate soccer, its players and its fans *because* the US doesn’t dominate the game. If the US were good at it, you’d better believe Stephen would be shoving it in everyone’s face.

Just ignore the trolls.

EDU – you are the man, i bet their asses are exploding as we speak.

My fellow Americans…….

Can you stop playing of Ghana’s success for a moment? Because Ghana beat the Czechs does not automatically mean we will beat the Italians. And we’ve seen how well the Italians played against Ghana, and we’ve also seen how well Ghana played against the Czechs. And we’ve seen how well the Czechs played against us. So please, stop jumping to conclusions.

That said, I am shocked to see a lone striker yet again! Although the bright side is that we have 4 attack-minded midfielders. Let’s see how this match ends up.

GO USA, and I wont usually say so but if the USA win (by 1-0 or 2-0) then all Czechs need is a draw!

Watching on ABC, but listening on the radio to Andres Cantor, the man who made GOOOOOOOOALLL famous on Univision in the past. He’s great.

As for our line-up, I am shocked not to see Johnson in.

Dempsey in the line-up is going to generate some excitement, but I don’t know if he’ll be up to world-class defending.

I love McBride work and effort. He leads by example, but he needs help scoring. If someone doesn’t give McBride any service, then we’d just as soon not have him in. Convey and Lewis had better be on target.

Speaking of Lewis, I don’t think that he’ll be up to world-class striking.

I love watching and supporting the US, but I just don’t see us getting anything better than a draw – if that.

Dempsey’s defense is poor, but his offense compensates for that.

I’m saying USA 1- Italy 1

I think we’ll cause the Italians some problems, we’re quicker and better with the ball to our feet, their taller, and more physical. It’ll be interesting.

… but they won’t of course!! hahahaha!! C’Mon England!! :-)

Amazing to think that if USA wins today by 4 goals they would be in first place of this group, having said that I really really very really doubt that hell is freezing over anytime soon [iykwim]

I stand on my prediction:

The Pope 3
George W 0

Anyone know where I can listen to the game online? I am at work.

I’ll have the match on ABC…

…but considering their HUGE graphics package, the length of time that they leave the graphics up, and the very inappropriate timing of the graphics, I won’t be watching much of the game.

I really really want the USA to win…but I am doing an ESPN online pool and definitely have my money on Italy by 2 goals.

The USA has improved tremendously, but we are in a real group of death. Maybe if we played Korea, Switzerland (or France) and Togo we’d have fared better

Can you stop playing of Ghana’s success for a moment? Because Ghana beat the Czechs does not automatically mean we will beat the Italians. And we’ve seen how well the Italians played against Ghana, and we’ve also seen how well Ghana played against the Czechs. And we’ve seen how well the Czechs played against us. So please, stop jumping to conclusions.

Just what are you saying by this? The only point being made, by my reading, is that anybody can beat anybody else if they play well. There’s no one saying that because GHA beat CR, therefore the US will beat ITA, only people saying that it’s possible IF they play well.

I just hope for game more entertaining than the last. Heck, even a tie or a tight loss would be fine by me. Enough talk already…

Fightin’ Phils’ Sal Fasano is for Italia.
So..I’m for Italia.
3-0 for Italy and at least a bakers dozen operatic dives by the theatrical Azzuri. A fluttering of yellow cards for all.

Oops… Mistyped that…. Bidemi didn’t say this, I did, addressing Bidemi:

[snip]
Can you stop playing of Ghana’s success for a moment? Because Ghana beat the Czechs does not automatically mean we will beat the Italians. And we’ve seen how well the Italians played against Ghana, and we’ve also seen how well Ghana played against the Czechs. And we’ve seen how well the Czechs played against us. So please, stop jumping to conclusions.[/snip]

Just what are you saying by this? The only point being made, by my reading, is that anybody can beat anybody else if they play well. There’s no one saying that because GHA beat CR, therefore the US will beat ITA, only people saying that it’s possible IF they play well.
I just hope for game more entertaining than the last. Heck, even a tie or a tight loss would be fine by me. Enough talk already…

All the US fans should expect is an all out effort from their team. Even if they lose. This team owes at least that much to their fans for their loyalty.
I am hoping for a good game, but I don’t see how the US can win. Sorry.

Ouch -
Nice prediction, but the Pope is Geman.

Douche…

I wouldn’t say that was the group of death ETucker. I think group C would be the worst group. I have a sneaky feeling Argentina will win in the end.

Not too look ahead too soon, but:

If the US can get a result here and keep people out of card-trouble, Ghana’s squad will be missing a couple of key players, notably their goal scores against the US.

Hope springs eternal.

Hey- the guy who posted under my name..

I was refering to all the sophomric comments in the Ghana-USA live weblog. People started saying that this means we’d beat the Italians.

Is there a way I can listen to the game online, I have to work. ARG!!!

Just to shut up Arena, I hope that the US scores first and then the italians come back and beat them 2 or 3 to 1.
What excuse will you use then Bruce???

My bad dude. I put the wrong thing in the wrong box.

Yeah… That’s a bad conclusion to draw. It might be “inspirational”, but it will really come down to the 22 guys in K-Town.

Off to get some additional liquid refreshments. It’s hot as hell here on the East Coast. Hope it’s still Nil-Nil when I return.

Hope we all agree as this game’s commenters not to be excessively cruel to each other.

No ragging on anybody!?! O.k.?

to all those in with the little thai flag…are you guys watchin the game in the thai channel???….personally this is killing me…i feel stupid and useless

I would love a USA to win because this group then would have a simply amazing third round. But my money is on Italy 2-0 USA.
Stephan, I think baseball is not a sport. but if you and many americans have fun playing it, well, it’s your business, not mine.
But I never bothered going to baseball related sites. I’d consider it a waste of my time.

to listen top the game online, try this link:

http://clients.mediaondemand.net/theSun/?Channel=1

quite good analysis and insight – warning: it won’t be USA biased if thats what you are looking for.

Prediction time again:

Heavy yellow card trouble for the US boyz and I hope landon and his big mouth get the red one so he can watch the Ghana game form the stands next Thursday with “the people”.

Eric,

I’ve heard there is online commentary here:

http://clients.mediaondemand.net/theSun/?Channel=1

Can’t vouch for it though

Mason,

Please pay no attention to the trolls. I find it’s easier just to skip ouch’s posts altogether, because they never offer any serious comment, just stuff to rile people up.

Joanna Smith,

I agree that Argentina has been appropriately tipped as a favorite to win it all. However, after two matches, given the relative strengths of all the teams in the groups, I think that Group E is definitely the toughest.

I think that ITA is comparable to ARG and CZE is comparable to NED; however, I think that GHA is more complete than CIV, and USA is more complete than SCG.

Beat me to it Diego! Sorry, didn’t see it.

Re. ABC/ESPN coverage: it’s not for you – that is, for anyone who follows, plays, coaches, supports football/soccer, the coverage will disappoint. The network sees its job as explaining an inpenetrably unAmerican sport to Americanos. Why they choose to do so with self-avowed ignoramuses like David “I just tell the stories” O’Brien is beyond comprehension. But the flaccid commentary of Marcelo Balboa and his kindred erstwhile National Teammates similarly defies comprehension. Makes one almost, but not quite, miss the tediously tendentious Shameless Seamus Malin and actually wish for the barely comprehensible Tommy Smith.

The broadcasters are trying to find the line between commentary that seems “knowing” and calls that baffle,and thus alientate, soccer novitiates. It’s a tough line to locate, and many will be unhappy on either side of the divide.

Univision is a solution. If you were at the match, you wouldn’t have Dave O’Brien whispering in your ear. You’d puzzle over who was touching the ball, over who that outstanding libero is, etc. So the enthusiastic spanish commentary, which frequently simply calls out names – “Riquelme…Messi…Riquelme…Crespo…” is as good as it can get for most of us.

But Dave O’Brien is unforgivable.

GO ITALY!!!!!!!!

come on Italy do it for the PIZZA!

No Eddie Johnson? He was the only one that played with any passion in the first match. Chalk up another loss.

I’ve been thinking about the US team and have concluded that they were basically lucky in 2002. Yes, they played with enthusiasm, but the caught Portugal napping or they wouldn’t have gone through. Then they are fortunate to get Mexico, a team they’re very familiar with. They were unlucky against an average Germany in the quarters, otherwise they COULD have made a run at the final. Amazing, if you think about it. Their form coming into this tournament was average, so in some respects, the Czech outcome was not surprising. While the players showed little spirit, I place the blame squarely on the coaching. Where was the intervention to what was happening on the field? Everytime they panned to Arena, he’s sitting there doing nothing.

I have no idea what’s going to happen today. If they’re going with a 4-1-4-1 formation, I read that to mean that they’ll be cautiously attacking in their play. The big thing for me, and the glaring difference with last time, was the lack of foot-speed by our guys. I can’t recall seeing one side get to so many loose balls as the Czechs did. Shameful.

Ghana opened the door for the US today, hopefully our guys are up for something special. A draw is mandatory, a win all the better. I don’t know if they have it in them, but they’ll certainly need to be on their game to a man for 90 minutes. Italy is too sound to let many mistakes or lack of initiative go unpunished.

Will be interesting, unfortunately the White Sox are in town for a series with the Reds, so I’ll be at the ballpark and will have to watch this match on tape. Give ‘em hell USA!

We’ll see in a few minutes if Italy is for real and can be placed in the same sentence as Argentina. Ghana showed significant scoring deficiencies, especially in the second half, when the Czech defense was wide open. I would still give the edge to Cote d’Ivor.

Lets go Italy Ill love you long time if you win!

That link is just a repeating cast of the Czech – Ghana match.

A good thing about the ESPN announcers is that many of you is having some intensive course on spanish with univision. spanish is important in your country!
here I’m putting the dutch channels to see if I learn something also.

why are the us on the ranking list

that good? 5´th place .

i don´t get it.

The ABC annoucers suck ass. Good think im in Canada and I can watch it on other channels with better announcers!

Would give anything to be walking out there with them…Lucky kids.

I made you watch Cajun Nick!!

“ouch ouch ouch” means an ouch per score in the last game and in this one as well.

Hahaha oh boy looks like the Trolls only seem to appear during the US game. :D

Gotta love the inane comments of some people.

This’ll be an interesting game.

look how tight the US looks as they stand there in the tunnel, Reyna particularly….contrast that with the Italians….I sense a rout, just from that. I hope I’m wrong but….

Cajun,
Usually I do, but factual errors like that annoy me. If your gonna troll, troll like you mean it. :-P

…im stuck with hearin the games in thai! :)

i’m in switzerland but would really like to hear english rather than german commentary. Anywhere online I can try??

did y’all see the Italian fan in his skivvies? One way to handle the heat I suppose…

Yay! They’re playing Inno di Mameli now… Go Italy! :D

guy in italian underwear singing the anthem??? LOL

why are so many of the USA team not singing? not a very good show of patriotism..

If Italy did beat Ghana 2-0
and if the Czechs did beat USA 3-0, and if Ghana just beat Czech Rep 2-0… that most probably means that Italy will kill USA [and their “war” smack]

And therefore, 0-0.

I don’t think I’ve seen an accurate prediction in a game thread yet. Everyone said 2-0 Mexico yesterday. It was 2-1 Czechs this morning.

All along I felt the US could muster 4 points out of this group but would be going home. I’m sticking to that.

Let’s play beautiful American Soccer! You know! Defend to the death until we’re limp, lifeless, and humiliated by a more talented squad of football players.

Too sexy!!! Go USA!!!!!

Jen: Download the player at http://www.sopcast.com and watch Dream Sattelite TV’s World Cup coverage. Go!

Bruce Arena looks rather “preocupied” they just did an extreme close up on his face, the dude is not good looking at all!

Because Americans don’t sing their anthem at sporting events.

Sam’s Army doing that is the lone exception.

Jen don’t bother dwl’ding crap off the internet like that. You never know how it may have spyware and what not.

Instead use what the rest of us here are using.

http://clients.mediaondemand.net/theSun/?Channel=1

Commentary from The Sun.

Ali rooting for USA?

ABC still blabbing with their huge graphics and did not even notice game had started for first eleven seconds…Viva Univision!!

landon don’t use your hands dude!!

See this match LIVE… in ASCII:

http://www.herrodius.com/blog/?p=48

With that said, here’s to hope we’ll see a good match and trolls won’t come out of the wood just for this game.

Hey Dino! Knew you’d be here…skippin’ work? ;)

Support the US? As the underdogs yes. But from a Football fanatics view. No.

The US in white… They’re 0-3 in WC matches wearing blue and something like 2-0-2 in white. Do anyone know if it’s true?

I am torn. I am from the USA but part of me feels like a Cup advancement would be “wasted” on a country that doesn’t care much about soccer, except while their kids are in school playing it in leagues and they can watch in lawn chairs with the other mommies.

I would like to see an underdog win…am still ecstatic over the incredible Ghana upset…so can’t really decide about this game.

Don’t worry Ze, they’ll be running all around this site soon…the power of google has its backlashs.

Tuany you got to be kidding!!!!lol

Guggywuugy – US is 5th rated because they play in CONACAF against inferior competition and generally defeat poorer Central American sides. Hence they rack up points for victories and goals. They have difficulty against European and the better South American sides (but they’ve defeated Brazil and have defeated Mexico in Mexico City, which never happens).

Oh boy! Oh boy! I think I smell hamburgers cooking! This is going to be a slaughter!
5-0 to Italy!

yellow already??

Totti booked. What a surprise.

Trish, I can understand how you feel. Too bad the soccer moms aren’t out in force. :P

yellow would look nice on Toti’s blue :)

Any other Italian Americans severely conflicted out there?

Ali I’m still at work so I might have to come and go hope to be here lmost of the game tho GO USA!!!

Nope, no spyware Ali. And its live streaming video in full color too. ;)

Oh man Dino! Work on a Saturday? Ah jeez! Hehehe. So you’re supporting the US? Ok. :D

Once again. Live British commentary audio stream from The Sun that alot of us are using on this board. Enjoy!

http://clients.mediaondemand.net/theSun/?Channel=1

No Dino I wasn’t kidding… I read last week (on Sports Illustrated, I think) the US is 0-3 when wearing blue. The guy even said maybe it’s time to retire blue, haha…

But they haven’t lost wearing white (or white & red)… I just don’t remember the record.

Onyewu, play futbal not football

Azzurri seem rather needlessly to be looking long early, quickly surrending ball. Why not build up?

LOL! You can’t imagine how many times I just had to clear my system from spyware yesterday while I was looking for some nice streams. Bad luck on my end I guess.

why is the US running AWAY from the ball?

Kewl txs but it’s all I can do to hide from my boss that I’m blogging…

“I am torn. I am from the USA but part of me feels like a Cup advancement would be “wasted” on a country that doesn’t care much about soccer, except while their kids are in school playing it in leagues and they can watch in lawn chairs with the other mommies.”

Trish, you hate America and support the terrorists. Get on the damn bandwagon and go off the cliff with the rest of us.

Dino, wouldn’t your boss like to hear or watch the game him/herself? ;) Maybe even a chance at being promoted by showing him/her this?

dw there are lots of soccer fans in the US adults not just kids

wow abc announcers are stupid, that was a clear foul

LOL dw…Yeah, if I root for someone else the terrorists win right?

Nice run, no support. But we get a kick.

Offside…

Wow. Italy looks like they’ve been partying out too long. Oh and a foul near the box? Tsk tsk. Come on Italy don’t fall like the Tower of Pisa!

not a great kick from the US

Oh boy.. this is gonna be a good game.

Just switched from ABC to Univision. I can’t take this crap commentating anymore!

Convey needs to relax.

crowd sounding more into it now..

the boyz in white can’t find the basket or the goalpost in the other end of their field…

I think the USAs tactic is full on attack on Italy for the 1st half. Italy didn’t expect this of course…danger of the USA burning out before the 2nd half.

is abc afraid to mispronounce? we just switched over and they aren’t using names, referred to “the Italian defender”..

I’m torn too. I support the US side but the US supporters give off weird vibes, kinda like the minutemen I saw marching in downtown LA this morning.

US playing damn well.

There are “soccer moms” here, you know. I missed the end of the Ghana-Czech game because of my son’s soccer game. No need to put us down :)

my fear is that italy will be able to counterattack, if the US gets too aggressive

Anybody know how good the Italian keeper is ?

tears of joy….the US looks so much better than against CR

Dempey is doing great, passing, kicking, running… I’d be that he’s gonna be involved in a goal somehow.

amazing how many people in Qatar are on this blog!..anyone else surprised by this :)

A lot of American players seem to be very unsure of what to do, where to be, where to go, though slightly better than their first game. Wake up and think, and start moving! Like just now. What’s the point of just letting Italians pass at their convenience? Stuff them!

man I wish usa lots to czech 1-0 instead of 3-0 something tells me goal differential will be decisive in this gruop

“LOL dw…Yeah, if I root for someone else the terrorists win right?”

