After getting shellacked 3-0 in their World Cup opener and sitting next-to-last in the 32country tournament, questions abounded whether the U.S. players would show up.
The answer was a resounding “yes.” Shame ref Jorge Larrionda wouldn’t let them stick around to decide the game for themselves.
Needing a result against powerhouse Italy, the U.S. rallied for a 1-1 draw that kept their hopes alive for advancing out of Group E.
Despite having two players sent off with red cards, despite being just 0-14-1 all-time in the World Cup after giving up the first goal, they got the result they needed.
The three-time champions are playing under the shadow of gambling and matchfixing scandals back home. After watching Larrionda hand out three red cards, neither one to the Americans on a malicious or flagrant play, maybe he had a dollar or three riding on this game.
He had been one of five refs suspended for irregularities before the 2002 World Cup.
And there was nothing regular about the way he called this game.
Still, it was as good a day as could be hoped for by the Americans. They got early help by Ghana – presumed to be the weakest team in tough Group E, and by far the longest odds to win the group – when the African team drilled the Czech Republic 2-0.
That leaves the U.S. with renewed hope.
The U.S. needs to beat Ghana on Thursday (9:55 a.m., ESPN) to reach four points; then they need favored Italy to beat the Czechs. Do that, and Italy will win the group with seven points, and the Americans would go through second. If Italy ties, the Czechs would advance.
Either way, the U.S. did well to get to where they stand now. They appeared on the verge of an infighting implosion like their horrid 1998 performance, when they lost every game, embarrassed themselves and got Steve Sampson fired.
Out-of-form DaMarcus Beasley bickered with coach Bruce Arena after the opener and was benched for aggressive attacker Clint Dempsey, who brought wing play. Arena also replaced Eddie Lewis, beat for a goal in the opener, with Carlos Bocanegra, who played well.
But yesterday, the U.S. came out inspired and dominated the heavily-favored Italians from the early going.
Still, Italy scored with its first shot, when Pope was beat on an offside trap and gave up Alberto Gilardino’s header in the 22nd minute. But they responded and knotted it on Cristian Zaccardo’s own goal. That was before adventures in officiating.
World Cup chief Franz Beckenbauer has criticized the refereeing and complained about the frequency which they’ve pulled out yellow cards. Yesterday, Daniele DeRossi got as red for an elbow to Brian McBride’s face. But 17 minutes later, Pablo Mastreoni got red carded for a sliding tackle.
If that was a makeup call, the next was a bad one. Pope – just seconds into the second half – got his second yellow and was sent off. He’ll miss the next game, but at least that game is meaningful after the U.S. pulled out the tie.
A must win
A loss or a tie vs. Ghana in their next match, and the U.S. team is eliminated from the World Cup. The top two advance from Group E. To move on, the Americans must win, and get some help.
Here’s a look at the possible scenarios:
THE U.S. BEATS GHANA, AND . . .
Italy beats Czech Republic
Italy wins Group E with seven points, U.S. finishes second with four. U.S. advances.
Italy-Czech tie
Italy wins with five points, and U.S., Ghana and the Czech Republic tie with four. Tiebreaker is goal differential – the Czechs are at plus-one, Ghana zero and the U.S. minus-three.
Czech Republic beats Italy
Czech Republic wins with six, U.S.finishes in tie with Italy, going to goal differential – Italy is a plus-two, U.S.
minus-three.