Not Quite Dead

So, Ghana goes and does the U.S. a HUGE favor with a 2-0 victory over the Czechs, and the U.S. is only able to come away with a 1-1 tie against Italy. Supremely disappointing, but what was even more disappointing was the officiating in the U.S.-Italy match, specifically the "make up" red card on Mastroeni in the 45th minute.

I think it's pretty obvious Pope was heading for another yellow, which he deservedly picked up in the 47th for a late tackle from behind. (I don't care if he *did* get the ball - tackles from behind are going to draw cards.) On the other hand, the red on Mastroeni was unfathomable. Sure, he came in cleats up, but his slide tackle was otherwise a clean play, unlike DeRossi's elbow to McBride's face. At worst, Mastroeni should have picked up a yellow.

Instead, he was sent off, and two minutes into the second half Pope was sent off for picking up his second yellow. Down to 9 men, the U.S. had to play much more defensively. Beasley put one home in the 70th, but a questionable offsides call negated the goal. The ruling on the field was that McBride, who was in an offsides position but did not make a play on the ball, "clearly obstructed" the keeper's line of vision. That was in the 65th minute, and it was the last solid U.S. chance.

By the end, the U.S. was gassed. Not sure why Arena didn't use his last sub, but the likelihood of a U.S. goal in the last 15 minutes was pretty low anyway. Now, it's on to Ghana. We need a win versus Ghana and an Italian win versus the Czechs. (Forget the scenarios involving an Italian tie; Ghana's defense has been stout enough in the first two games, and the U.S. offense anemic enough, that we will not be putting any sort of thumping on Ghana). To make matters worse, we won't have Mastroeni or Pope. Eh, come to think of, Pope hasn't really distinguished himself in the first two games. Maybe he's not that much of a loss.

If you're a U.S. supporter, I'd suggest you spend the next 5 days sending Italians all the good karma you can.