Indeed. Freedom isn’t free. Remember, the goal is to win the Cup one day and make all the doubters and trolls shut up. Only 20 years away, I think.

45-55 ball possesion in favor of the Americans. This doesn’t look like too much like the team that lost to the Czechs…

Hehehe whoops now I gotta watch what I say!

*looks at the Soccer Mums*

Let’s see if the US can eke out a point, as they’re likely to collaps pretty soon.

gooooaaaallllll

Americans playing a very physical game.

the italians are playing as though they’ve been paid out to make it interesting

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL

See, the shoes are coming off already.

oh NO NO NO NO

Floppy SOBs

well. a goal is interesting.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!..

Italians score off a beautiful flop.

GO ITALY JOGA BONITO!!111

? what

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!! :D

It’s ok Ali. I guess I’m not a full-fledged soccer mom because I don’t drive a minivan.

italy 1 USA o

eddie pope playing offside trap? hand up from the kick?

ITALY=FLOPPING WORLD CHAMPIONS.

Trish:

Just checking out your blog. Nice Work. I hope that, in some small way, makes up for going 1-0 down.

Great…is this going to be the US as Ivory Coast, and Italy as Netherlands?

correct me if I’m wrong but it was “the other” team that scored correct?? [just want to make sure]

Ali I can’t stand it I’m signing off see ya later!!!

LOL! Thanks Jen! ;)

Italy leads! 1-0! Bravo!

yeah really bad defense by USa

Gotta start up the violins!

Oh my…magic spray for the butt? :o

Well, at least we got 20 minutes of excellent attacking play out of the US in this Cup.

Goal for 2010: 270 minutes, minimum.

US needs to score quickly for confidence sake.

was goal their frist shot on goal by the italians??….is it just me or did the italianos score quite effortelessly and without breakin a sweat……

Even Mexico has points! Arena is so nervous he doesn’t seem to be watching the match.

Dino, your leaving? Well, come back as soon as you can…if not I’ll see you tomorrow, eh?

Cannavaro gets a kick from his own goalkeeper. lol

Thx Trapper.

How quickly do y’all think that goal willbe answered? Or will it?

not promising stat showing, when US gets scored first, it goes 0-14-1… Keep fighting US and get rid of that 0!

Goooooal by the US!

1-1!!!

GOAL!!!!!!

i would prefer Homey Dance to the violin

GGOOOAAALLL!1

THE GAME IS TIED!!! YEEEEEEEEES

Unbelievable. Zaccardo looking like he’d never let McBride get a touch, and he didn’t.

GOOOOOOOOooooiooooollLllll

Eat it.

WOOOOO!!!

Own goal, but they all count the same…

w00t!!!!!!

Auto-Gol is the only thing going for them!

Trish:

I didn’t think it would be that quick!!

And 10 men. The Italians can’t complain about that, there’s blood everywhere.

What. Was. That.

GOOOAAAALLLL

those own goals have to hurt…

Italy needs to start flopping more; get back into their game plan.

un regalito de italia!

Italy scored AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn! That ball just bounced off his leg and into the goal.

Red card!

One all!

lol, it’s not going pretty well for Italy right now..

Red card on Italy… Geeeez, this game is interesting already and it’s not even 1/2 hour yet

Unbelievable.

Gracias para el autogol.

It’s WAR!

NA NA NA NAAAA
NA NA NA NAAAA
NA NA NA NAAAA
HEY HEY HEY GOOD BYE!!!!

dos regalitos! merry xmas USA!

RED CARD!!1 Italians=cheapest team in the WC. What a disgrae. OMG MCBRIDE IS BLEEDING LIKE CRAZY.

Italy score again, but into the wrong net

Mohan? Homey Dance by Italy? For Sooth!

Wow, good decision to sent him off. Pretty violent hit, lots of blood.

ITALY=DISGRACE TO FOOTBALL.

Criminal elbow!

Oh man. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Then he’s all “What, who ME?”

Now it’s starting to turn! If the us doesn’t win, they are true chumps. What a cheap shot on McBride!

mcbride is a beast!

Well-deserved red card. That was a nasty elbow.

Ooh… loks like the right elbow into McBride’s face…

this is going to be a good game!!!!!!!…..italy Vs. them selves…..

Ho ho HO…!

Daryl – no, you aren’t biased. That was totally blatant.

Wow what a cheap shot by that itie. Shows what kind of players the US needs, we are too nice. Be nasty like this shows how Europeans really are. They score on themselves and then they turn around and assault you.

Pathetic Italians.

Oooooh! Italy looks like it’s still playing with their old style of swinging their elbows around. Definitely a well deserved red card…that type of action deserves no place in Football.

they should keep him out for more than one game. COMPLETELY uncalled for. Blatant.

“this is going to be a good game!!!!!!!…..italy Vs. them selves…..”

lol it’s true

Daryl, you’re not being biased.. he deserved that. At first I was surprised by how serious the referee was with a red card before yellow, I had the impression USA players were just feigning and it wasn’t serious, but when I saw the replay I saw DeRossi actually meant to hit him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was suspended by FIFA for the reminder of this WC (if Italy gets past the group stage).

Keller is not the beacon of confidence he once was.

Sebastian, that is exactly what I was thinking! Looks like the Italians are going to damage themselves if they keep acting like this!

Now I’m hoping the US makes it through if not for the cheap shot by the Italians so far but also by their attacks right now.

US doesn’t play very precisely, do they? First touch, control is general not up to world standard. Slo-mo replay of del Rossi elbow pretty brutal, and gratuitous as well. Clearly an effort to sideline McBride, the one proven finisher.

do you suck cock everyday or just during the world cup?
COME ON ITALIA

Okay, that elbow to the face snapped me out of my ambivalence. USA USA USA USA USA.

it is not the team’s fault that futbal does not get the attention it deserves here in US…Playing on after a blow like that is the mark of a true champion.

“He should get a five or six-match ban for that.”….BBC commentator on Daniele De Rossi

pope with yellow card and not playing well, take him out at half and make sure u avoid a red

I have been enjoying your live blog for the last few days now. Great stuff! Buy PLEASE can you add the script to make the page automatically refresh every minute.

Does he have stitches now?

“do you suck cock everyday or just during the world cup?
COME ON ITALIA”

wtf, you are as mentally unstable as your flopping heroes.

Italy taking out Totti?!?!?!?

Yes pope is not playing well. Dempsey is playing incredibly.

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/209119_DE_ROSSI_Daniele.html

^ The Culprit of the flying elbows.

How pathetic is that shot to the face. I think he should be allowed to play in the knockout round but only if McBride gets to curb stomp him.

Oo.. The Italians bring in their goon.

Blatter and Beckenbauer are in the stands. Perhaps DeRossi’s gonna get slapped a ban for a few games huh? I was hoping they’d win, but that elbow was REALLY uncalled for.

US needs to make a real goal, they’ve yet to make one in the competition.

ugh, italia. i’d be against your side just because of your brutish behavior.

In goes Gattuso… Italy is trying to close the defense, probably to avoid taking more goals and going for counter attacks.

If this was hockey, Reyna would be beating the crap out of Totti right now.

US really needs to reorganize. They are a man up but playing much less assertively than the first 15.

wow…some turn of events….the usa is playin dirtier now!….

LOL – dw! Oh how I wish this was a hockey moment would love to see the gloves come off there.

Er… WOULD have right after the restart.

Dempsey’s service is INCREDIBLE- if only the US players could do something with it.

Has Bobby Convey beaten anyone 1 v 1 in this cup?

USA’s still missing some creativity when attacking. Just kicking the ball around won’t do.

Prima donnas who are busy looking pretty while diving. That’s Italians.

how are the ABC announcers doing today?

Well I guess at least the italians in this game are proving some of the stereotypes of italian-americans true. Acting like you are collecting protection money from a local business just makes you look bad. Next time America scores on you just put him in concrete shoes and make him swim with the fishes.

It also makes me wish Gary Thorne was doing the American coverage. The man is a brilliant hockey play-by-play guy. I think those skills would transfer well to footie.

Can they file assault charges on him? It was that blatant.

One man down for Italy. I wonder why the US isn’t taking advantage of this?

You can tell that after that awful elbow the referees are not anywhere near as kind when Italy is taking falls now (legit or not, as it’s certainly difficult to tell sometimes).

worthy effort.

so fuck this reff come on it wasnt a deliberate elbow
u.s suckss

Well, at least we have our World Cup’s Most Shameful Moment frontrunner.

I guess the Seppster was right about the elbows.

The US has a good game plan but they seem to be a little slower than the other teams… When they gave the goal up, the dude just simply beat the US players to the ball…

Oh, so close.

So far, Pope looks like crap. Keller isn’t exactly the “best keeper” either. But they are playing much more inspired now.

Good possession game guys…….

Man, do we need a finisher. Get EJ in there.

Italy is a disgrace to sport !

Wasn’t a deliberate elbow? Are you kidding me? For a second there it looked like Pronger was out there.

jes you kidding. The fact that his elbow drew blood is enough for a red card.

“so fuck this reff come on it wasnt a deliberate elbow
u.s suckss”

You are as intelligent a football fan as you are a writer.

as predicted earlier…trolls have come out to play…

WOOOOOW!!!

OMG FIX.

All ball, and a flop. Disgusting.

oh crap, that’s an injustice!

There goes the advantage.

RED CARD? aagh….

i was going to switch off, but the Italian self goal and the subsequent events have changed my mind

what the hey? another red!

Bullshit, hope italy fans are proud of their pathetic team.

That was bullshit.

am i in the twilight zone here!?!?!?!!?

Oh crap well I guess the guineas got a make up call. No need for the red there.

ouch. How many players are we going to end the game with? A 3 on 3 match?

EJ would be a good play right about now. Unless they’re holding him for the 2nd half attacks.

Oh man! Another red card!! This one for the US?!

He got the ball first too.

Mastroeni must be an Italian :)

No. No ball and a broken ankle.

So long points. That’s as bad as the elbow.

never mind, the replay looks BAD

Now 10 men a side. Interesting…

RED CARD?!?!?!?!?!? BS.
ALL the referees in this World Cup are shocking.
May they live in their mums basement for the rest of their lives.

That was crap.

Apparently the ref finally got word the check the Italians wrote him cleared.

Trish: under the rules of football, if any team has less than 9 players on the game, it automatically loses the match.

The diving is moving into comical territory in this game.

It was a late hit!!! This is a Blood Match!!!

Italy needs to change sports from football to diving.

And you will know them by their trail of dead.

Fairly solid contact for Mastroeni’s Red. Not as clear cut as De Rossi’s, but not harsh IMO. It was a dangerous challenge. I can see the Red coming out again.

Oh…looking at the replay…it’s hard to say his studs were up and it did hit the ankle a bit late. Hmmmm I would personally give it a yellow or a foul but a red? Hmmm.

I’ve seen that same tackle go for yellow more than once in this tournament.

The refs really are throwing those cards everywhere. Maestro deserved a yellow, not a red. Well, the Italians will be pleased to know that the field is even. I hope the red card doesn’t shake up the U.S.’s confidence.

this game and Czech-Ghana will be memorable for the exact opposite reasons

It’s not about whether he has the ball or not. If he goes in with both (straight) legs first is simply a red card. Absolutely right decision. That was very stupid to do…squandered a good advantage for the US.

We need to take these guineas out back and beat the crap outta them. I have a plan for how we can win the World Cup, just see who has a better army and military history. Since the guineas couldn’t even win a war against the ethiopians I think we win that contest.

Is this match (1) thrilling, or (2) ludicrous?

“Trish: under the rules of football, if any team has less than 9 players on the game, it automatically loses the match.”

I thought it was 7.

dw, nice one!

I’ve seen that tackle get a yellow but I’m not shocked it got a red. It was a dead hit on the ankle.

Very surprising game.

Man of the Match so far – Jorge Larrionda

The ref just applied the rule: direct tackle in the ankle, no ball touched. Fair red.

It was a childish, imature play from the USA play, he didn’t was angry and violent like the italian was. It as just a silly play.

But the red was fair.

A definite yellow for that tackle. To treat it like a vicious elbow takes away credibility from the ref. Ah, well.

This game is crazy!

A DESERVED SENDING OFF . US WILL BE THRASHED IN SECOND HALF!

Must be sooo tiring after all, to have to dive dramatically and flop themselves on the ground like that at a slightest contact. Maybe they should switch to Judo, instead of football.

Mastro should have gotten a yellow if you’re an American fan, so I think the call is crap. 50-50 on the red. I’ve seen plain fouls with no verbal warning on similar so far this tourney.

10 vs 10. I think both teams are gonna get a good yelling in the locker rooms. Two shameful reds.

No broken ankle. The flop-talian came right back on.

One thing for sure, if I am the US and I see an Italian player down I am not kicking the ball out. I remember now why I never watch disgusting sorry Serie A football (despite the fact that it’s all fixed). This is why Serie A is a joke in the Champions League now.

Italy is the anti-Joga Bonito.

I’m a certified ref, and I can say with all honesty that was a yellow card, nothing more. It was from the front, and he was playing the ball

Billy,

Thanks for making me sad to be an American. Odds you went to college? Zero.

No, that was a well deserved red. US is shooting themselves in the foot with such antics, thats where the coach should have instilled some sense of playing logic.

Good job, Mastro. You’ve cost your side the game.

That was dangerous play- couldhave resulted in broken ankle. Red Card warranted.

Billy proves my point about US supporters, slightly creepy.

The Italians are the ones who are aggressive to the U.S. players. They need to put it down a notch before a player gets seriously injured.

US seems to consistently draw South American referees. As a gringo, I find this consistently worrisome.

“No broken ankle. The flop-talian came right back on.”

I think Terry was joking, at least I hope so considering that Pirlo came right back out and the replay clearly showed the ball was hit first.

…that was a deserved red….didnt hit the ball..late tackle with his feet up..and it hit the ankle….uncalled for!!!….

no, trish, the ball jumped. he got a piece of it, even if it was a small one.

so much for a 11 man advantage…

YOU CANT EVEN WIN A WAR IN IRAQ

Terry is generally always kidding.

Eddie Johnson should come on!!

Daryl – I thought it deserved a yellow, too. But I’m sure I’m biased as well!

Haha, yes it is totally silly to lump in Italian football with Italians or Italian-Americans.

Ludicrous, Terry T.

Hi my name are Roma Casuccio me Italian and Italy beat US 4-0 my enlighs bad but our football better

FORZA ITALIA!

FORZA ITALIA!

FORZA ITALIA!

MCBRIDE IS FLOPPER!

(this post was ironic)

but replay showed a hard slide on a planted foot.

Great effing game thus ar, the boys are playing their skin off.

That’s not a straight red.
I’ve never seen cards handed out like this in any league in the world. Certainly not in the British leagues. What’s FIFA’s beef? and if they told the referee’s to jump off a bridge would they, cos surely they are not THAT bad when reffing in their domestic leagues.

What was Bruce Arena televised as saying? From where I was, it looked like he called the ref a “fucking pig”.

Pigs everywhere should be offended.

You are NOT being biased Bob. And if you were a little, we would still forgive you. :)

Doing an excellent job so far. Get another beer and keep it up.

One thing that worries me about the US is that since the red card (even before the second red card), they have been totally disorganized. Reyna and Dempsey need to get the ball more. They have both been playing very well.

Poorly-timed tackle – a straight red.

The replay shows Mastroeni got a piece of the ball on that tackle. Terrible call from the ref. Greg Louganis is lucky that some of these Italians were not competing in ‘84 and ‘88.

The second red was very very harsh. Contrary to what other posters have said it wasn’t a two-footed challenge. He just came in late and caught the ankle. It would be a yellow with 99% of other refs.

Now.. the second half will be interesting.

Stop bloody winging. Rules is rules. It is very clear, there’s no doubt that this is a red card.

Plus, your (the oh, he came right back people) opinon then is: only if he actually does break an ankle should be a red card! How beautiful football would be then!

FORZA ITALIA FORZA ITALIAN

Italians, where are you now? Too busy flopping or sharpening your elbows with a file? Or doing your hair?

Looking at the replay. Yup it’s a red card tackle. It was two footed which is against the rules on a planted foot. Even if there was no broken ankles letting that go away would be going against the rules.

Damian, it was dangerous, but which adjective would you use to describe it, reckless (yellow) or voilent (red), I would say reckless

“but replay showed a hard slide on a planted foot.”

I don’t think I trust your estimation of anything considering you thought that Pirlo was hurt by that at all and you thought the ball wasn’t touched. Both of which were patently wrong.

comon ppl!…hte italiand dude passes the ball before he gets hit…it was deserved…the ref was right there…..those with TiVo!…reply it and see for yourself…i would be all over it if i had myself

I agree Daryl. If Italy had had 11 men on the field, I bet Mastroeni would have been given a yellow. The ref was trying to even the playing field, IMO.

