Worst reffing ever.

I agree the US showed way more passion, and the reffing was as bad as I've seen. That was a gutty effort to get a point against a tough Italian side--thank god they took off Totti! The Italians made poor subs, and were caught at the end with an injured player and no subs left. I was surprised not to see Eddie Johnson as well, given how everyone was dragging at the end there. But whatever. We got the point we needed, and given the Ghana win, we're in decent shape. First, of course, we have to beat Ghana, which won't be easy, but is still the team the US probably matches up best with in the group (and if we can't be Ghana, we don't deserve anything). Second, Italy DOES NOT want to finish 2nd and have to play Brazil in the next game. So they are going to be gunning for the Czechs. And they match up well with them, unlike us.

As for the D, it was way better today. I think we've had touble replacing Gibbs and Hayduk--both potential starters who got hurt. I have NEVER been a Churundolo fan, and Eddie Lewis was a bad move by Arean, IMO. Bocanegra plays in England and knows how to handle top-quality players, so I was very glad to see him in there. The loss of both Pope and Masterioni next game will shake things up. Who replaces them? Conrad, I guess. Maybe Allbright? Lewis again? We need a stopper in the defensive midfield!

USA USA USA!

My friend had it on at his house, not the biggest soccer fan on earth and I was pretty bored with the game....but I agree, Daseal...that officaiting was awful! That Red Card 2 min into the second was a joke.

im with gmanc, i dont know squat about soccer but that was a jam job by the ref

Agree with you most of the way except:
"-Our only hope is that we win versus Ghana, and the Czechs beat Italy."

We need a win no doubt, but we need Italy to beat the Czechs. Italy has 4 points. If Czechs beat them they have 6 and Italy still has 4. If US wins we will have 4 as well but unless we score a crap load we will lose to Italy on GD. But if Italy wins and US wins then Italy will have 7, US 4, and Czechs 3.

Go Italy!!!!

I think the refs think just like the rest of the international community, they do not want to see US to succeed at what has been known as a rest of the world sport.

I agree the US showed way more passion, and the reffing was as bad as I've seen. That was a gutty effort to get a point against a tough Italian side--thank god they took off Totti! The Italians made poor subs, and were caught at the end with an injured player and no subs left. I was surprised not to see Eddie Johnson as well, given how everyone was dragging at the end there. But whatever. We got the point we needed, and given the Ghana win, we're in decent shape. First, of course, we have to beat Ghana, which won't be easy, but is still the team the US probably matches up best with in the group (and if we can't be Ghana, we don't deserve anything). Second, Italy DOES NOT want to finish 2nd and have to play Brazil in the next game. So they are going to be gunning for the Czechs. And they match up well with them, unlike us.

As for the D, it was way better today. I think we've had touble replacing Gibbs and Hayduk--both potential starters who got hurt. I have NEVER been a Churundolo fan, and Eddie Lewis was a bad move by Arean, IMO. Bocanegra plays in England and knows how to handle top-quality players, so I was very glad to see him in there. The loss of both Pope and Masterioni next game will shake things up. Who replaces them? Conrad, I guess. Maybe Allbright? Lewis again? We need a stopper in the defensive midfield!

USA USA USA!

I think, You replace Pope with Albright, He is physical and can win some 50/50s. I would replace Pablo with Eddie Johnson. Put Johnson up top and move Landon back in midfield and Reyna back in Pablo's spot. And try to get Ghana on it's heels early like what they did to the Czechs.

Did Gooch get his second red of the first round against Italy? Jeeze, we are going to have a whole new back line if that's right.

Not as bad as the 72 Olympics (basketball), but the reffing sure did remind me of that.

Did Gooch get his second red of the first round against Italy? Jeeze, we are going to have a whole new back line if that's right.


I think you mean second yellow? No, I don't believe he did. So he'll be safe to play against Ghana. This is what I found at ussoccer.com

Misconduct Summary:
ITA – Francesco Totti (caution) 5th minute
USA – Eddie Pope (caution) 21.
ITA – Daniele De Rossi (ejection) 28.
USA – Pablo Mastroneni (ejection) 45.
USA – Pope (caution) 47.
USA – Pope (ejection) 47.
ITA – Gianluca Zambrotto (caution) 70.


What I don't understand is why we didn't see Eddie Johnson in this game. Why did we leave a sub not used? Or maybe a John O'Brien to help control the midfield.

bring in Johnson next game and move Donovan back to mid...

Donovan has been playing behind McBride, as the US has been playing a 4-4-1-1, or a 4-5-1. I doubt Johnson will get the start, as Arena's happy with McBride being helped by Donovan in this lineup.

Convey played well against the I-Ties, but Beasley will be out there, with the losses of Pope and Mastroeni, Arena's gonna go with what he thinks will work.

The red on Mastroeni was atrocious. My wife was ready to throw me out of the house because I was being so loud.

The real problem will be replacing Pope on the backline. It'll either be Albright or Ben Olsen who gets the start back there...