U.S bounces back against Italy

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:31:12 GMT

After an ugly 3-0 loss to the Czeck Republic the U.S. Men's National Soccer team was a sports obituari waiting to be written. With there backs up against the wall the U.S. faced a very strong and powerful Italian team. Though the U.S found themselves down 10 players to 9 in a chippy game they managed to settle for a 1-1 tie. The U.S fell behind one nothing in the 29th minute when Gilardino Alberto scored off a free kick by Cristian Zaccardo cause by Pablo Mastroeni. Zaccardo wouldn't be finsihed yet, after a Claudia Reyna cross off a free kick Cristian Zaccardo misplayed the ball and it trickled into his own net. Letting U.S slip back into a tie. Italy lost thier first and only player of the match when Daniele De Rossi threw an elbow at Brain McBride causing him to get three stiches but he remained in the game. In the 45th minute Pablo Mastroeni was sent off with a red card after a late sliding tackle which really deserved a yellow.

The second half picked up where the first half left off. 2 minutes in Eddie Pope was sent off getting his second yellow of the match on another late tackle which left the U.S to hold on to at least a tie facing a tough disadvantage of playing 10 players to 9. Kasey Keller who was later named Man of the Match held his ground stopping many shots from the Italians fowards, keeping the score at 1-1 for the rest of the game.

Next Game: The U.S face a must win game against the underated Ghana team. The Ghana comes off an unbelievable win against the Czecks winning 2-0 in convincing fashion. For the U.S to advance into the second round of 16 would be monumental but a very tough task.

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U.S bounces back against Italy