Both players deserved to be sent off. US has committed a foul every 30 secs. and has completely rattled Italy. Italy is playing like a bunch of pansies. No team deserves to win this one, if both continue to play in the same manner.

I wish this was like hockey and that de rossi could have been tooled in a manner that should have happened. He gives an elbow to the face, well give him something equal to that, say a foot to the teeth.

The red card was the worst call made yet in any game. Where was the blood !!!! He spent 2 seconds on the stretcher than left. There are late tackles in every game, at most it should of been a yellow!

With that said, this is turning out to be a great game!

1-1, 10 players each, wow!

Griff: If that was from the front than either you, or me, have to get our eyes checked.

Jes: If you think the elbow wasn’t deliberate than you obviously don’t know Daniele De Rossi, one of the most manic and dangerous players (I’m referring to fouls) in the World Cup.

Finally I would request the amateurs who only just discovered this sport to have some respect for the referees. they are far more qualified than yourselves, and have been, on the whole, fairly good so far. Especially in this match. Note that they don’t have action replays like we do, and that they have to concentrate on several things at a time. And despite that, they do a good job.

The big question is, What subs will be going in?

My guess for the US: Beasley and Eddie Johnson.

I think the comment that if it was a yellow no one would be complaining is correct. However, I don’t see the red as being absurd, especially after seeing the replay a few more times.

Raybron: Instead of using another users as YOUR argument, watch the replay. There is simply no doubt, sorry to say. A clear two-footed attack. It’s football, not Kung-Fu.

It’s not about him getting hurt it’s about the legality of the two footed tackle which is illegal once it connects.

It’s a shame that this game will most likely be remembered, not for stellar play, but for flops and flying elbows. One would hope that when someone reaches this level of competition, they would want to win by merit, not by duplicity.

@DGM: haha, i saw the f word, too ;)

They were both deserved red cards, the referee was INCHES away from the Mastroeni play, not only that but Mastroeni was warned before. Good for the referee protecting players with high technique like Pirlo. De rossi will probably get a 5-game ban for that elbow, I hope FIFA makes an example of that dumb animal.

Terry T: under FIFA’s WC rules, group stage matches use referees that aren’t from the continent any of the teams are playing. That means that an USA vs Italy match, you wouldn’t get a CONCACAF referee nor an European referee.

Regarding South American referees, well, they’re some of the best in the world. Now if you got an asian referee, you’d have more reason to worry about.

Tell me more about the basketball ABC. Please. Please do. Don’t stop. Awww it’s gone.

Where was the blood. Ok, I don’t say now what you are, but I hope you can imagine what I think you are! Go watch a different sport!

Who thinks this game is going to end in a win at either side, or do you guys think its going to end with a tie ??????

“It’s football, not Kung-Fu.” :D

To all saying that’s a well deserved straight red, your wrong. Here’s why:

Careless: Foul
Reckless: Yellow
Violent: Red

The elbow fits in the latter, the tackle is the former. It was as straight of a make-up call as you can get, and your politics are getting in the way of your footie if you think otherwise.

I think if you showed the first half of this game to any group of American high schoolers, you’d have a million of them sign up for soccer on the spot.

A little of that ultra-violence, in the words of a droog I once read about.

“Italy is playing like a bunch of pansies. No team deserves to win this one, if both continue to play in the same manner.”

wtf why doesn’t the US deserve to win? They are playing their asses off against a side that is far superior in every way. Their one hard foul was very arguable and had no effect unlike Italy’s red card which was matched with lots of red on McBride’s face. Besides that foul and Italy’s decent amount of flopping early on (which they’re doing less of for now) I’d say whoever wins deserves it unless it is REALLY cheap. This is like the people saying Ghana didn’t deserve to win when they were up 1-0 b/c they weren’t “finishing their chances.”

The one thing I hope for is slightly less aggressive play. I thought the first 20 or so minutes, where the US played very well at the beginninng and Italy started countering well were ideal play-wise.

Wow, this blog board is much more productive (read: intelligent) when the US isn’t playing…it’s also much more pleasurable. I’ll be back tomorrow.

I don’t know how to describe this game so far, but beautiful is a word that is farthest from my mind.

Mebbe the own goal is promising – think back to ‘94 – Escobar scores own goal for US, US advance to 2nd round. 2002 – Donovan scores on Portuguese deflection, US advances to quarters. In both games, the own goal was the difference.

Well, we’ll see. 2nd half should be entertaining. One thing’s for certain – EJ’s ‘war’ comment seems to be not far off the mark.

Enzo: It only seems like the US is committing a foul every 30 seconds because the Italians are living up to their reputations as grass divers. Personally, I’m hoping that these trigger-happy refs start carding the Azzuri for their flops.

I agree with the Mastro red card, even though I am a US fan. Two footed from behind and got NO ball.

oh well, 10 v. 10 we still have a chance.

those first twenty minutes (aside from Italy goal) were BREATH TAKING.

VAMOS EEUU! VAMOS VAMOS!

those fouls have been going on all games and at most deserved a yellow not red. it’s ridicuous.

The ESPN/ABC commentary is awful. I am sick and tired listening to these guys. Anyone have access to BBC, unfortunately the SUN radio commentary is about 10 seconds faster than the ABC/ESPN broadcast.

LOOK OUT FOR DEMPSEY.

and I’ve made the executive decision that they need replay screens like they have in American football. tho, they would have to stop the game…

-I counted four reds in the first half. De Rossi’s card, Mastroeni’s card, McBride’s nose and Zaccardo’s face.

Hah. Actually laughed out loud at that. Zaccardo should apply for political asylum at the US embassy – we’re the only people who will make a decent effort to protect his life after that OG.

From the creators of opera, mafia and the antifutbol here comes their 2006 version. The sight of the Italian players doing a Greg Louganis as soon as they feel the hint of a breath coming their way; the incredulous look of De Rossi’s face after being ejected for his criminal elbow; and the boring and uninspired exhibition of Italian futbol (an oxymoron by the way) leaves me convinced that Gigi Riva must be rolling in his grave.

Raybron, you cut me to the quick.

After the elbow in McBride’s face, and then the tackle, this match was in danger of getting REALLY out of hand. The second red card was more to put a brake on that.

So what’s up with McBride’s head? It is some sort of a magnet. He is amazing using it to put the ball in the back of the net, but he is also amazing at attracting peoples arms and feet. I used to play with him back in the day (highschool) and he was the same then. He won the state championship with a head ball right after he broke his nose five min. earlier. Just thought I would shed some lite on how long he has been using his head for scoring and attracting peoples limbs. USA looking good, need to spread out a bit.

You’re right on Raybron!!!

The US could win the world cup (just a metaphor lol) and there will always be people out there who’ll find something to say…

Good luck teams!

Akbar, you had a very good point.

“Finally I would request the amateurs who only just discovered this sport to have some respect for the referees. they are far more qualified than yourselves, and have been, on the whole, fairly good so far. Especially in this match. Note that they don’t have action replays like we do, and that they have to concentrate on several things at a time. And despite that, they do a good job.”

I would not want their job!

What was that red card. He had been warned, but a straight red for that play? He was on a late attack, but from side, not from behind, bad call. Should have been a yellow, with a stern warning.

How about Onyewu? he needs to watch himself?

OK. We’re on to the second half. Put all the crap behind us and play your hearts out USA.

who cares…whats done is done…
in my opinon the CZECH REPUBLIC and GHANA deserve, should, and WILL go through to the second round…

“Raybron, you cut me to the quick.”

Haha no no worries we are both passionate footie fans and this is a passionate game. Let’s hope we have some solid clean play and may the best team this half win.

That about does it.

The Czechs AND Ghana can’t both go through, not unless the US wins today.

I agree Jen and Sebastian. It’s over and done with. On to the 2nd half!! :D

Hahaha. Here we go again! Now let’s see the reaction here…

Why should the US be punished just because we can’t dive as well? The thing about all this is that the American guys grew up around sports like hockey and football were you play hard and hit people. CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! Somebody punch that ref in the face!

This ref loves RED !

This ref is a caricature of himself.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing.

Sad.

“I counted four reds in the first half. De Rossi’s card, Mastroeni’s card, McBride’s nose and Zaccardo’s face.”

HAHAHAHAHA! :D Poor Zaccardo, how they must be swearing at him back home in Italy!

WHAT?! AGAIN?

OMFG.

what did he do?? what’s happening??

nananananananana, heye hey Pope goodbye!!

Mastro & Pope will be playing Nintendo soccer in the dressingrooms downstairs!

i am not wtching anymore…POpe got all ball

ALL BALL

the refs want italy towin

fuck this shit

ok…
i AM in the twilight zone….

man oh man is this game goin to be controversial or what?!?

A slide from behind is a virtually automatic caution. This is officiating 101.

This is a reflection on the coaching, plain and simple.

OK, now that card was utter shite.

whats the minimum no. of players?

THAT WAS BALL!!!!!

Omg! What did Pope do?

this is such BULLSHIT

Apparently, Fifa refs now get their certifications out of Cracker Jack boxes. Unbelievable.

Oh, this is not good. Bud Arena (this is what they called him on NPR) is pissed!

Ref is good, the best until now in the cup.

this is madness!!!!!! Now it’s 10 v. 9…. Pope should have been out already!

Lesson learned, FIFA: diving is always a good tactic.

That was a bit harsh on Pope. But he should have known better.

wait wait.
he touched the ball no?
was that fair reffing?

thank goodness for replay. i had missed it the first time.

Bye bye,

Deserved yellow, tackle from behind. Commentators are on crack!
Two-legged tackle = automatic red,.

But again, he CAN (doesn’t necessarily have to) give a yellow for this. What the ref tries to do here is getting the aggression out of the game. Both sides are playing overly hard and he tries to get the control back, that he lost long ago.

But I would say, considering that Pope already had yellow, this one was a bit harsh.

Ooooh. It was an aggressive attack from behind to get the ball.

i wonder how much the Italisn payed the refs? That seems to be their forte…

CUANTO PAGASTE HIJO DE PUTA? CUANTO?

I hope this central defender never walks straight ever again

Billy must be looking for the UFC blog…

Jesus guys, a tackle on the legs (and specially if from beghind) is reason enough for a card, and even a red card. There’s much more involved in a foul, it’s not only the final violence of the hit but the whole situation around it – for example, hitting a player before he can even see you.

He is wearing a red shirt too..the REFEREE

This ref is horrid.
He should be bannished to U10G games.

so is he truly hurt, or just milking it?

Meant to say, Pope should have been subbed at the start of the half. But that second yellow was mad!

Minimum number of players is 9. I hope there will no more red cards on the US side.

What the hell is going on??? My youth refs are better then the idiots who are refing this game…

repeat: a slide from behind is an almost automatic caution.

another Italian heading out for spot amputation.

“Finally I would request the amateurs who only just discovered this sport to have some respect for the referees. they are far more qualified than yourselves, and have been, on the whole, fairly good so far. Especially in this match. Note that they don’t have action replays like we do, and that they have to concentrate on several things at a time. And despite that, they do a good job.”

In general, yes, but I still think that was a yellow card, not a red.

And it’s good that refs have no replay and no help. Refs in US leagues with replay have become increasingly lazy, relying on the replay booth to bail them out.

I’m flipping to the Mariners-Giants game. I just can’t bear to watch another heartbreak.

lol 27 fouls in 48 minutes!

I’m glad he’s going to be reviewed at the end of the day !

This is going to be an interesting match. I wonder how the loss of key players will affect future games.

fifa should reinstate pope and mastroeni

Horrible! Red card to the ref for being an idiot.

“i wonder how much the Italisn payed the refs?”

That makes no sense seeing it that the first red card was for an Italian.

what an f’ing joke this uruguayan mf is

Italy 10 USA 9

:)

can’t wait to see landon donoVan get the red in few minutes

Regardless to teams or favorites, who has ever heard of…

9 vs 10, thats 3 PEOPLE OUT !!!

Cannavaro back on in two seconds. What a surprise. Seriously, if I were a fan of this Italy team right now I would be beyond embarassed.

Good point SES.

My 7-year old son just said “Mom, the referee is ruining the game.” Ha. I didn’t even prompt him.

can’t anyone contest the refs decision?

“getting the aggression out of the game”
hm. good point.

oh this is not going too well… I was hoping for another upset and the US winning this game.. we agreed on it Monday in Gelsenkirchen.. and the Czechs were going to support the US.. ha ha.. we are missing 3 forwards – maybe the US can shrink the Italian team so it will be more even when we play.. (wishful thinking)

How is this a showing of coaching? Arena should have taken the team to their local pool and taught diving instead of soccer? Because that is clearly how the US could get a step up on the guineas. These refs are terrible and clearly against the players because of their nationality. What ever happened to being anti-racist, doesn’t that include looking down on being anti-country?

@jarin: no kidding. so much for a lucky first half.

@adrian: by issuing so many cards and throwing players out, you up the aggression, esp. between the teams

Prescient comment from blogger Daryl: 47:33 Pirlo’s free kick just over. As with Mastroeni, the ref is within the rules to show that card to Pope, but he doesn’t need to. He should be calming things down not creating more drama. Maybe he’s got the World Cup confused with Big Brother?

Woah. The Sun just cut off commentaries?

what’s up with that Ali?? did they say anything or just cut it off?

OK, I have to request here as well: if this is the first WC you’re watching, stop making remarks about rules and Refs. So far nothing has been completely wrong. It’s not Rugby, it’s not American Football, it’s not AFL…it’s football.

Punch in the face: red card
Two footed tackle: red card
Tackle from behind: yellow card

Would you like your 7 year old to get tackled from behind? Just because we want US to win lets no lose sight of good sportsmanship.

These officals are bad. The Italian striker was on there….

I don’t think the refs are biased, I think they just suck.

This has got to be the worst refereed game I have seen, and for calls going against both Italy and the US. Ref has lost control.

Can you imagine the look on Pablo’s face when Pope shows up in the showers?

My God, this USA guys never been in football and don’t know shit about the rules. Why don’t you guys come back to HANDEGG and let the football for who understand the game ?

ALL RED CARDS WERE FAIR. ALL. NO EXCEPTIONS.

1 – Angry italian hits yankee’s face. Against rules. OUT

2 – Innocent and childish foul by a yankee player, lost the ball, direct to the italian’s ankle. OUT

3 – This was not a red card foul, it was a yellow card foul. BUT THE GUY ALREADY HAD A YELLOW. So, OUT.

Go learn the rules in FIFA website, this is the best referee until now. USA players are so innocent.

reen: that’s what’s happening because they’re too worked up. mature players should consider the cards as warnings maybe? the ref’s ATTEMPT/intention may be trying to send the message that violent play is not tolerated.

32 seconds into the second half, and there was no discussion by the ref. he should at this level send all players away, and have a hard discussion with Pope. Not a soft red. I agree the refs are good, but come on.

I do not believe this referee will do another game after today in this world cup.

He sees a

Ok, I think the refereeing is questionable… But without those questionable cards, there could have been plenty more blood out there now.

Both sides are really giving it to the other, that’s all I’m trying to say.

The loss of key players is going to determine the outcome of future games played and who advances to the knockout stage. The U.S. plays Ghana next, and as we’ve seen, Ghana is a great team and could easily defeat the U.S.

“Go learn the rules in FIFA website, this is the best referee until now”

How do you explain the terrible offsides calls then? Great analysis.

reen: Well, yeah, I guess that is one possible effect. But if both teams are running too many illegal/dangerous tackles, you have to do something as a Ref. Otherwise players think it’s ok this way and keep doing it.

Not smart if the players let their emotions take over after all wouldn’t look good that because they got angry they lost the game because of another red card.

Claudio .. good clarification.

#18: Ref should send that message by TALKING before throwing people out. Cards don’t control games, PEOPLE control games.

Thanks Claudio, excellent post. Some US fans do care about “Fair Play”, unlike Billy who would have the US team learn to be divers like Italy.
The 2 actions that lead to Red cards were because of foolish decisions by the players, that is a reflection on their training!

US is out of sorts, I’m just waiting for the goals to start raining in now. We desperately need a miracle.

I have been watching soccer for a long time and this is not fair reffing. That last tackle was from the side and it got ball. If you know anything about soccer, which you say you do, then you would see that you can make a tackle like that if you make contact with ball first.

“How do you explain the terrible offsides calls then? Great analysis.”

Ummm that’s by the Line Referees. Get your referees in order.

