Alive, and still kicking
It wasn't pretty out there today. It was bloody, tiring, and at times comically tragic. And in the end the US and Italy emerged exhausted. The final score: 1-1.
USA started out the game playing aggressively. They played hungry, with a gleam in their eyes that we did not see in the earlier match against the Czechs. And so they set a good tempo for the first 20 minutes, with strong passing in midfield and they began to put the pressure on the Italians. But Italy is not a championship team for nothing. Solid defense and stellar ball control allowed them to mount several crisp counter-attacks. They soon took the lead off a very nicely executed free kick in the first half. Soon afterwards, however, that same stellar defense made a critical error as they accidentally scored on themselves. The game was destined to remain tied.
There were no more goals, but there were several more penalties. An amazing three red cards were issued in this game. The first one came soon after the Italian goal, when an elbow caught McBride on the cheek and cut him open. For a brief moment it seemed that the US would have a good chance of winning this game. But soon Maestroni was ejected for a late tackle. The game was now 10 on 10. But soon after the start of the second half the USA was dealt a tragic blow, as Eddie Pope received his second yellow card and was also ejected.
Side note: The refs have been way too strict this entire tournament. They need to let up a little bit. Some of this stuff was really not red card violation worthy.
It was now 9 on 10. The US team still managed to get a few shots on goal, but more importantly they were able to hold the championship caliber Italian team to zero points in the second half, despite being a man down. By the end everyone on both teams was just plain exhausted -- you could see it in their play, and in the way they limped off the field. Still, for the US it was worth it. This tie, added the the Ghana upset over the Czechs, means the US is still alive. If we win against Ghana, and the Italians beat the Czechs, I think we're golden.
Next game: 7am on Thursday (PST). USA vs. Ghana. Interestingly, I think the Czech vs. Italy game happens simultaneously. Should be a fun morning to watch soccer.
It wasn't pretty out there today. It was bloody, tiring, and at times comically tragic. And in the end the US and Italy emerged exhausted. The final score: 1-1.
USA started out the game playing aggressively. They played hungry, with a gleam in their eyes that we did not see in the earlier match against the Czechs. And so they set a good tempo for the first 20 minutes, with strong passing in midfield and they began to put the pressure on the Italians. But Italy is not a championship team for nothing. Solid defense and stellar ball control allowed them to mount several crisp counter-attacks. They soon took the lead off a very nicely executed free kick in the first half. Soon afterwards, however, that same stellar defense made a critical error as they accidentally scored on themselves. The game was destined to remain tied.
There were no more goals, but there were several more penalties. An amazing three red cards were issued in this game. The first one came soon after the Italian goal, when an elbow caught McBride on the cheek and cut him open. For a brief moment it seemed that the US would have a good chance of winning this game. But soon Maestroni was ejected for a late tackle. The game was now 10 on 10. But soon after the start of the second half the USA was dealt a tragic blow, as Eddie Pope received his second yellow card and was also ejected.
Side note: The refs have been way too strict this entire tournament. They need to let up a little bit. Some of this stuff was really not red card violation worthy.
It was now 9 on 10. The US team still managed to get a few shots on goal, but more importantly they were able to hold the championship caliber Italian team to zero points in the second half, despite being a man down. By the end everyone on both teams was just plain exhausted -- you could see it in their play, and in the way they limped off the field. Still, for the US it was worth it. This tie, added the the Ghana upset over the Czechs, means the US is still alive. If we win against Ghana, and the Italians beat the Czechs, I think we're golden.
Next game: 7am on Thursday (PST). USA vs. Ghana. Interestingly, I think the Czech vs. Italy game happens simultaneously. Should be a fun morning to watch soccer.
posted by slithytoves at 4:34 AM
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