World Cup USA vs. Italy: Starts at 2:30

[meow2u3]

Even if the United States loses to Italy, we won't be eliminated from the World Cup. Thanks to Ghana beating the Czech Republic, we still have hope, win, lose, or draw.

Time to :party: Go USA

:patriot:

[Anarcho-Socialist]

1. Kick! I hope the US wins this one

:)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. The group would truly become the Group of Death if that happens.

Everybody tied in points goint into the last round. Ooooo boy.

[VolcanoJen]

3. Italy just struck... 1-0

Team USA is looking good, though, and I'm not writing them off.

[meow2u3]

4. Tied 1-1 after the half

Each team had one red card. The red card by the Italian guy who bloodied O'Brien was deserved; the US guy's red card was a bullshit one which was sheer payback!

[TexomaDem]

5. the first U.S. red card

was well deserved. He went in cleats first, and got nothing but the guys leg/ankle. the ball was five feet away. The announcer, who I think you're are paraphrasing, is full of shyte.

[VolcanoJen]

6. It doesn't take an announcer to tell anyone that red card was bullshit

He did not go in cleats UP, which is supposedly the standard. It was a make-up card for De Rossi's deserved elbow to McBride.

It was a late tackle and deserving of a yellow card, which has been as far as refs have been willing to reach for a late tackle in every World Cup match so far.

[TexomaDem]

8. well deserved, it was

""He did not go in cleats UP""

The slow-mo replay on my dvr clearly shows him going in cleats first. His heel hit right on the guys ankle. The Italian guy is lucky that he doesn't have a broken ankle. It was a dangerous foul. If Mastroeni had gone in with his foot extended, it would not have been a red card.

[VolcanoJen]

9. I totally disagree

It was not egregious. It was incidental, late contact which deserved a yellow card.

I'm listening to German coverage on the world band and they think the red card was nutso and "make-up" too.

[TexomaDem]

12. we'll have to agree to disagree

The slow-mo replay I watched 3-4 times tells me otherwise.

And don't expect an unbiased opinion from German announcers, when it comes a to game involving the Italians.

[VolcanoJen]

15. Even the ITALIAN announcer feels the referee was atrocious.

Jorge Larrionda wasn't permitted to ref the '02 World Cup, due to "irregularities" under objection by other refs.

Who wants to bet Larrionda just did his last officiating of the '06 World Cup?

[TexomaDem]

19. they "lost" on an own goal

For Italy, a tie with the U.S. is like a loss. Of course they're gonna be upset. They're probably saying that elbow didn't deserve a red card.

But it still doesn't change what I saw on the replay.

[TexomaDem]

21. BBC has this...

""Moments later, Mastroeni was off too. His two-footed, reckless lunge on Pirlo was deserving of a red card and left referee Jorge Larrionda with little option.""

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853182.stm

[brentspeak]

18. I will say this: Mastroeni was stupid to act so aggresively on that play

USA had the upper hand, no need to take foolish chances with a hard tackle -- especially when you know the referees are handing out cards like a blackjack dealer.

[Lavender Brown]

7. This game is crazy

[VolcanoJen]

10. This match is freaking crazy-EXCITING!

Gotta love it. Most physical match with most shots-on-goal of the Cup so far!!

[fishwax]

11. This is great stuff

I hope they can hold on! :bounce:

[Meshuga]

13. USA deserve the win

Card happy ref took the victory away from the US.

[KFC]

14. Thank you

I have a problem with the refs.

[brentspeak]

16. Proud of Team USA

They didn't fold after Italy scored the first goal, and they hung in there despite the referee's atrocious red-cards against Pope and Pablo.

[ps1074]

17. If only they played like that the first game

I don't know what Arena told them between the two games but it did make the difference. I don't think the ref did anything on purpose. It is just the way he sees in on the field. Don't forget that FIFA president Blater was on the stadium watching this game.

Good news is that a win against Ghana will almost certainly guarantee a place in the next round. That is unless the other game ends in a draw but I think both everyone will play for a win as nobody wants to meet Brasil next round.

[Blue_Tires]

20. i gotta admit

i'm one of those 'america haters,' but even i have to say the USA earned crazy respect today...a very gutsy performance by Keller and the rest

[musiclawyer]

22. I'm Furious at Bruce Arena

I'm sitting there sipping a beer at half time assuming Eddie Pope would be subbed. This is the world cup finals. He's carrying one yellow already. You don't risk a second yellow. You just don't. And it helps that I think Eddie Pope is old and slow. And what's with leaving a tired and old Brian McBride in the game, the whole game. He missed an easy shot and caught caught offside because he's tired and isn't moving. . Against Ghana, Eddie Pope is gone--good. McBride should sit. Then USA has a chance.

[brentspeak]

23. I was thinking the same thing about Pope

I was also expecting Eddie Johnson to start alongside McBride. Also, Arena was taking a huge risk in the last ten minutes by keeping Reyna on the field; he was even more exhausted than McBride. Arena had one sub remaining that he didn't use. At least he had the good sense to finally put Donovan in his natural position (attacking midfield), and to put an experienced fullback in the left back position, instead of a midfielder (Eddie Lewis).

[musiclawyer]

24. I agree. I'm still in shock

This should have been 3 points.... Here's what I do for Ghana.
Sit Bobby Convey. He's not ready. Beasley instead, in his natural position. O'Brien for Pablo. Conrad for Pope. Wolff AND Johnson up top running until they can't. Let McBride come in off the bench as he often does successfully for his club team. Reyna has to start. But yank him as soon as he's slowing down. Bring in Ching and slide Donovan even deeper. Bring in Eddie Lewis at his natural position as the last sub ( assuming Beasley has run into the ground) If all three subs are used next Thurs, Arena should be gone right away--no waiting around.