Fully agree with Claudio,

this is by the book!!

what’s up with Daryl’s blogging? haven’t seen anything new up there for a while…

Claudio,

2 and 3 were the same foul. How was one a red and one a yellow? Perhaps you should check out the rules and pratice a little common sense while your at it. Hatred for the US is no excuse for not being objective.

hmmm… yeah (DGmavn). but maybe he thought that’d be futile?
yeah ok i’ll shut up now…

That was a pathetic attempt at the goal…

“1 – Angry italian hits yankee’s face. Against rules. OUT”

Rudy Giuliani hit Derek Jeter in the face? HOORAY!

Claudio, que haces?

If Reyna keeps shooting like that, we could be up 12 to 5 and still not win.

US needs to win this game without the ref’s help. Right now, Italy has scored two goals.

“How do you explain the terrible offsides calls then?”

I’m not saying about the offsides. Offsides are sideline’s referee fault. I’m saying about the three red cards. And all of them were FAIR and SQUARE. Face it. I know it’s harsh, but it’s the rules.

“Ummm that’s by the Line Referees. Get your referees in order.”

I am talking about all the referees. Hence why I said “referees.” Learn to read, idiot.

Erik: Yeah, I agree there…like I said, considering Pope already had a yellow one, he could have spared him this one. But then, as discussed, players were already too agressive and the Ref wanted to show: I will not let go anything from now on. It’s justifiable, I find.

2nd was 2 legs

maybe losing pope is a good thing. he has sucked thus far in the tournament. dont get me wrong, being a man down blows – but pope has blown even more.

@18 & adrian: yall do have a point, but as we should all know – being football/soccer fans- most of the players get into the game, possible too much at times. and making them angry and more desperate is not going to lessen the aggression and drive. for most at least.

The US Italy game has the worst officiating i have ever seen.

That Ref should be banned from the game for life…

THe game isnt even fun to watch.

Plus:

Bruce Arenas needs to get a clue.. His management, tactics and squad selection. Are terrible!! Any one agree

This is a most memorable game, one the US side will never forget.

I think perhaps the referee cannot come to grips with the fact that the football ignorant yanks are running circles around the fabled Azzuri on European soil, hence some of these foul calls. Either that, or maybe the people from Juventus had a talk with him before the game.

PS Ali I love how you say your a football fan but support Italy. What a joke. No true football fan supports Italy except Italians.

Hahahaha! Replays are so beautiful. It’s like watching an opera…badly acted mind you. :D

SES, true that.

Daryl must be getting a beer out of the fridge.

One of the Italian players just hurdled over a slide tackle.

Smartest man on the field by far. Stanford will be giving him an honorary degree at the end of July.

Two things:

(1) There’s no midfield whatsoever!

(2) the fans are really into it!!!

Just so you know, I think the referee is doing just fine.

Of course it’s the nature of football and football supporters to discuss endlessly about all kinds of subjective points and decisions from a match though.

This game is causing strife amongst the commentators! It’s just a game, guys! Relax.

‘Rudy Giuliani hit Derek Jeter in the face? HOORAY!’

Hahaha. Fantastic! Love it!

FF: Bruce’s tactics were definitely bad in the Czech game, but then so was our player’s efforts. They seem to be much improved this game, but I’d still like to see more of EJ in there.

“PS Ali I love how you say your a football fan but support Italy. What a joke. No true football fan supports Italy except Italians.”

You are brilliant. With a name like Raybron, you’re probably black. Explains everything.

no. leave dempsey in

Coaching soccer for years I have not seen any worse refs. Michael in
Boston

Italy look to be playing a 3-4-2, while the USA have opted for the lesser-spotted 4-3-1…..from BBC

God, make the noob US fans go away. make the ESPN commentary stop! PLEASE.

The calls were fair. Any ref in that mess faces a decision to lay off and risk things getting worse, or send a serious signal to the players to cut it out. He clearly opted for the second.

And at least one really bad offsides call cost Italy a goal.

Genius, clearly you’re not.

What?!?!?!?!

Get DMB off that effing field. And *Don’t Do Anything With Dempsey!*

Nice run between Donovan and McBride though.

“2 and 3 were the same foul. How was one a red and one a yellow?”

Erik, they were completely diferent fouls, just because the second was with a high feet.

A tackle with a high feet direct in the ankle it’s ALWAYS considered a danger and red card foul, because the possibility of a broken ankle is high.

“Claudio, que haces?”

I don’t speak spanish, Liliana.

EJ would have put that on goal.

Daryl? You still here?

Offside!!!!! Freakin goal is offside!

I think the Ref gave Daryl a red card! He’s out!

Raybron, I support Italy for how they used to play in the past with finesse. Just because I support them is because I also have Italian friends who are watching the game right now and are supporting them.

However, if you read in my previous posts you’d have read that I support the US as the underdogs as I have done with all underdog teams.

im here to discuss soccer can we please NOT be racist!

and theres going to be a lot of drinking ar this game…

“Genius”? That last comment was quite needlessly out of line.

NOooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Of ALL THE OFFSIDES CALLS TO MAKE…

Oh man. It was a good call, too. Shame, shame, shame.

i bet buffon as got a tenner on three players being sent off tonight.and hes giving half of his winnings to that useless f**king excuse for a fifa referee

Nice one Jen. Keep those fantastic quips coming. Or hang yourself. Either or.

Shit, but that was a good call. Really close though…..

One thing the US is doing well is the Offside trap.

Offsides
Italy 9
USA 0

Adrian Wagner:

“Tackle from behind: yellow card”

No, Tackle from behind=Red.

Blame the cynical defenders who used to hack down Van Basten and Maradona in the 80’s. That’s where that rule comes from. (Van Basten’s career was ended by having to deal with that every single match).

The referee is possibly over-zealous, but those are the laws of the game.

“This game is causing strife amongst the commentators! It’s just a game, guys! Relax.”

Who are the commentators? (I’m watching Univision) I hope not Erik Whinealda.

well….the cards worked…the stupid players finally got the freakin hint…to PLAY football!!….it was ridiculous the amount of fouls that were going on…they had to calm down somehow…to bad it took so many reds and yellows for them to calm down

Ohoh. Now the anger will start again!

Decision correct. The US player standing offside is 1. in the line of the shot (therefore hampering the keepers view) AND 2. trying to flick it, which makes him active offside.

offside.. shit.. but they can do it ! USA USA…

It is the referee who is a MESS !

bullsh*t trog. there have been numerous bad calls. even the univision commentators are saying the same thing.

bummer on beasley

DMB stop celebrating dude!!

Bruce is going to rip a vein in his neck

OFFSIDE!!

No Goal?

The Italians are the circa 2000 Lakers when it comes to fouling. They’re getting the calls.

What we need is Mark Cuban to call the officials out like he’s done in the NBA. I bet you can find five identical tackles to Mastroeni’s in this Cup that have been yellow or less.

ok that was a good call

What happened? This is getting nuts…

The US will score if Italy keeps playing this poorly. Italy seems to be overrated, as Totti is too slow when he’s in and Toni isn’t producing.

Brian get onsides!

I’m a bit worried about Daryl. What happened to him? Bathroom break?

Argh tough break. I can’t believe how the US are destroying Italy’s defense.

McBride clearly in offside position. And another dead Italian.

I meant ya’lls as the “blogger commentators.”

Btw, good call by the ref on the offside.

GOOOOOOL!!!

babloa and I think JP?

Okey, before you start calling “FIX” again, I’ve just seen the replay and he was offside, and he was part of the play because he was in front of the keeper (regardless of touching on the ball or not).

Unlucky Demarcus Beasly!!

And my friends, that was a FAIR offside, because even if the player didn’t hit the ball, He did took goalkeeper attention and took part in the whole play.

Best referee until now, congratulations.

Oh yeah, Arena’s gonna have an aneurysm.

In the ass… that’s funny.

No goal, because McBride blocked the GK… I don’t get it?

Where is Daryl? I’m not getting the LiveBlog here …

“Claudio, que haces?”

‘I don’t speak spanish, Liliana.’

Sorry not you, I meant Reyna who can’t kick a ball into the goal.

Update on the Bruce Arena-cam:

“You fucking bastard!”

Oh, American coaches. Tee-hee.

Unlucky DeMarcus. That was a mightly blow.

51% vs. 49% ball possession for Italy.

clear offside goal, first offside for the US, 18 for italy. Don’t complain US.

USA is kickin ass, literally.

Claudio,

Pope went high to the ankle too. Proof that he went to thwe ankle is the Italian player is still out of the game because he is legitimately injured. Watch the replay. They’re both yellow cards. Or they’re both red. First red was a make up call. Second yellow was because this ref is lost and clueless and losing control of the game. Be objective.

ok mcbride was offsides because he was involved in the play by blocking the gaol keeper, if mcbride was say sitting in the corder doing nothing with the play, it would have been a goal, but mcbride was involved in the play

I said it earlier . This is a BLOOD MATCH!!!! Who will be alive to tell the story.

come on usa finish off these cheating eyeties once and for all

My word, that field looks empty.

Dear USA,

Please trap the ball.

Sincerely,
DGMavn

I liked the comment on TV.. Zambrotta (shot on goal) finally done something that was soccer related.. lol

Bruce Arena may need to go wash his mouth out with soap.

I think Daryl has abandoned us; he must have gotten tired of all the quibbling.

Any predictions for final score?

tuanny. It’s ‘complicated’. There’s a thing called passive offside. If a player is nowhere near the play, when he’s standing offside and does not try to get into the game, it’s a passive offside and not interrupted. However, if a player, even if not touching the ball, is either having an influence on the keepers view OR/AND tries to get involved with the shot (as McBride did), it’s considered an active offside and the play is interruped.

please ref that was not a yellow card

HE PUSHED!!

Card crazy!

The US is finally starting to play with heart, if they focus on goal they can win it. Stop worrying on the past and PLAY!

Hmm… yellow card… make-up call for the US, perhaps?

gotcha Griff….

One more yellow… How many so far?

haha another yellow. ridiculous but i guess you have to be at least consistent at this point.

Another yellow for the italians for pushing.

Question: What ISN’T a cardable offense to this ref?

And yes, that was an undeserved yellow on Italy right there.

That’s another card.. there is real tangible hostility on the field.. I am sure the stands are seething with anger!

This ref is lost. He has no idea what to do now. He throwing cards just to prove a point. That was nothing more than a foul.

Yay cards! Weeeee!

This is comical.

PS:
“Sorry, you can only post a new comment once every 15 seconds. Slow down cowboy.”

Funniest. Server. Message. Ever.

Love it. “Cheating eye-ties.” Wogs begin in Calais, Mate.

Adrian: great explanation. Thanks.

This game is beyond words.

did they not have offsides in the 30s when Italy won all its world cups?

Give us American supporters a break. We’re just supporting our side, and we think all calls against us are unfair.

It’s a game of passion! You’d do the same!

If I were not American though, yeah, most calls have been pretty fair. I still think the red against Mastro was a bit harsh, although in the overall context of the game getting out of control it was a fair call.

this ref is gonna get shanked. but question is…by who?

To bad there isn’t a big red button that says “DO OVER!”

Unlimited yellow cards for this ref…ridiculous. But I guess consistent is better than erratic.

“This ref is lost. He has no idea what to do now. He throwing cards just to prove a point. That was nothing more than a foul.”

No no remember what all the Italy fans said, great ref, probably one of the best ever. Wonder if they’ll feel the same after he gives a bad pk to the US or a bad red card to Italy.

I lost count, someone take the cards out of his pockets, the calls haven’t been bad, but his liberal usage of cards is rediculous

CAN SOMEONE GIVE THE REF A RED CARD

fianlly!! beautiful creative football!!

that was the ugliest cross ive ever seen.

welcome to the world cup kasey keller

Go Keller!

Brilliant save. I was terrified by that shot.

plz don’t get mad at me for asking: wasn’t del piero offside?…

Only we Swiss are neutral! ;)

Keller is class…

Love his work.

GO Switzerland ( I was born in Geneva)

Currently we are in the 75′ minute.

Daryl’s been gone for 23 minutes. Maybe he had to run to the packy.

The ref has lost control of this game. If he wanted to maintain control he would have pulled the captains over and tried to calm things down after the de Rossi elbow. But no, he’s content to try to assert his control over this match.

Someone needs to make him a “Mission Accomplished” banner.

Still 1-1 for those without feeds.

Lots of back and forth, with both teams getting a chance here and there.

What happened to the liveblogger? Last comment I have is from 50:00. Is my laptop buggered?

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TIME IS IN THE GAME??….THIS CHANNEL DOESNT SAY IT

reminds me of the last WC, where referees were more talked about than the games due to THEIR foul-ups.

or perhaps he is pooping?

It’s a totally open game now. I like it. I think it’s a great game: goals, cards, disallowed goals, great saves…what excactly can you want more? ;)

75th min

this is proving to be the GROUP OF DEATH !

It really resembles a basketball game now.

Half field offenses

donovan is picking up…

*crosses fingers*

75 minutes played

Game’s at 75:10

Good footwork,

Win or lose, I like what the US is showing today. Too bad they were completely lost against the Czechs.

Have y’all seen the T Mobile commercial where the refs are running from an angry mob? “call, call!” “But I don’t have any minutes!” and they are hiding in a locker?

Hilarious commercial.

Could happen in real life…

You’re right, Jodido. If everybody was being 100% neutral and methodical on the comments, it wouldn’t be as fun as it is now.

There’s still no midfield game. 2 reasons. (1) 3 less players give more space to move the ball. (2) both sides prefer to attack than defend. Treasure this game – we are not gonna see many of its likes!

This would be a tough game to lose for either team.

Still 1-1.

lol, the U.S. has gone from diving to hugging..

Trish.. I feel you on the commercial. if it wasn’t for the fence I’d be sure it would happen. That would be cool to watch.

US is doing great considering that they have 1 less on the field.. cant even tell yet..

Jeremy: a twenty minute poop?

God save the man if that’s true.

Gattuso over the bar. Still 1-1 in the 78th minute.

Both teams look like they just want to stand around. Man, Group of Death by exhaustion.

Time is the same as your “minutes” time wherever you are (ie, 31 min into 2nd half now).

Very close to another caution on that dispossessing slide from behind.

What happened to the ref? I have not heard a whistle in a few seconds………….

Jodido: You know, if I watch Switzerland play I yell at each foul of a Swiss player as well and I deny every foul commited by a Swiss as well. But then, when I see the reply, I can also admit that, yeah, right decision…

Adrian Wagner:

We want a penalty!!!!!!!!!!..i could careless for who also….make it controversial too…like a foul by the goalie…heck…and give the goalie a red card while we at it!!!

Dear De Rossi,

Hey man I know how you feel, we are all just misunderstood. The same thing happened to me when I was in a situation like your’s. Don’t let the fans and media get you down, just do what I did.

Sincerely,
Mike Tyson

Yes, isn’t picking on the refs part of the joy of soccer?

keller has come to play today

HOME RUN SEXSON!!!

Oh wait, wrong game.

I now want Ghana to win Group E. Besides their lack of finishing, they have played the most attractive footaball in their group.. Anyone sencing Italia being over-rated

Joining late – awesome 1:1 keep up … Go USA

This is some dramatic football, folks. Nice work by Chudo, but McBride’s header goes safely wide.

1-1. 79 th minute.

brilliant run by cherundolo

Hahaha. sebastian: true. Wouldn’t surprise me either. Would be such a typical Italian thing to receive a penalty.

Come on, McBride!

Nice And1 move by Cherundolo. Kid’s got spunk.

Maybe Live-blogger got a red card?

fifa has got to do something about these refs who are pulling too many yellow cards and affecting the future outcome of the tournament…Ghana will be missing two key players for the next game and at least one of those cards was a definite bogus card

Now that was SUPERIOR play.. good work USA. That’s what we call Joga Bonito

The Mafia got the Blogger?

Now we are still looking strong, take it to them. i do not want to see a single US player that can walk off the pitch……

Hey Arena, you got EJ ready to go in a couple of minutes? Go for broke, crash the area. A draw ain’t gonna do it.

Oh wait, I’m sure you have it ALL worked out. Never mind.

DG – you never know. Maybe a big mac attack?

this ball is insane. I would hate to be a goalie

Corner for ITA. Pirlo takes it. FOul on ITA, headed the other way.

Nice earlier save from Keller. 1-1, 81st minute.

@ugly: yeah, gahna has some quick footwork and nice, tight passes.

Maybe Daryl’s still trying to figure out USA’s formation.

Randi, are you thinking Daryl has gone to swim with da fishes?

Seems like they were having problems with the blog part yesterday or the day before. Wasn’t for nearly this long though.

HOME RUN JEREMY REED!!!!

Wait, wrong sport.

yes fifa needs to change some of its rules, and refs need to learn not to ref by the book all the time, and do what is in the best intrerest of mantaining control of the game.

wha this is fucking crazy 3 men out own goal aaaahhh iam freaking out

switch it! donovan is all alone on the right

1-1, 84th minute. Peeps looking tired.

