Ballsy. Gutsy. Call it what you want. I haven't been this proud to be an American since 9-11. The U.S. team thoroughly, and I mean THOROUGHLY, outplayed Italy today and achieved a tie, 1-1. Why should I be happy with a kiss-your-sister draw, you say? Because the U.S. were on the offense the entire game, overcame a referee who must have smoked crack before the game (three red cards?!!), and spent the entire second half playing 9 men against 10, and STILL almost won the game. (That damn offsides on DaMarcus Beasley's goal late in the second half almost made me slam my forehead against the bar counter.) Against Italy. One of the best teams in the world.
Thanks to Ghana - fucking Ghana, for hey-soos sakes - who beat the Czechs today 2-0, the U.S. might actually advance, notwithstanding their debacle against the Czechs. Who knows what might have happened had the U.S. played this type of game last week?
As an American, you don't get to be the underdog too often, and you have to be proud of this effort. They were down. Out. Beaten soundly 3-0 by the Czechs. Called out in public by their (Italian) coach, Bruce Arena. They could have folded against a far more skilled team after they gave up the first goal. But they didn't. {SOUND: ROCKY THEME MUSIC} They came off the mat in true American fashion. Sure, the U.S. got a little lucky on the own goal that went off the Italian defender, but I still say McBride gets to that ball and scores anyway. Kasey Keller - two amazing saves in this game. And the U.S. had lots of close opportunities to take this one home against Italy, who played on their heels most of the game.
Even the Irish dude at Eamonn's, where I watched the game today, was thoroughly impressed. If I have it right, this was the first point ever scored by a U.S. team against a European soccer opponent on European soil. Unbelievable.
If the U.S. beats Ghana and Italy beats the Czechs next week - both results are eminently possible - the U.S. moves forward in the World Cup. No one would have thought this possible after the fiasco last Monday.
Either way, this game had the feeling of redemption for the U.S., a big F.U. to the world, and it feels oh so good.
2 comments:
Right on Timmy D. The game was a monster for the U.S. and it was great to stick it to all the critics out there. I felt the American love while watching the game, even when the a__hole Russian jerks I was surrounded by cheered the offsides penalty against McBride on Beasley's goal. Well done lads.
That's cool you were at the games. Have to root for Italy now against Germany. We're due baby!
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