WC, USA vs Italy - Match Reports & Post Game Press

That has to be the most absurd report I have ever read. Was he even watching the same game? I have always prefered the Guardian anyway. Here is their report from the same game and their minute-by-minute report. I like the following comment from the minute report.

"46 min We're off again. “The BBC apparently ran a poll on De Rossi's card and found 83% agreed he should be sent off,” says Kyle Brown. “What do the other 17% think should be required - guns or knives?”

http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/matchreport/0,,1800462,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/minbymin/0,,1788313,00.html

 

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060617/1/7s1m.html

Here's one that say this was the most exciting game of the world cup so far

 

Who crapped in his beer? Someone who can't recognize a dramatic game sitting in front of their face shouldn't do sportswriting. Have some fun, mate.

 

Sure, it was a rough game, but if you read this match report without seeing the game you would've thought the players were all carrying switchblades and had razors on their cleats.

 

Here is a homegrown look at the US game.

http://unitedmania.matchnight.com/umindex.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=19264

 

I'm going to make this my sig:

 

I hope we can come out on Thursday with a strong preformance.
I know today we are drained physically and emotionally

 

The Guardian so spot on it's eerie.

 

The NyTimes blogger was predicting at halftime that Pope would see red. Granted, so were a lot of other people.

 

...Except the tactically deficient Bruce Arena.

 

Here, here! All those at the game deserve a round of applause for coming through loud and clear on my TV. Very nice to hear American fans make themselves heard!

 

snip
United States were unrecognisable from the shambolic outfit that had been beaten 3-0 by the Czech Republic in the opening match, although the Americans survived several late scares thanks to goalkeeper Kasey Keller's formidable saves from substitute Alessandro Del Piero's efforts.

Bruce Arena's decision to leave out midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and play Clint Dempsey instead proved a good move as the latter proved a nightmare for the Italian defence.

With just four minutes played Francesco Totti was booked for a late challenge on Clint Dempsey as Italy were struggling to hold the United States' advances.

Shortly after, Dempsey curled in an inviting cross which Landon Donovan was unable to reach at the far post.

At the other end, Totti's free-kick towards the box found Fabio Cannavaro, whose header went narrowly wide of the far post.

Reading midfielder Bobby Convey should have given the Stars and Stripes a 16th-minute lead but his close-range effort from Dempsey's cross went off-target.


snip

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0617/italyusa.html

 

The red cards, only the fourth time there have been three dismissals in a match at a World Cup finals, may leave the impression this was a dirty game but that would be a harsh judgement.


The thousands of U.S. fans outshouted the Italian supporters, roaring their team on and hurling abuse at some of the refereeing decisions with the kind of passion found at Spanish or English stadiums every week.

The American fans as well as their players deserve to be taken seriously.

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/060617/2/kmg1.html

 

Here is a funny quote

"10:32 p.m:
70: I've written it before but I'll write it again ... fans are twelfth men, and in this case, the 10th. This is one of the best football games I've ever seen."

Ha ha, the 10th man today!

 

The Italians in the crowd were easily outsung by the Americans. When Oguchi Onyewu forcefully dispossessed Gilardino early in the first half, there was a roar as bloodthirsty as if an NFL player had made a bone-jarring tackle on a quarterback. A section of Americans in one corner cheered and sang to drumbeat rhythms familiar from the Barclays Premiership. Rotherham United banners were pinned up next to the Stars and Stripes.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28749-2231195,00.html

 

It remains all up for grabs in the Group E, then. Indeed, it is the only section in the finals were any of the four teams could still qualify going into the third round of matches.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=894142006

 

From the Guardian:

"Man of the match
Landon Donovan - A touch of class in a chaotic match. The American golden boy was the most technically accomplished performer on the pitch, displaying the skill and vision to make Italy's defence look ordinary."


Now that's what I call a recovery. Way to step up, Landon.

 

http://podcast.ussoccer.com/0617_Post-Game_Comments.mp3

 

"Ordinary" ............I thought the only positive aspect from Italy WAS their defence. After all you had NO shots on net and WE did score in our own net

 

I disagree. There were more positives.

Italian whining, diving and crying were in full form.

Classic display.