Tomorrow’s headline:

Italy Scores 2, US Scores 0, Tie Declared: FIFA Using New Math?
Liveblogger Given Red Card, To Be Heard by FIFA For Re-instatement For Elimination Play
Revolutionary Changes in Football Met With Lead Pipes and Concrete Shoes For Referees

I think maybe Daryl is trying to find the referees address to beat him up senseless.

Can’t see another goal being scored in the last 10 min.

Why does the US team have this thing against shooting from outside?????

DMB seems to be walking everywhere?

Why do all the americans hype Casey Keller as being one of the best keepers in the world.. I prefer Tim Howard.. Keller is slightly above average!! Tim should get the start

Reen, I agree. Ghana was playing beautifully.

Why are they so scared to move inside the box? it’s time to try and get a penalty!

A penalty just to break this 1-1 tie would be very much appreciated.

im exhausted just watching these guys out there – reyna looks like a zombie

From GOALIE to GOALIE.. is the game that crazy?!

Jeremy: laughed out loud at ‘big mac attack.’

Made me shudder, too.

Jen in Boston: it totally is. At least around here (Brazil), if we aren’t screaming at the referee when watching a match, there’s something terribly wrong.

oh god…i can hear the annoyin “USA! USA!” by the fans…..

Writing from Ghana. Italy will win this and Ghana will beat the US on Thursday. Mark my word.

does the US have any more subs?

Why isn’t Eddie Johnson in there?

wow. that was scary

if the ref runs out of opportunities he can repeat what Collina done before… he gave Latal (Dutch vs CZ) a red card while he was on the bench and not even in the game..

Seriously, this game reminds me of some of my high school games. The players are so tired they have about the same level of skill. It’s like they have lead weights attached to their ankles.

I don’t think anybody wants to play anymore.

Trapper…

Not sure, we have seen a a few inthe WC in the stoppage play…..

I was afraid with all the sending offs, we would get to see fewer-man sports moves employed…say the pick-and-roll….

It seems all these peeps are running out of ideas and steam..

A draw still sets up this Group for an interesting final day…its

Us needs to start eddie johnson..

he is the last hope for a late goal..

US side seems exhausted. I’m exhausted.

Marcello Balboa gives a sorta-compliment to the ref.

Offside again for ITA.

1-1, 86th minute.

it’s gonna end in an a tie. sucks for the italian who scored our goal. he AND the ref can go hide together.

adios, all. this is to straining for me :P

and GO USA!!!

wow that was close

That was a perfect example of why I dislike Italy and always want them out quick:

They are the favorite and they are one man up. On one of the only half-attempted attacks (as one man down) of the US, the Italians have ALL players behind the ball. How defensive can you possibly play?

C’mon USA!

This could be it… nope!

I think an Italian just burst through the window and took Daryl out! That’s the only explanation I can give for his abscence!

Holy shit that was close.

oh my god.

I wonder why the US isn’t bringing in their last sub…really could help right about now.

lots of booing from the crowd

Corner for Italy. Eventually cleared, but ITA sets up again.

Goalmouth scramble, but Gooch kicks it out. 1-1, 87th minute

37 minutes and counting. meanwhile daryl is still trying to figure out the US’ formation. How soon till he just says – fuck it – I cant figure it out

on that last italian attack i swear the 4 us defenders could have all held hands

89th. nice corner kick call ref. dipshit

The Italians are looking for that hole in the defense, but the US have it tight. Not to mention the great work by the goalie.

what minute is this game in?!?!!?!?!

several missed offsides . . .

Trish – Any idea who is doing the booing? Or is it the general kind of boo for the lack of any action?

Hahaha – American crowd shot looked like a beach movie with all the dive motions coming from the crowd.

Ali – yes, bring in fresh legs! Geez, what are they thinking?

Eeeesh, got away with one there with Conrad’s grab. Good thing he didn’t dive.

This is exhausting to watch. And I’m just sitting here drinking a beer.

1-1, 89th minute. Another ITA corner…foul on ITA.

Conrad has to be carful with using his hands in the box. With this ref, Italy might get a penalty!

Univisionn saying that should have been a penalty for Italy

conrad with the shirt tug eek

Hahaha…saw Italian fans signalling for their peeps to dive on that last corner…seriously!

how many stoppage minutes?

totally grabbed iaquinta, lucky not to have a pk there. No, but greatest ref ever, right Italy fans? Solid job.

89′ minute and no sub by the US. Confusing isn’t it?

Jeremy – I don’t think Daryl will ever find out. Hell, I don’t think Arena even knows.

Wherefore art thou, Eddie Johnson?

89th minute why doesn’t Arena put in our last sub?

Ali, they could be shouting “gooooch” for Onyewu, whenever he makes a good stop.

good point ali

We got about 2-3 minutes left. 44:49

i LOVE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!

what a nerveracking game.
90th minute.

Ugh… It’s like watching the four corners offense.

I hope Zaccardo does not face the same fate as the Columbian who scored on his own team a few Wold Cups back.

I think the blogger is in the Joisey River, wearin cement shooze!

90th minute. Will be 3 minutes of stoppage time.

Where is Johonson??? BA did a great job to start and apply pressure, but no EJ??????

What is up I think Bruce forgot what this WC is all about?????

We need a win…….

Where Damarcus Beasley, did he leave the field to buy some bratwurst?

think we’ll have another last minute goal like we’ve been seeing?

Mm, long ball games. How much stoppage? Somewhere around 10 minutes should be good.

For those without tv or radio, we’re down into stoppage time. 2 1/2 minutes left, I think.

“3 minutes stoppage time here in Keyser Soze stadium”

It’ll be a 3 minute over time…just long enough for an equalizer and short enough to finish this match off.

That’s it. A 1-1 final.

What an insane match.

nice shot keller

This is too freakish.. I need a new heart, the tension… damn! The question is, will it happen, wwill someone do it..?

Lets hope no one kamikaze’s during these last few minutes.

That’s it. The Group of Death continues.

Trish – I kind of doubt it. The players look like they just want to get into a bed.

“I hope Zaccardo does not face the same fate as the Columbian who scored on his own team a few Wold Cups back.”

I agree Jeremy…

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA WTG USA.

ITALY=PATHETIC.

a just result.

So… 1-1…

Why do I feel like throwing up? Not just for the US, but for Italy as well…

Not to keep hating on US supporters but why do they wear those god awful hats?

1-1 as the game ends.

Well…. That was a hard fought draw.

YAY!!!!!….Ghana beats…nay…slaughters…the US next game…the czech murder the italians….and everyone is happy

What a terrible Game.. Makes things interesting group E though

tie, not a disater but that realy hurts

I hope they’re paying Keller overtime for this game. 9v10 makes heavy work for a keeper, and I’d put his performance only slightly below Petr Cech’s performance during the Ghana game.

Full time. Such a huge waste of time. All that screaming for a draw?

And this is why Americans won’t watch soccer. A game with this much emotion on the line needs some kind of closure.

Oohh – ABc has an “interesting story” about the ref. Stay tuned, Mouseketeers!

GO GHANA

Thank God it’s over! Can’t wait to see the highlights for this match.

Thanks everyone for reading and commenting. This was a very lively comments section today.

If Daryl hadn’t been shown his second yellow card in the 50 th minute, I’m sure he’d say thanks, and check back during every match for another LiveBlog.

US team played with heart and inspiration, finally becoming a team I can get behind. Looking forward to the final games!

Well, USA fought hard and didn’t stop believing. That’s what football is about. Too bad it wasn’t enough to score.

I can tell you that if Italy continue playing like that they won’t live much longer on this tournament though.

I’m glad this game is over, that was irritating, italians “falling” down like flyes, everyone waiting for Pirlo to come up with something, the US with 9 men couldn’t do much…worse game I’ve seen so far

WOW, what a match. Kinda weird, like I was in the twilight zone after the Italian red.

All we need is an Italian win and a USA win and we are in.

nice job, Americans!! Well done.

Eh, US is going home. Ghana will beat US (6 pts), Italy and Czech draw, Ghana and Italy advance. That’s my prediction.

man…the US shouldnt be THAT happy though..ok 1 pt yay!…but common….they didnt even score!..i mean it was an own freakin goal…

DGMavn, they haven’t said it yet right? Seeing commercials right now. thx for the tip..

Tomorrow will be an interesting day with the Brazil game and the one with France as well.

DGMavn – Turns out the ref is leagally blind.
Who knew?

Nope, they haven’t. Post game show commencing.

Kasey Keller deserves MotM. Good choice, world.

For the US, only the second win or draw against a European side in Europe in the last 10 years.

I’m satisfied. We’re going out, but at least we’re fighting on our way out the door. What a violent game. It looked like American football.

And suddenly the ITA-CZE game really is interesting.

What a game. The matches between the U.S. v. Ghana and Italy v. Czechs will sure be interesting, considering the circumstances.

Ref issues aside, I’d say great show by the USA. I expected more from Italy.

Yeah, them hats are truly ugly, the cheesehead thing isn’t even funny here. The US salvaged a point, but it’s not looking good.

Hahaha referee was previously suspended, and the biased Italy fans here saying how great he is look even dumber than before (which is incredible).

“I doubt we’ll see him again in this tournament”.

Hahaha! Oh man! The WC never fails to keep me interested.

The US won’t move to next round, but at least it shows it could play decent in Europe… It restores pride – maybe even keep Arena’s job for a few more years.

I agree with Mohan who said that this is the GROUP OF DEATH! The other supposed group of death, Argentina is winning hands down.

ABC is saying that the ref. had been suspended once before due to “irregularity”! He didn’t work in the last WC.

ABD “ref previously had been suspended for irregularities, barring him from the past World Cup”.

“I doubt we’ll see him again in this tournament”.

Who said he is a great ref? He made bad calls against Italy, too. The ABC commentators are just awful.

He he – I am catching up on refs work here – now USA feels UKR pain.

Aha! Ref was suspended for last World Cup for “irregularities” denounced by other refs.

AHAHAHAHA – Eric Wynalda says “There are two kinds of refs – bad ones and worse ones.”

Bwwwwaaahahahaha! Greatest. Commentary. Ever.

Who’s this guy with the accent in the ABC postgame report?

This was literally a knockout round.

If US can draw Italy, which defeated Ghana, it can defeat Ghana (perhap in my dreams). And if Azzurri defeats Czechs, which is no certain thing – Italy is not the quality side all had imagined – USA passes through. (Again, in my dreams.)

Darn good game, exceptional performance from the US (not like that pathetic first game). The WC gets better as the days go by..

Time for some nachos.. I’m starving! I also need to change my shirt.. the game mad me hot!

ABC commentators are stupid. Whinealda calling refs “bad and worst” is an insult to the game. Lalas just wants to have his side win. This group is an insult to retards everywhere.

Oh, this should make the Italy-Czech game VERY interesting! They will have to play their hearts out against one another.

that ref just made alot of bad calls…against everyone. usa and italy played great….

The ref was legally blind and he was still permitted to officiate?! Just like the commentators said, we’ll probably never see this guy again. thank God.

Yeah, there is no way to defend that ref. I know many tried, but he’s just a disgrace.

Not surprised at all to hear that he has been suspended before for ‘irregular officiating’ or whatever. Just terrible. And obviously his last WC match.

Wait ABC brought in new commentators?

But loss of two key players for Ghana is huge.

Then again,this is the national team. Guys who are sitting can step up and get it done (in my dreams).

Aunt Samuela…OUCH….your thoughtless comment is an insult to my daughter, who is one of many people who have mental retardation…Do not appreciate hearing her dismissed as a “retard”.

YOU DIDN’T USE YOUR LAST SUB???? THE ENTIRE TEAM WAS DEAD TIRED!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT USE YOUR LAST SUB????

Great job US.. soccer is not always about winning.. but playing with heart and pride …if wasn’t meant to be, to go out gracefully..

Those same commentators are supposed to be unbiased, no? Maybe it’s different for ABC and soccer, but for football/basketball/baseball the commentators are supposed to be neutral. I didn’t see that at all in this match. *shrug*

Actually, I was a bit harsh on the ref comment. The guy tried his best and the teams played well also. This was just one of those games.

Sam – that’s what we were wondering. Maybe the coach didn’t want to waste putting in new players just to stay at a tie? Still it would have been nice to use someone with fresh legs in there.

“Who’s this guy with the accent in the ABC postgame report?”

He’s Italian and works commentary for ESPN and ABC soccer sometimes, since WC 1994. Very funny personality, but he didn’t have much time to speak today.

Moral victory for the US. Sometimes that’s all you get in this game.

I don’t know what to expect in the game against Ghana or the Czechs. Those key players were vital to determining who advanced to the Round of 16. Now that Ghana won their match against the Czech Republic and the U.S. got a tie with Italy, the standings are not definite.

Ze – a belated thanks for a clarifying comment.

That referee went from calling everything to calling nothing. Tons of offside calls, all on the Italians, most shown to be wrong.
Hats off to both teams, for playing really well. Too bad the officiating was as bad as the play was good (in my opinion, of course).

Alright see you all tomorrow for the:

Japan-Croatia
Brazil-Australia
France-Korea Republic

matches!

common ppl….Ghana deserves to go through..and they will…and id rather have italy loose to the czech republic….
about the ref….this is just going to be THE excuse….sad…but in my opinion all 3 red cards were deserved…so the 2nd us goal was offsideas…..ABC commentators a bias and THEY SUCK!….switch to unvision..even when you dont understadn..at least they know how to celebrate a goal!…

ARENA needs to go!!!!!! the players cannot play good without a good coach ,they tried,and it was great they tied Italy..Excelent !!!but Arena….no way..OUT

commentators are rarely unbiased. did anyone else watch sox/yanks alcs in 2004. Joe Buck was practically taunting the red sox.

I don’t use the word retard to refer to those that are mentally challenged. But in any case, I do apologize.

CBS is showing intercontinental poker now – like a World Cup of poker, almost.

USA’s president just wondered if Doyle Brunson was fat. Coach says he was not the young boy who won the first couple of WSOP events.

a pity that with two men down Arena couldn’t put Johnson in to press attack…should coulda woulda … the result is a good one for US, which was one offside (Brian, Brian, Brian…you were just camped out and drained…) from a glorious result. And “gracias para el autogol,” the fatal message to that poor Colombian defender.

Great job from the referee. If you think there are too many cards, complain about players’ poor behaviour.

would be funny if both US and Italy get bounced out in the first round…they were both pitiful

Tuanny: that is Giorgio Canaglia, former Italian striker and teammate of Pele and Franz Beckenbaur on the old New York Cosmos. (RIP)

Resist – an entirely conceivable outcome. Now wouldn’t that be ironic?

See you Ali! Now if only we can find Daryl.

by the way, Ghana WONT HAVE it’s 2 main strikers due to yellow cards for the US match(including the guy who scored today against czech), so that makes it even

Shame on you US team for all the violence you brought to this beautiful game. No wonder among your favourite sports one can count aberrations such as “American” football and ice hockey, where violence is welcome and encouraged.

Thanks Charlie, that’s the name I couldn’t remember. Canaglia would be a great game commentator for American TV (as he used to be way back when), were it not for the accent.

Two great games in one day! Wow. Will see if tomorrow can top this!

What a brilliant match! US didnt deserve to have the two men sent off.

but one thing…if THIS doesnt convince the yanks about the beauty of football..Nothing ever will.

eltomas – thanks for that useful intervention.

Ta ta Jen! Oh and if you do find Daryl tell him that we missed him. :(

Oh, wait, Daryl’s back! We missed you, Daryl. Some were speculating that you got red carded.

I think Italy and Ghana could advance, eliminating both the Czech Republic and the United States. That would be an upset for the Czechs and a victory for Africa. The matches today just show how unpredictable soccer is. I wonder how many people lost their bets. :P

One last thought, This was the worst refed game I have ever seen, It should have been 11-10 (USA) the whole game. My son who has the “God” given ability to play soccer as well as any other sport said ” Dad, if this is the way profesional soccer is I rather play football were there are good refs and replay tapes”

Sad, we might lose a future #1 player..

Australia making comments about our favorite violent sports? What about rugby and “Australian Rule” football? gimme a break Aussie!

I’m happy with the result. The second half the US showed a lot of grit, heard, and determination.

And Italy showed an utter lack of any creativity.

This will make the Ghana game VERY interesting….I’m glad, too many groups are alreay decided before the third game.

If the US can keep its upward trend and the Italians can beat the Czechs…..

Josephyus,

The Italians struck first to McBride’s face.

Don’t insult us. We’ve beaten England. Have you?

Sincerely,
The United States of America.

USA and Italy may have tied, but this article wins the trophy of the article with the higher number of comments – 770 so far. And this is with Daryl out! Maybe he should try getting out earlier to see if we can hit 1000 posts?

This group is WIDE open. Any team can qualify now.

