After a dreadful and uninspired performance in its 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic last week, the U.S. national team was counted out, left for dead. The Americans were still searching for their first World Cup victory on European soil. Moreover, the U.S. was up against Italy – and its 0-8 all-time record versus the Azzurri. But after a 90-minute battle and two red cards, the Red, White and Blue were not seeing ‘stars’ as everyone had projected. Rather, in a defining moment for soccer in this country, the Yanks avoided the potential knockout punch from world-power Italy. Not only did Team USA keep the stars from spinning in front of its eyes with the 1-1 final, but the Americans kept their hopes alive of advancing to the next round of the tournament.
This was a game in which the Yanks overcame significant odds. The picture of blood running down striker Brian McBride’s face following an Italian elbow which resulted in a red card signaled that this would not be a ‘normal’ game of soccer or Calcio. In the history of the World Cup, this was only the fourth game with three red cards. Despite being forced to play with a one-man disadvantage for all but two minutes of the 45-minute second half, the Red, White and Blue showed the world that they can play with the ‘big boys.’
After Italy’s Daniele DeRossi was ejected shortly after the U.S. tied the game at 1, the Yanks began to set the tone of the game, but they were met with poor tackles, first by Pablo Mastroeni and then by Eddie Pope. Although there has been much debate over the decision of the Uruguayan referee to red card these World Cup veterans, he followed FIFA’s edict and made two courageous and correct decisions.
Nonetheless, led by midfielders Claudio Reyna and Landon Donovan and goalkeeper Kasey Keller, the Americans were able to keep the potent Italians at bay. In fact, despite playing nine versus ten, for long stretches, Team USA controlled the pace and tempo of the game. A team depleted of two starting defenders was still able to build a wall in front of its goal that would deflect all Azzurri shots.
After the Czech humiliation, American coach Bruce Arena publicly took exception to the lack of effort and intensity on the part of several key players. However, at the end of the Italy–USA contest, the world soccer public saw a different team. It was a team of unity. A team that played through adversity with a purpose. A coach can only ask his team to ‘leave everything on the field’ when the referee blows the final whistle. This was the case on Saturday. The remaining nine players finished the game on ’empty,’ leaving their hearts, souls and team spirit on the pitch.
Despite taking a punch to the chin in its Cup opener, the Red, White and Blue rose from the canvas with fervor to prove their critics wrong. They entered the game with a mission – to show they deserved to be on the field with soccer’s best. And, despite the knockdown, they did not stay down for the count and they left the field having sent a clear message – U.S. soccer is here to stay!
Regardless of the team’s result in Thursday’s game against a strong side from Ghana, American soccer will exit Germany victorious. A team lacking the big-name players so prevalent in Europe and South America showed the footballing world that its quarterfinal finish four years earlier in Korea/Japan was not an accident. If the Americans’ surge continues, the only stars the U.S. team will see after its contest with Ghana will be those they spot in the German sky while thanking the soccer gods for making their dream of advancing come through.
