Ten versus nine in Italy’s favour was not enough to help them tip the odds and beat the United States during a stormy draw in Kaiserslautern.
Italy went ahead through Milan striker Gilardino but were pegged back by a humorous own goal from defender Cristian Zaccardo during the first half. The game provided chances for both sides but after an entertaining game both sides would have been delighted with a point in the circumstances.
Italy began with one change to their team, fall guy Zaccardo replacing Gattuso who returned to the team later after an injury scare for Totti. The USA, battered by the Czech’s in the first game changed their system slightly dropping Damarcus Beasley and bringing in Reading’s Bobby Convey.
Clearly the underdogs, America set out to try and rattle Italy in the early stages and it was Convey who had the best chance on fifteen minutes when a cross was missed by the Italians in defense and he was able to get a shot in. Sadly for him he was off balance and drove his half volley over the bar.
The second major chance of the game fell to Italy as Pirlo swung in a free kick for striker Gilardino to head into the net. After a slow start, Italy celebrated their opening goal and looked to press home the advantage. The U.S. however had the better possession and looked to make their way back into the game when McBride was fouled leading to a free kick.
Zaccardo however miscued awfully when trying to make a clearance and helplessly sliced the ball into his own net.
After being ahead for such a short time Italy were even more devastated when De Rossi was sent off for elbowing US striker McBride in the heart, straight in front of the referee.
Just on half time Mastroeni fired a shot into the roof off the net from long range, moments later however he was dismissed for a lunge on Pirlo and leaving the referee with little option he produced the red card.
The second half began with a similar explosion as Pope was sent off for a second bookable offense when bringing down Gattuso in the centre of the field. This led Italy to take the initiative in the game and from another Pirlo free kick they rattled the American cross bar with Keller beaten. The header flicked off both Luca Toni and Cannavaro before striking the woodwork and frustrating the Italians.
The American’s looked to be hanging on with little trouble until Del Piero forced a save from Kasey Keller when clean through on goal attempting to steer the ball wide of the American number one goalkeeper.
Italy went ahead through Milan striker Gilardino but were pegged back by a humorous own goal from defender Cristian Zaccardo during the first half. The game provided chances for both sides but after an entertaining game both sides would have been delighted with a point in the circumstances.
Italy began with one change to their team, fall guy Zaccardo replacing Gattuso who returned to the team later after an injury scare for Totti. The USA, battered by the Czech’s in the first game changed their system slightly dropping Damarcus Beasley and bringing in Reading’s Bobby Convey.
Clearly the underdogs, America set out to try and rattle Italy in the early stages and it was Convey who had the best chance on fifteen minutes when a cross was missed by the Italians in defense and he was able to get a shot in. Sadly for him he was off balance and drove his half volley over the bar.
The second major chance of the game fell to Italy as Pirlo swung in a free kick for striker Gilardino to head into the net. After a slow start, Italy celebrated their opening goal and looked to press home the advantage. The U.S. however had the better possession and looked to make their way back into the game when McBride was fouled leading to a free kick.
Zaccardo however miscued awfully when trying to make a clearance and helplessly sliced the ball into his own net.
After being ahead for such a short time Italy were even more devastated when De Rossi was sent off for elbowing US striker McBride in the heart, straight in front of the referee.
Just on half time Mastroeni fired a shot into the roof off the net from long range, moments later however he was dismissed for a lunge on Pirlo and leaving the referee with little option he produced the red card.
The second half began with a similar explosion as Pope was sent off for a second bookable offense when bringing down Gattuso in the centre of the field. This led Italy to take the initiative in the game and from another Pirlo free kick they rattled the American cross bar with Keller beaten. The header flicked off both Luca Toni and Cannavaro before striking the woodwork and frustrating the Italians.
The American’s looked to be hanging on with little trouble until Del Piero forced a save from Kasey Keller when clean through on goal attempting to steer the ball wide of the American number one goalkeeper.