Only to say that stupid guy commenting about third world non- english speaking countries…
Respect US!!!, maybe we could teach you not only football but also other things, that you don’t have any idea!!!!!

It’ll be interesting to see the final stats of Group E.

Josephyus: So I take it you don’t like footy or rugby? Or were you being ironic? Also, it looks a lot more violent when the other team flops to the ground and sells “injuries” better than Ric Flair.

they have actually! :) 3-1

Agreed that this group is a wildcard at this point. It’s exciting, regardless of who moves on to the next round.

From the neutrals perspective its perfect.

I want Ghana and Italy to go through. With Ghana beating the U.S and going through on top! The Italians can then play the Brazilians.

I have to agree with John, Bruce Arena is washed up. He needs to play the talent that is stuck on the bench, especially when the field is tired.

Prashanth – in the World Cup?

In soccer?

Nope, and nope.

What a wreck of a game. As a U.S. fan, I am pulling for them to make it through to the round of 16, but they sure don’t deserve to. They started the game wonderfully, but for some reason let down once they went up a man. Pablo then took some pressure off the Italians by going in on a two-footed, studs up tackle, which was completely unnecessary. The U.S. is far too inexperienced and not talented enough to do well on this world level.

Beasly never should have stood foot on the field that game. For the speed that he possesses, he doesn’t utilize it. He lacks the ability to attack 1 v. 1 and he doesn’t work hard enough. He was the freshest player for the U.S. in the second half and all I saw was him standing around. The guy needs to leave his Euro club team, which he barely plays for, and go back to the MLS to regain his confidence.

Arena should have used his final sub around the 80 min. mark. It was obvious to anyone watching the game that the U.S. were exhausted from being a man down for all of the 2nd half. Instead of putting your life in the hands of the Italians against #2 C. Republic, why not insert Eddie Johnson. With his speed, he could have stretched Italy’s defenese, which went untested for the last 15 minutes of the match. They were able to pull their defensive line up near midfield and simply sit on it because the U.S. couldn’t create any offense to keep them honest. Getting Johnson in would have boosted the U.S. offense and it would have also helped to relieve their defense of the constant pressure Italy was putting them under.

And to add salt to the many U.S. wounds, the ref had a terrible game. Refs that call my DIII games have done a better job than he did today. A ref’s primary responsibility, in my eyes, is to prevent major injury on the players. Instead, refs have taken it upon theirselves to control games by calling every little knock, rather than allowing the players to simply play. Have these refs ever played soccer? They seem clueless when they step on the field. I have seen more offside calls blown in the group stages of this world cup, than I saw throughout the entirety of the EPL season. Changes need to be made to FIFA before they completely ruin this great game.

“Shame on you US team for all the violence”
Josephyus are freakin crazy?-we were not the ones throwing elbows and making it bloody!
-whatever- italians

My REAL point is: WTF is Bruce Arena doing with not using his last substituion!!!!!! I dont care what your playing for tie, win, whatever- IF YOUR A COACH YOU USE THE FRESH LEGS. That is trully grounds for firing in my opinion…PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST ANY,(repeat)ANY reasons as to why he did not use OUR last substitution.

-idealist American soccer fan

the world is a mixture of wussies and they hold the United States resposible for it. maybe italy would have won if they had practiced soccer instead of acting

I assume you are talking about the Aussies and the English?

Australia beat England 3-1 in a friendly. Sven made 11 substitutions at half time!

Italy played BAD this game they kept Falling for every touch that they received they would have won if they werent a bunch of girls…

Sorry about the previous one!!

That was FOR DGMavn.

What can I say? American ignorance at its best…as usual. Go Stars and Stripes, we can always count on some americans to make us laugh. Keep on the good work.

But not in World Cup play.

The USA have.

And please don’t use my name.

thats the way the Italians always play…those morons spoil it with their theatrics. And worse its now spreading.

“PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST ANY,(repeat)ANY reasons as to why he did not use OUR last substitution.”

Chris Webber is the bench coach in charge of tracking substitutions. Or maybe it was the ref from the Fifth Down game.

And with that, I’m off to the hardware store.

What a typical comment from Josephyus – always stick it to the Americans – but I guess since no one really follows Australian opinion – the comment makes sense!

The official was terrible, they said he was suspened in ‘02 for “irregularities”, a decision made by other referees. So my question is why on earth would FIFA bring that person back to the world cup? The frist red card was deserved- an elbow to the face that draws blood? come on! The red card to Mastroeni was the most ridiculous call of the entire tournament so far. It was a tackle that was just a bit late. At the MOST a yellow, in any other game it would have just been a foul like any other.

A lot of the offside calls against Italy were ridiculous too. We’ve seen that in other matches but perhaps more so in this match. Serious problems here in terms of “fair play.”

Thank god that’s over. Alright, good job USA holding with 9 men. Now come Italy beat the Czech Republic!

Listen, NOE JR, if Italy played bad and scored both goals, one for the US who, by the way, did sweet FA, how bad did the US play?

Sorry..that was a mistake! I am getting used to this site!

Here is what a typical Italian A-hole said about the US:

“… let me give you a free course, first learn history better, American soldiers were not the only one landing on Normandy’s beaches, they did it along with the English and the French resistance troops and actualy most of France was delivered by the french troops backed up by allied troops & weapons since uncle sam was mainly heading toward Germany … And if you want to play the history card let me remind you that American independence was fought by French armies as well. So you are pointless in posing yourself as the only nation taking part in the fight and you are pointless anyway because this blog is about football. And it’s a fact that your US team is a shame that took it hard up the ***. You suck at football (maybe you are confused with soccer and football Hahahah in Europe we call it football and that is the original name), I am sure that my great grandmother would do better than your whole country. Watch my country crush yours tomorrow evening… Italy 5 – 0 USA
eat me fat greasy ignorant burger; Europe beats the **** out of you and the marvelous thing about it is that you don t realize it yet… That’s because of people like you that most people around the world hate your country so much.”

What an idiot this guy!

tighest group so far, anyone can qualify…although being second in this gropu “only” means facing brazil in the second round

I think Italy played badly in large part because US controled the mid-field for the first half… and then the US packed it in in the back and the Italians looked tired.

1. Claudia Reyna needs to not start.
2. Putting Beasely in was a good call of course… but he was still passing backwards and doing few runs against the tired Italians.
3. There is no explanation nor excuser for not putting in Johnson for the last 10 minutes.

Australia,

Next time you talk shit about the US in English (or what you call english), remember if it wernt for the US you would be speaking out against us in Japanese. everyone hates us until we’re needed, go fuck a dingo

what about the substitution THAT WAS NOT MADE????????!!!!!!!

Heh. ’sok, Prashanth. No hard feelings.

The inflammatory remarks of the Aussie (who really needs to examine his own national interests as the other posters suggested) got me a little riled. Sorry if I came off as terse.

And now we have to root for Italy to beat the CR tomorrow. Oh, the irony.

Yeah … a substitution woulda been nice. Maybe some fresh legs in at the front?

I’m really proud to be an American as they were down 2 men. Playing with 9 men versus Italy’s 10. Hats off to our goal keeper Keller for being the Man of the Match! Italy down played the US thinking they’d win 5 : 0. McBride had blood on his face after an elbow from opposition. Obviously with our battle against terror, it brings precarious and possible harm to our players in Germany. USA is the only team without a mark so others don’t know where they are in the locker area! I’m proud that we weren’t defeated by the Italians who’d always down play our soccer capabilities with their constant hubris. US showed a lot of heart and soul. They will play Ghana who pulled an upset today against the Czechs. If US wins against Ghana and Italy defeats the Czechs, then the US goes to the next round! Be proud of our colors today as US has never won on European soil. This is bitter sweet as this is similar to a win for us.

like in the Spain Vs Ukraine match the assistant referee was trying to do too much in this game but that is FIFA’s fault cause they have made it clear that they want the assistant referees to be more involved, which can be good or bad, hard to say

I thought Italy did a horrible job playing up 10 – 9 and the U.S. had better chances at scoring than the Italians did. It was weird because before all the bookings and send offs the Italians seemed to have momentum on their side.

Anyways, I have to complain about the U.S. commentary on ABC/ESPN again. I wish I can understand Spanish or that ABC/ESPN would do a better job at the commentary. Is it really that hard to hire some commentators that actually sound excited and understand the game? They only have to broadcast the World Cup every four years, and yet they make us sit through commentators that get a hard on when talking about the U.S. team, doesn’t understand what is happening half the time, and never actually gets into the action of the game.

Yeah … a substitution woulda been nice. Maybe some fresh legs in at the front?

-YES>>>DUH or even at the Back-thats my point. ANYWHERE on the field, down to 9 men-YOU NEED THEM.

Terry T what kind of reasoning is that?

Ghana beat the Czech Republic.

The czechs wiped the floor with the yankees.

Football doesn’t work like that. Every game is fresh from the start.

Commentators should be fired. They are such dumbasses. What is ESPN thinking?

Italy showed no heart. That was a bad game for them. The red card for Pablo was deserved because it was from the side and on the legs, he wasn’t going for the ball at all. He was nowhere near the ball. Was it late, yes. It was dangerous too though with spikes up on Pirlo. The second yellow for Pope was a joke though, not deserved. The officials were horrible all around. Too many offsides that were not offsides.

Overall an exciting game though

wow! so many Americans in India? how! Its 3 AM here.

“but I guess since no one really follows Australian opinion” says Bill of USA. Is it necessary for such inane puerile comments? Everyone has an opinion and should be respected. You may disagree, but don’t put yourself up high on a pedestal and act as the judge of whose opinions counts and whose don’t count when opinions are given in this WC.

“Be proud of our colors today as US has never won on European soil.”

That’s simply not true. They’ve won in Europe THIS YEAR.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=195343&cc=5901

Bla bla bla!!!

I’m just going to say what a football fan should say over a match like this: “GREAT MATCH!”. Entertaining as hell. Give me more!

whose opinions counts and whose don’t count

there is a difference between an opinion and a put down.. opinions always have been respected so far..

the world cup would be way better if cards for acting were implemented. too many italians faked injury and were hauled off the field. then they would jump right up and return to the match. this is a tough sport, play hard or go home.

Excuse me Australia? You’re the one that began the inane nationalistic thread….You don’t seem to have much respect for anything American – but it’s easy to take shots from a place no one has an eye on – I stick to my comment – this should be about football – not your anti-American rant…

I tell u the following :

I do like the Italian Team and i wanted them to win …

BUT ! , wtf were they doing ? Rossi bangs the player head .. ! ?

Zacardo own Scores ..

fuckups from the Forward players … they cant recieve a proper pass !!! wtf italy ?

at the other Hand , USA played well , they were better than Italy and they deserved to WIN , though they Drawed …

Lipi should revise his Lineup , and put n00bs a side for such games …

Good Game , good fun USA .
and dont Listen to those Bahraini’s Idiots … im coming from the same country the just got a big Mouthy …

m0o..

To give ABC/ESPN some credit I think the only decent commentating team is the one with the Irish accent and his partner. Sorry I don’t know his name.

DW: Chris Webber is our bench coach? Perhaps he was trying to call a time out?

Worst. Refereeing. Ever.

I give the USA Team a lot of credit for what they accomplished today against “expected” to be Strong Italian National Team.On another note it was possible for USA to come away with a WIN, but the Referee prevented them from accomplishing that task. The referee “Jorge” should be banned by FIFA, it was a disgrace for the the Game and the Referee ruined.

I don’t care what anyone else says…USA played their heart out this game. Don’t think anyone could have done it better…expecially with such political refereeing (is that spelled right? :))

To his credit. Donovan was absolutely brilliant. Any idea why he doesnt play in Europe? As in why is he sticking to the MLS?

Reyna was brilliant too ..I saw people complaining here about Reyna and I just dont get it!

Moody,

You’re the only Bahrainian here.

Warm regards,
Bahrain

Ok guys, I apologize for my earlier remarks. Everyone could see that the italians were the more indisciplined team. I’m sure the U.S. team will become world champion if justice prevails, what with all the wonderful football they’ve shown us. Good luck with Ghana. I hope you get trashed…
I’m going to bed. You guys make me sleepy. I really can’t bear all the smartness and intelligence you bring to this blog.
See you later.

Well then, Bill, say rant, derogatory comments, insult, etc.,and I will agree with you, but do not say “no one really follows Australian opinion”, because an opinion is an unbiased view. The problem is that there are too many insults on these blog sites and people naturally get offended, but they should not get offended if the statements is unbiased and rationale.

Prashanth: He played briefly last year with Bayer Leverkusen, but became frustrated with his lack of playing time, and also became homesick for California. He requested, and was granted a transfer back to MLS.

Tito – point well taken….

“To his credit. Donovan was absolutely brilliant. Any idea why he doesnt play in Europe? As in why is he sticking to the MLS?”

He crashed out of Europe after doing nothing on the bench for Bayer Leverkusen. If he were a baseball player, we’d call him a quad-A guy. Don’t ask me to explain it, it’d take way too long.

US players have struggled to make an impact in continental Europe, even though they’re prevalent in the English Premiership and Championship.

DGMavn , i hear ya …
saw the Bahrainian flags mate …
did’nt notice the names ..

, u guys did a great job today against Italy ..

cheers bud .
Bed time for me , cant sleep after such n awful game ..

m0o

Well, Pity…Maybe the Hammers could for him! :)

Australia must really be that boring. maybe Great Britian should send them more criminals.

tito jackson was my favorite

just out of curiosity..how many players in the American squad have roots from other countries?

To add to dw’s post, re: Donovan, iirc Donovan was actually under contract to Leverkusen originally, but on loan to MLS. After a good showing in 2002, Leverkusen wanted to recall him to Germany. Once he got there, he pretty much sat the bench for all of the Bundesliga games, despite the fact that Leverkusen was trumpeting his return as a big deal (at least on the English language version of their website). Leverkusen finally gave him some playing time in their Champions League match against Liverpool, where they were soundly thrashed, and Donovan was pretty much scapegoated for the loss, even though he hadn’t played much all year and it was a pretty thorough beating all the way around. That pretty much soured him on the whole Germany experience and led to his requesting to transfer back home.

Prashanth
every american has roots in other countries.

If you are still there, Bill, read Stupid American’s first comment just above. That’s what I call a derogatory and inflammatory comments. Nothing to do with football, just being spiteful, and completely uncalled for.

ah yes..look I know that is true! But for example – Freddie Adu and Ghana.

Prashanth: All of the US team was born in America, except for Pablo Mastroeni (born in Argentina). Oguchi Onyewu’s family is from Nigeria, but the Gooch himself was born in Washington D.C.

ah okay..got it! thanks. Anyway, its 3:30 AM here..I am going to sleep. My opinion of Americans at Soccer has gone up 3 or 4 notches.

Pity majority of the country doesnt think its a beautiful game. :)

Tito – agreed….

Wow, what a result. I think my favorite statistic has been somehow lost, however: if anyone knows the total amount of fouls of the USA and Italy (not combined), could you post it? I remember the Univision guys talking about it at some point around minute 70-80…something like USA 24 fouls to Italy’s 9.
All in all, gross play from both sides, although USA should be happy about the result. I agree with Jeff (and everyone else who said something) about the commentary on ESPN/ABC… thank god I’m Spanish. It’s hard to root for good football and watch a match like that.
Oh, and USA has not scored a goal in this tournament/has not won in Europe yet, no matter how many of us think this is a victory.

go to bed aussie, your political views are that of a “monday morning quarterback”. moot. sweet dreams though, let your huge far more superior brain rest for the night. because tomorrow you a have long day of thinking up insults towards the US.

Prashanth – I think it’s catching on slowly. Good night!

Regardless, we have an incredible day in Group E to look forward to on Thursday. I am now a huge Italy fan. I will be praising every graceful dive and hoping Italy win 3-0 on three dives in the box (or any other way they can do it, obviously I’m joking about diving being their ONLY offensive strategy).

Then of course the U.S. has to beat Ghana. I love people proclaiming that the U.S. will certainly lose to Ghana after what happened today. I will not pick a U.S. win other than as a fan but if the U.S. can hang on to tie an incredibly talented top shelf side like Italy (flops and aggressive fouls aside) there is a decent chance they can beat Ghana.

After the first round, when everyone was proclaiming Czechs to be one of the top teams in the tournament, let alone the group, I was one of the few non-fans to say that Italy are the class of the group because I thought they played very well against an underrated Ghana side.

While I was a bit disgusted at their antics today, I still think Italy are the class of the group and I hope they prove it against the Czechs (and the U.S. pull off a mini-miracle).

Amen, Raybron. Well said. :)

Phred

The final fouls were US 22 Italy 13.

Sorry I’m dredging this up again but it was just such an incredible comment that i can’t let it slip (football related or not) Tito (and bill) – how is an opinion unbiased???? I believe an opinion, by definition, takes the bias of the opinion-maker…no?

Stupid American, I have never insulted the US and do not intend to “have long day of thinking up insults towards the US”, but that doesn’t mean I cannot be critical of you, for you are not representative of the US and the many friends and family I have there. But one thing I can say is you have given yourself the perfect name.

Oh goodness Italty played bad.

tito jackson,
does your toilet really flush backwards? ours flushes counter clockwise. i was at the 53rd state last year and forgot to check

Im an italian, but damn that was a pathetic performance. First off, Del Piero, should not make another appearance in these games. Second off, star Gattuso next game and keep totti and toni on the field. Zaccardo needs to be replaced by grosso, who will add width to the italian defense/midfield. with zambrotta on the other side, italy will be hard to penetrate or beat in the midfield. This was their bad performance of the world cup, dont worry about any of the rest of their games. What I am proud of is the lack of bias calls by the refs against us italians, so far there is no evidence of korea/japan 2002, if we go out, its our own fault this time!!!!

The USA, sorry guys, but you guys do have a filthy team, change your coach and get a less cocky attitude. Look at landon donovan, the guy thinks he is the best in the world, come on, you cant think like that, honestly, have a coup against that entire organization, the fifa rankings have gone to their head. and it shows that when they are getting beaten by other teams they go completely dirty, ie, czech game and italian game.

But I give it to you italy was laying on the ground the whole bloody time, if they did half that and played the game, the would have easily won, Lippi is going to overhall that team, and fix them up for the next game.

Also, keep politics out of soccer. Its pathetic to see, some of you people bringing things up that have nothing to do with the game, get a job and get a life. 50 years or 2000 years of bull dont matter in soccer, play the beautiful game, and stop making it look like shit in your american country… I still recall half the crap people were saying in the US when they played Iran, PATHETIC, be world class and leave politics out of it. BTW I live in the US so I know all of this first hand!!!

If the reffing was correct italy should of won even though they played pretty bad, they recieved about 4 offsides wich wernt even offside, it was a joke.

i agree sub ej ,in the last 10 min. poor coaching…he must have known he had 1 man left to sub, moron!!

“it shows that when they are getting beaten by other teams they go completely dirty”

Wait, you’re commenting on the US, and you’re a fan of the team whose player intentionally that did this:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41780000/jpg/_41780300_mcbride270.jpg

Ok guy. As if we need to be reminded why 99% of the football world outside of italy absolutely abhor the italian style of play.

Oh, and speaking of FILTHY, I think the BBC said it best:

“Seconds later, De Rossi disgraced himself with a sickening, needless elbow on Brian McBride and was given his marching orders.

It was the undoubted low point of a World Cup that has tried so hard to entertain.”

Yes, filthy indeed.

What a gutty performance by the US. Way to bounce back!

The point is the US wanted this game more today. They came out and just took it to the Italians for the 1st 20+ minutes. And were the aggresors for the rest of the match, even when they were down 2 men. Surprised that the Italians did not press their advantage more when they still had 10 men to US 9.

Was this a well officiated game? I’ve seen better. Agree that the ref should have pulled the captains over and told them in no uncertain terms to tone it down. As for the offsides, I only saw 1 instance where it was debateable. Otherwise, the Italy side ran a good tutorial on what is off-sides or had trouble figuring out the US offsides trap, take your pick. I gotta say, I wonder if Luca Toni is not used to being guarded by a fullback his own size.

On the subject of diving, I wish there was less of it in soccer, and would like FIFA to crack down on it more. I was disgusted at how easily the Iranians were knocked down earlier today. Italy wins the award today, though.

Of course this wasn’t a “beautiful” game in some people’s eyes. Then again, neither was Germany-Poland, if I remember right. Italy did not have to play to foul also, it takes two. I’m just estatic that my team came out, played their hearts out and played with passion. That’s all I can expect as a fan, and I salute them for it.

If I was an Italy supporter, I’d be mad too, because my team didn’t come out with fire and didn’t attack enough.

I like the strength and fire the US showed today. Let’s carry that onwards to the Ghana match!

One final note:

I think both Italian and US fans (and football fans in general) can join me in befuddlement at how a ref found guilty of corruption can be at a WC. Amazing.

Perhaps it would have been better, Xris, if I had said “objective opinion”, instead of just “opinion” because by just saying the latter you are right to conclude that “it takes the bias of the opinion maker”, which is a subjective opinion. Naturally, all of this is way of the head of Stupid American, whose has is perplexed in how the toilet flushes in the southern hemisphere. If he points his head towards the south pole by putting his head down the toilet and flushes it then he will see how it flushes Down Under. It’s a very simple way for him to find the solution to his question.

I just want to say that US went to play rugby and that there was a pk on iaquinta,that didn’t dive…
eventually De Rossi was a moron
and red cards for US were absolutely fair

biez

“I just want to say that US went to play rugby and that there was a pk on iaquinta,that didn’t dive…
eventually De Rossi was a moron
and red cards for US were absolutely fair”

Thank you for the wonderful insight, Mr. Lippi. I wish your team great luck in their next match.

How can you say only the US played dirty!?

Who created bloodshed on the field?

It’s funny how everyone was saying the US has no chance against Italy and now everyone is saying the US has no chance against Ghana.

Give credit to them, they really stepped up from the Czech loss!

ps. How did we go from Italy vs USA, to which direction toilets flush in the southern hemisphere?

USA– you played better this game, but please don’t let it get to your head! After all, you only tied Italy and the goal that achieved a tie was an own goal. when England scored an own goal they got criticized by ESPN and everyone for relying on an own goal. I levy that same criticism on the USA — this is the world cup. Your players need to put goals in the net. Second game and we are yet to see a U.S. player put a goal to the net. it hasn;t happened. The USA played decently against a pathetic looking Italian team — but they did not score and they did not win

Ohh yeah– and all the comments about U.S. beating Ghana because the U.S hung on to a draw with Italy is a little unrealistic. don’t forget Ghana beat Czech and czech beat the USA. Ghana scored goals against a lackluster Czech team and the USA scored no goals against a sleeping Italian team. Both the Czech and Italian teams were lacking today — but the italians were more lacking than the czech.

be optimistic — but be optimistic within reason — just because you tied on a game with a MIA Italian game, based on an own goal the italians gave you guys, does not mean you have now arrived. Just my two cents.

very simple, Jono, read the bias, inane and insulting comments from Stupid American

I’m pretty sure 95% of the US fans here are saying look Ghana are a very good side but we have hope and confidence.

I love how even before this game commenters are basically making up this huge contingent of US fans who are certain the US will win. Has anyone here said “US WILL KICK GHANA’S ASS FOR SURE NOW”?

No, but let’s look at some the anti-US comments of near-certainty:

“If Italy did beat Ghana 2-0
and if the Czechs did beat USA 3-0, and if Ghana just beat Czech Rep 2-0… that most probably means that Italy will kill USA [and their “war” smack]”

“in my opinon the CZECH REPUBLIC and GHANA deserve, should, and WILL go through to the second round…”

“Italy will win this and Ghana will beat the US on Thursday. Mark my word.”

“YAY!!!!!….Ghana beats…nay…slaughters…the US next game…the czech murder the italians….and everyone is happy”

All the US fans have been saying is Ghana is missing strikers so maybe we have a good shot, not nearly as cocky as the anti-US comments. And if fans can’t have hope for their team no matter what (and Ghana is certainly no powerhouse, as much as I’ve loved their performances, even against Italy) well then there isn’t much point to being a football fan unless you live in Brazil is there?

“Thank you for the wonderful insight, Mr. Lippi. I wish your team great luck in their next match”

I mean a bunch of people is whining bout the cards,but be honest,you deserved that..Italy played a bad game,and draw against a “great US”(at least so it seems..).kinda funny..

oh and by the way, if it wasn’t for an own goal USA would have lost 1-0. Am I the only one to notice the USA has not scored a goal yet in these world cup games — yet suddenly they think they are now a great team?

Finally an exciting game to watch! It was the Italians game to lose, and it looks like they blew it. So far, still no offense from the US, but they did well to hold the Italians off with only 9 men.

I must say the conversation here became rather petty and childish early on. Please keep politics, national insults, and broad sweeping generalizations out of the disccusions from now on!

This is exactly why non Americans alwasy root for the team that’s up against the U.S — the U.S. is kinda arrogant. next thing we know, they’re gonna be saying the #5 ranking is accurate based on their performance today!!

“oh and by the way, if it wasn’t for an own goal USA would have lost 1-0. Am I the only one to notice the USA has not scored a goal yet in these world cup games”

Um, no you are only about the eighth person to notice that and comment on it. Over/under on how many more people who won’t read anything and then post that like it’s an insight is now at 5.

As far as the US “thinking they are a great team” NOW, where do you get this from? I listened to the past-game comments and Reyna said US just wanted to have chance to qualify and now they need to perform against a great Ghana side. Gee, what an arrogant ass. He should have taken the cue of several of the US-haters on here and just said “OMG WE SUX WE HAVEN’T EVERY SCORD A GOL OURSELVES AND WE PLAY RUGBY STYLE WE SHOULD JSUT NOT EVEN SHOW UP AGIANST GHANA WHO WILL BEAT US 5-NIL IF WE ARE LUCKY.”

You Americans should really keep politics out of soccer. I have to say that some of you American fan boys are the most ignorant and thickheaded ones out there (remember, I said SOME OF YOU). You guys do whatever it takes to insult others who in turn have no intention of insulting you back. Latest example being “Stupid American” vs. “Tito” debate above.

Really immature but I guess his name, Stupid American, justifies his comments.

Ps- For the neutral, this was indeed an entertaining game. I’ve got a feeling that one of the two sides which were suppose to progress (Italy and Czech) will be eliminated. Next week matches should be real interesting…can’t wait.

It may sound crazy, but i would like to congratulate the USA with their remarkable performance. This is real football! This was the most exciting game so far! Ok, a little dirty, from both sides, but with lots of action and at times good football. As a fan of the attacking style (like the Netherlands, Argentina, England and in this worldcup also Germany) i hate cattanagio italian style, so it was good to see the USA start with an all forward game.
I also disagree with many other bloggers that Italy deserved to win. Crap, they didnt and the only real goal that was disqualified, was from Damarkus Beasly in the second half, so really the USA deserved to win. I told many US-bloggers after the first game that they still had a change to make the second round. And they still have! So, cheer up, and go for it against Ghana, a game i will be watching with great interest. Thats what worldcup football is all about.

V

“they’re gonna be saying the #5 ranking is accurate based on their performance today!!”

Fifa is treatin US exactly as a “third world” football team puttin them in that place,only to make the soccer movement grow and to make more $$$$$

It’s hard to see how anyone could think the US plays dirty when it was McBride that got bloodied. As far as I could tell, there were no Italian injuries, but lots of dramatic acting. Fouls are just fouls, and they’re part of the game. You take them and you are penalized. Intentionally injuring someone is another matter.

No one said the US is a great team…I said we came a long way from the loss from Czech. I dont see why anyone would take insult to that. I’m not being cocky or inflated. Almost everyone said the USA would be CRUSHED by Italy, but we managed to tie which is a great accomplishment for the USA. Even if we lost by 1-0 that still wouldn’t have been a crushing defeat, like most predicted. I honestly thought between 25-75 into the game, the US were dominating. Feel free to counter that, but keep it clean and constructive.

Good luck on your next game U.S.– but i’ll be rooting for Ghana!! The U.S has at least saved some face though and even though they haven’t scored yet, they didn’t lose 6-0 like S&M

“I honestly thought between 25-75 into the game, the US were dominating. Feel free to counter that, but keep it clean and constructive. ”

I think US dominated between o-30,then Italy scored (2 times :/ ) and the match went equilibrated till 55th minute.. then US disappeared
I think they gave all in the first half (mistaking) and putting the match in that weird way we saw by being really TOO rough and hyperactive in the first part of the match
p.s. sorry for my english :D

Jono, i agree with you. I would even go so far as saying: Well done, USA! They still have chances and allthough their qualities are nothing like Brazil (the team i forgot to mention befoor among the best teams so far) but are surely a lot of fun to watch.

I was most disappointed with Italy’s play. The USA also didn’t impress me. The best thing about this result is that all four teams in the group have a chance to the next round, so the next matches will be do or die for all four – more than interesting, and if I am correct they will be played at the same time

Whatever you saw out there today WAS NOT real football. That was a pathetic show put on by two teams that played as disgusting as possible. The US were the more dirty of the two, no matter what De Rossi did. (remember America is the Home of WWF, these players probably carry around razor blades like their WWE counterparts!!!!)

But give bruce arena credit for one smart call. Tackle the italians, if it isnt counted as a foul, they will still role around on the ground. Brilliant, Americans wraslting Italians Diving, Brilliant!!!Good show of what football is about!!!.

Just to reply to an earlier comment, about how (sarcasticly put) 99% of the world loves italian football. Every Coach and player since 1960 – now wants or wanted to play or coach in italy, thats where you learn the appropriate technical aspects of football. Look at appiah, for Ghana as an example. If you think the English FA is the pinnacle, you DO NOT know your football at all!!.

Finally, it was a pathetic game, those that think it was good, get your heads out of your arses, there was nothing good about any of this game. Two teams played awful. To fix US football, cut down on the television interviews by abc, and the amount of Xbox playing, get your heads out of your arses, change the coach (bring in someone from europe) have you players play in other leagues not only the MLS (which isnt a good judge of character) and dont listen to fifa rankings.

Italy if you are to win the world cup, spend less time roling on the ground, get the F*ck off the ground and run, be hungry for every touch (the US was today, but not even that much, but still much more than italy) stop wasting roster spots on injured or pathetic old players (totti, del piero) pick the talent in the country, ie Lucarelli, DEVELOPE MIDFIELD PLAYERS… Im sorry but since 1998, italy has lacked midfield players, the us exploited this as did ghana, there are far better players in midfield that are not even there, ie, barone. PLAY GROSSO along with Zambrotta, dont leave Grosso on the bench, he is needed badly!!! and zambrotta is versitile, he can go to the other side.

Football, or soccer like what we have seen today isnt for the world cup, be assured De Rossi isnt going to make an appearance again in this world cup, but do NOT characterize one play as a sign of a nation, thats simply rascist.

One last thing, Italy and England are in the same boat, they picked the rosters of both teams Blindly, this will hurt both unless proven otherwise!!!

Hey,

This is really cool. And Bob, you still haven’t gave me any feeds from Germany!

See ya around,

Nick “ESPN Nut”

ESPN Nut’s Sports Blog

Look, the Americans here are excited that the US hung in there today and played respectably, but believe me, none of us is “arrogant” or deluding themselves about the US team’s abilities.

Whoever said upthread that we should keep politics out of soccer is absolutely right. There are a few jackasses out there like Stupid American, but please just ignore them. People like that engage in name-calling because they have no other argument.

very true, about the politics and soccer… it isnt about anything like that, and everyone has those bad marks (people who enjoy saying dumb things) in their respective countries!

“If you think the English FA is the pinnacle, you DO NOT know your football at all!!.”

No, you’re right, La Liga and the Premiership are both better than Serie A. Well, unless you happen to be Italian or like fixing matches (or, preferably both). Sorry, you couldn’t pay most non-Italian football fans to watch the crap that is Serie A. If the style doesn’t bore you to death (particularly pathetic when compared to La Liga’s exquisite play) then the fact that you can’t really trust that any of the outcomes are legitimate should do it.

the u.s. fans are understandably happy their team did not lose. But i agree with whoever said this was a poor game. On balance, the U.S played better than Italy. there’s no excuse for italy to lose to the U.S, if they have way more talent on their team than the U.S team does. So if the U.S draws its because they played better.

A record number of comments , surely!

lovely response considering the 2002 world cup proved to everyone that the world of football is RIGGED all the way through the ranks.

Bringing up a scandel that, mark my words, will begin to take route in other leagues in europe, is a pathetic attempt to prove an argument.

What is evident, is that most players in the world cup come from Serie A, and not the english FA. The Spanish league, is fine and a legitamate second best. that has really no merit. the italian league is still more watched than any other league. But as I have said before, believe whatever you want to believe, you do live in a british colony!

The US showed great heart out there. Italy didnt deserve to win or even get a point!

agreed.. Italy was Awful, no more no less, they brought players that should have stayed home.

Marco, you agreed with Jen in Boston that we should keep politics out of soccer by saying “very true, about the politics and soccer”, but then further down in another comment you say “believe whatever you want to believe, you do live in a british colony!’. Isn’t this a political statement. What has this comment got to do with football. Let’s all stick to football. We are all here to enjoy the games. We can criticise the players, the coaches, the referees, the tactics, but LET’S NOT GET PERSONAL.

Who would of thunk, still a chance of meeting Brazil in the next round. Most excellent!! I thought we played much better today, mostly because we gave up the midfield and focused on the two ends. Too bad we can’t do both (did you see Argentina?? amazing). Anyhow great to still have a chance.

Right on Stephan, get your history straight! Ever heard of colonialism?? Stealing so called ” 3rd World Countrys” resources and leave them with nothing but a dirt field and a ball.

To answer some questions:

1) Donovan tried playing in Germany, but a) missed his fiancee, b) missed southern california (very different from Leverkusen, Germany), and c) had some bad first games and was benched.

I wish Donovan would play in Europe; I think he’d be a better player, but if he can show up like he did against Italy I’m not gonna complain.

2) Pablo Mastroeni is of Argentine descent, but he moved to teh US when he was 4 years old. He learned the game in teh US, and that is the most important part.

Freddy Adu moved to teh US when he was 10 (of younger). He also learned the game here.

Claudio Reyna’s dad is argentine (he played for Independiente) and his mom is Portuguese. Claudio was born in the US and atually played college soccer for Bruce Arena. (For 3 years)

The US is a nation of immigrants, so none of thus is surprising. However, none of these players learned the game in foreign countries (like the Mexican duo fo Franco and Zinha) and then nationalized because they couldn’t even be water boys for their original countries.

‘The most exciting game so far’ or so proclaimed by the Fifaworldcup.com site.

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060617/1/7s1m.html

Look, I am an unabashed US fan and I applaud their spirit and effort today, but I won’t go this far.

Select nuggets:
“Fantastic! That was the most exciting and intense game of the FIFA World Cup™ so far. Both teams were tactically excellent and served up a thrilling spectacle for the fans.”
Tactically excellent? That’s a stretch.

“The coaches too deserve credit for their reaction to the dismissals. Both were forced to improvise and acted swiftly to re-organise their teams and revise their strategy. I have to pay tribute to the tactical capability of Marcello Lippi and Bruce Arena.”
?? I’m not sure what to say…

“Overall, a draw was the right result. Both teams maintained their chances of progressing to the next round and can be pleased with their performance.”
Perhaps the Italy (and their fans) not quite as pleased as the US contigent.

“We have seen many fantastic games so far, but this was one of the absolute highlights.”
Anyone not fans of Italy or USA want to chime in on if it was that good of a game?

Hmm, the writing on FIFA’s website is as good as that refree was in today’s game! (rimshot!) All kidding aside, if FIFA looks at things like this through their rose-colored glasses this begins to explain why the US got an absurd ranking of #5.

Wow, I can’t believe how many replies are here. This just proves the SOCCER IS KING theory, a sport played in almost every country of the world. Ask Stephan if the advertisers on the World Cup channels think that soccer is a big sport. They’re paying through the nose to be on during the Copa Mundial.

Stephan, what can I say, you have a dirty mouth, totally unnecessary and shows your lack of sophistication and culture.

The US has long been too involved in its own world of sports, but it is a good thing that the US is finally inching its way into FUTBOL. It will take many decades for the US to be in the class of BRASIL and DEUTSCHLAND.

I predict the finals will be BRASIL and DEUTSCHLAND.

LONG LIVE SOCCER AND THE WORLD CUP, THANK YOU ESPN AND UNIVISION FOR SHOWING ALL THE GAMES.

I was dissapointed in DeMarcus Beasley’s effort. He comes in part way throught the 2nd half; appears to be laying back; does not pursue on defense and with the rest of the team fatigued, put forth little energy. Arenas was right to bench him, and I say keep him there. Substitutes have a double duty; to prove themselves and to lift their teammates with their energy; DMB did neither. He played like he was as tired as the starters.

Jack,

Sky Sports leads with, “Ten-man Italy drew 1-1 with the nine-men of USA in a combustible, highly-entertaining Group E clash on Saturday evening.” Marca called it “un partido violento”, a violent game, but also “un partido vibrante”, which I would take to mean exciting.

I certainly thought it was an entertaining match but I was too nervous to judge impartially. (I also have to admit, I was dividing my attention between the match and a poker game.)

Etucker,
You mentioned Reyna and the other player country of origin, but I don’t know where Freddy Adu came from. Did you forget to mention it or was it deemed unimportant? I would like to know.

Adu is from Ghana, ironically.

Waiting for George W to call the ref of the US/Ghana game:
“better take care of my boys”.

Here’s how the USA is doing so far.. 0 goals against Czech Rep, 0 goals against Italy (own goals don’t count!)
I wonder when the USA will score a goal…

As a German living in the US (yes, I do have my green card), I just want to say that the US earned a lot of credibility today. The red card on Italy wasn’t a question (and he should be banned for the tournament). The red card (first) on the US, even if technically maybe correct, showed lack of judgment by the referee. The second (based on two yellows on Eddie Pope) was a very, very poor decision by the ref. The US showed great resiliency and were the better team overall. Now, can my other favorite team (after Germany and U.S) provide some celebrations (Go SOCCEROOS). Got my Aussie flag out tonight for the game.

When the CR and Italy play, all they have to do is draw 0-0, and the US is automatically eliminated, unless they beat Ghana by 4 points. And they will probably do this, because it’s the European buddy-buddy kind of thing to do. :P The risk is that if they do draw and Ghana beats the US, then Italy will be eliminated.

Even if CR beats Italy by 1 point, and the US beats Ghana, the US will still not advance without a 4 point goal differential against Ghana.

However, if Italy beats CR by any margin, the US can beat Ghana by any margin and qualify (only to play Brazil).

If Italy does not play hard against CR, then we can conclude there is a personal thing against the US qualifying. :P

To summarize, here’s probably the only feasible way for the US to advance:

Italy beats Czech Rep.
US beats Ghana.

They’ll be playing at the same time, so won’t know the result of the other. Should be interesting!

Yipee!! The US draws with Italy.

***NOTE: Nothing in this comment hasn’t been said somewhere in the 1,000 previous comments….But, I’ve got to let off some steam***

I’m squirmin’ with happiness because our final match will mean something.

However, I’ve got a serious concern that we can’t score.

That Uruguayian ref was teeeerible.

The US played fantastic.

Bruce Arena needs to explain why EJ wasn’t brought on!

It seems like Italy always have one finger on the self-destruct button. First, spitting Totti in Euro 2004 (he was spared his saliva by an early substitution), now Zaccardo’s own goal and di Rossi’s elbow. Perhaps its a way of giving a handicap to their opponents!

USA were much better this time round and were worth their point. But I don’t quite fancy their chances against Ghana, who did to the Czech Republic what the Czech Republic did to USA.

Likely outcome:

USA draws Ghana.
Italy draws Czechs.

Both Italy (5 pts) and Czechia (4 pts) qualify with the Czechs pipping Ghana by goal difference. That is unless Ghana beats USA (quite likely), or USA beats Ghana by 4 goals (a tall order).

Woohoo! We didn’t lose! I missed the entire 2nd half (was at the White Sox v Reds game). Still no finishing, but that’s the effort that should have been there all along. We’re still alive, so it’s a good result. Hope we can find some goals against Ghana.

I believe the inspiration from today’s game will carry over. One of the two prohibitive favorites (Italy or CR) will not advance from this group. U.S. has a chance, albeit small, but if they play with the style they did today, it’s possible.

CR has to play for a win. They can’t rely on a US-Ghana draw. That means Italy will have to play defense to preserve a tie (all they need). Their defense is not as solid as in years past. I think Italy will be under great pressure

i’m pleased with how the US did play today. italy could have done much better to be honest, but they are fighting a team that, in spite of being shunned by the world and their own country (a lot of americans are completely indifferent to soccer and the world cup) performed remarkable today.

i think we all can agree that the referee was horrible, but that is a part of soccer that you have to deal with. the first red card against the US was very very questionable. however, the second against pope was the right call, dispite how much i don’t want to say that. pope deserved that 2nd yellow card (and therefore the red). however, what i don’t understand is how that one got the yellow while masteoroni got the red straight ahead. it was completely inconsistant. was it deserving a yellow? yes, but not the red. that’s basically a death sentence. and yes, i’ve actually had my leg broken by a tackle, so yes i know how it feels. soccer is a very physical game, and injuries are bound to happen when playing physical. but there is a difference between physical and violent. the american was physical, not violent.

all in all the ref was calling it very poorly, on both sides. italy could have played better, but against a tough US team i would be happy with a tie if i were italy. don’t pretend that the US team is some 2nd rate club. they are a very very talented squad. deserving 5th in the world? probably not, but they are by far up there (i personally would put them at 10).

one thing for certain though: thursday just became very very interesting.

ref. for the USA vs Italy game is a paid ref./why can’t fifa board-implement rules for ref’s also -anyone ref. has always had some power over the out come of a game! when is so blatent–why can not the ref. be sited with a red card –suspend him for the rest of the cup series,and depending on the seriousness of the offense a 2yr. hold on his world cup /2nd offense like this man—ban him for life !!!

lovely response considering the 2002 world cup proved to everyone that the world of football is RIGGED all the way through the ranks.

Bringing up a scandel that, mark my words, will begin to take route in other leagues in europe, is a pathetic attempt to prove an argument.

What is evident, is that most players in the world cup come from Serie A, and not the english FA. The Spanish league, is fine and a legitamate second best. that has really no merit. the italian league is still more watched than any other league. But as I have said before, believe whatever you want to believe, you do live in a british colony!

Then why is it that the preimership has the second best player in the world, thierry henry, and the spanish league has the best, ronaldinho? Also why is it that a club from the british league and one from the spanish league met in the champions league final? I’m sorry I think you’re wrong. Marco

Patti, are you a Bush appointee to some position? Get over it. People are fallible.

aaron; a short sighted answer to the realities. If wither one of those leagues were the best, their nations would win. Doen’t happen, and it won’t. Brazil (first); Germany (second) and Italy (third); that’s the real rankings in WC and it has nothing to do with the European leagues.

What does an opinion of the ref have to do with Bush? Whether you sympathize with the Weather Underground or the Posse Comitatus, it’s reasonable to have strong opinions about the ref in today’s game without having a political motivation. Please stick to futbol!

As for CZE, will Baros be healthy for the Italy match?

If Baros is out; plus Koller still isn’t fit; and Lokvenc out on two yellows, then without a designated goalscorer, I think that their chances are in trouble.

I know, I know: some would say that Nedved, Rosicky, and Poborsky provide ALOT of offense. But they sure didn’t look too effective today.

Plus, Ujfalusi is out on a red card, hurting their defense.

This, at least, gives the US the hope that if it takes care of its business, then it’s got a chance to advance.

Great stuff last night, US. I am of Italian heritage but wouldn’t piss on the diving Italian handbaggers or their arrogant fans if they were on fire. One for the underdogs! Keep it up.

“unless Ghana beats USA (quite likely), or USA beats Ghana by 4 goals (a tall order)”

Unlikely for Ghana to beat USA? Did you not watch how Ghana beat CR yesterday? It was an awesome game. It could have been worst if not for the CR’s goalkeeper.

I couldn’t participate, because I was drunk and enjoying this horrible match at a bar at the time, but it makes me sad to read this blog.

I hope the US conitinues to play the tough marking defense against Ghana. This we have proven ourselves in today. Sometimes you have to break-up the flow of the game by being phisical. It is not finesse Football. It is Football though. Contact football is winning Football. Ghana can attack and they have lots of speed and take passes beautifuly on the fly. We must disrupt the flow and hope they score an own GOAL. Maybee we can get ome too. GO USA!

Agreed Foobar, it was a typical US (Patti) response when things arent going the US’s way. Perhaps you can understand that.

U.S. won the neutral fans support today, no doubt. It was a great game for the U.S. Italy was the lesser team today

Since we’re on the subject of politics, I heard today that the government of Ghana offered $20,000USD to each player if they won a game. Apparently they will receive the money if the promise was true.

If the US wants to be serious about the sport, what if the US government put big money stakes into it? I think we’d see a different result. If capturing Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed was worth $25 million, then so is doing what it takes to advance from Group E. :P

Flopping is so common it is almost funny. Italy and Argentina are some of the best. FIFA keeps trying to stop it but it is sooo effective anyway. They fly, flop and roll to influence the ref. It works. Just like phisical play works. If you touch any quality foreward in the world he will flop in the box. He has been rewarded too often not to. Flopping is supposed to be bad and bring a card too. I noticed Ghana does not do much acting. This could benefit the US. The Italians love the stretcher. They are too good at rything and stopping play. The ref. started to cry today in sympathy. I was touched myself. I’m not blaming this ref. but Germany has won so many WOLD CUPS with phisical play it is part of this Tournament. Just like flopping.

The best players play in the british and spanish leagues. Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo in his prime, and now Ballack. These are just a few.

You guys are still at it? Geez, the rest of the world is getting ready for Brazil-Australia, and we’re still on this?

I feel a need to poke a hole in this fallacy:

“the italian league is still more watched than any other league.”

Not even. It’s not the best attended league in Europe. It’s fourth, behind the Bundesliga, Premiership, and La Liga. It has a nice TV contract, but more people watch the Premiership now.

“CR has to play for a win. They can’t rely on a US-Ghana draw. That means Italy will have to play defense to preserve a tie (all they need)”

Problem is that an Italy tie and a Ghana win puts the Italians in E2 to be whumped by Brazil. E1 will give them either Croatia or Australia. A tie is nice, but if Italy is really interested in winning the Cup this time around, they better beat the Czechs.

The nice thing is that the Czechs aren’t going to shake hands with the Italians and settle for the draw, not with Ghana or the US in a position to take away their pass to the knockouts.

Thursday is going to be a wild, wild day.

Go Socceroos! Love Australia, and if then win or draw, party at my house!

US has a chance! This will be great!

I am getting excited for the Australia-Brazil game. How can you not cheer for a team with the nickname socceroos?

Here’s the scenarios that would have to happen for the US to advance.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5704208

All require the US to beat Ghana. Interestingly, the US can advance if Czech wins. But the margain of victory for US and the Czech has to be 6 total.

Go Aussies! Sombody has to chalange Brazil. Let’s get phisical!

buffon 8
canavaro 7
nesta 9-was very good today
zacardo 4
zambrotta 7
pirlo 10 -He played so well,what a good player
perrotta 6
totti 5-pooooooor perfomance del piero shold have replaced him……
de rossi 3
toni 6
gilardino 7
del piero 9-he should have started the match ,very good performance by del piero,had some good shots

Dirk: you aren’t making sense:

-you say the second red was technically correct. Full stop. If it’s technuically correct, why should anything else matter? Do the USA deserve special privileges?

-you say that the 2 yellow cards decision was “ridicolous”. How exactly? Is the referee expected to give a second yellow, and then tell the player to remain on the pitch? No, 2 yellows = a red. Full stop.

Akbar; You don’t seem to undesrtand the game in it’s full complexity. Of course a foul is a foul, but a ref should sense when a yelloe should really be shown. This red was clueless. This was very poor refereeing all the way.

Go Socceroos. And may France and Switzerland be both eliminated (having played the worat WC game we’ve experienced to date

Hey! Dirk, thanks for the invitation, great guy, friendly, that’s what I like. I’ll be at your house for the party and bring some great Aussie wine, but, um, eh, will you pay for the airfare?

Congratulations to the American team who put up an amazing game against the Italians in this “roller coaster” feel like game!

I am happy that the that the game ended as a draw. In the last 35 minutes, Italy supposedly should have had control of the game when they had an advantage of an extra player in the field, but the American team put all its efforts to this 1-1 outcome. This is a good thing for the Italians which reminded them that they were not the best in their group; and I am sure this lesson will lead them to a better performance in their next match against the Czechs.

The US-Italy match was indeed very tough, but many of us agree that Jorge Larrionda is a terrible referee who lacks judgement. The second card for Pope which lead to red card was totally unecessary.

Let me remind you that during the 2003 Confederations Cup, the same Uruguayan referee awarded a controversial penalty kick against the Americans against Turkey.

All China wishes the Americans good luck in their next match!

Ulli G,
That is a good one!!

To sum it up and save time and energy. This how’s going to end.

Brazil will Play italy in the next round and Ghana will play Australia. Go figure

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i wish both of them good luck, who will in the next round????

Good start by both the teams initially,but after sometime the match was very bad & i was pist off,Though Italy played well in the last games,their performance was not upto the mark with U.S.A.Being Totti banned for the past matches,i expected a goal from him against U.S.A match,but he had vey bad day & the foul he committed was bad.I Pray to god that he should be included in the coming games.Good luck for all.

There’s no justice this world cup. That TERRIBLE ref should never be allowed to ref another game. I have no respect for those diving babies from ghana. And the P K…. Someone in FIFA better make a big deal about that. that took all our momentum away and ruined any chances of a second round game. These refs are making soccer Joca Ugly.

I need to find a picture of the only Italian fan singing the anthem in his underpants. Do any of you know what I can get that?