[aldo_14]

Crikey.

That was just weird.

[karajorma]

And funny as hell

[Kosh]

1-1, tie game

The US did play defense a lot better......but they really did play dirty. I saw many cases of American defenders grabbing and holding Italian players. I think the referees let them get away with a little too much.

[neoterran]

FIFA needs to hang its head in shame. terrible refs... first red was obvious, but all the rest, definately not.

I definately see a case of anti-american bias here.... In the first half, everything was called, second half, nothing. terrible.

[aldo_14]

Oh dear.  I hope we're not getting into the 'blame the ref' syndrome here.

[neoterran]

aldo, let me know when you go to see the eye doctor. because obviously you need a pair of glasses.

[Kie99]

Did anyone else catch Clive Tyldsley screaming Equaliser on the USA's disallowed goal?  (which should have stood, IMO)

The US did better than I'd thought they would.

[Kosh]

Oh dear.  I hope we're not getting into the 'blame the ref' syndrome here.

Italy didn't play particularly well, but that doesn't excuse the way the US played during the second half.

[Shade]

The 2nd red was clear as day. Studs directly on the ancle and nowhere near the ball, he slaughtered him in that tackle. Anytime, anyday, that's a straight red. But it didn't even need to be, that player already had a yellow so no matter what he'd have been gone.  I think the ref actually managed about as well as one could expect for a game with that level of sheer weirdness and confusion.

[aldo_14]

aldo, let me know when you go to see the eye doctor. because obviously you need a pair of glasses.

Right, very good comeback there.  *slow handclap*

Hmm... let me think.

Ankle-high lunging tackle.  And a 2nd booking for pulling someone else down outside the box.

The US did very well to hold on, may I add.

[Shade]

I'll grant it did resemble speedball more than football at times, but hence the cards. 2nd half was simply a fight for both sides, and aside from the situations that were punished it wasn't that rough.

[aldo_14]

It was tenacious more than dirty, I think, although I do remember one bit where Iaquinta was very close to getting a penalty for his shirt being tugged.  Amazingly, he didn't take the opportunity to have a wee dive.

[Black Wolf]

Game like that... Kazan's going to be.... back. But I don't think US can realistically still qualify the way Ghana's been playing of late.

[neoterran]

not thanks to those red cards, no.

[aldo_14]

Not really an excuse, mind you, given that Ghana will also be missing a couple of really good players in Gyan and Muntari.

[Night Hammer]

wow that own goal.... lol

USA played better than I thought could, good on em

[aldo_14]

wow that own goal.... lol

USA played better than I thought could, good on em

Yeah, they did themselves real credit with that, for much of the 2nd half it wasn't obvious which team had the man less.

[Kazan]

The 2nd red was clear as day. Studs directly on the ancle and nowhere near the ball, he slaughtered him in that tackle. Anytime, anyday, that's a straight red. But it didn't even need to be, that player already had a yellow so no matter what he'd have been gone.  I think the ref actually managed about as well as one could expect for a game with that level of sheer weirdness and confusion.

i have a clear replay - Pablo's studs were down, he came in from the side and he got the ball

same thing with eddie pope

this referee has been suspended in the past for "irregularities" - we just found out what they are - in no previous match of this world cup, in no match I have ever seen, would those have been bookable offenses

a stern warning to be careful perhaps, but not bookable offenses

check his bank accounts

[Shade]

Check the replay again. The ball was passed away a full second before contact was made. Not tackled away. Passed. By the Italian. Then Mastroeni comes flying into the picture and takes the ancle. And that's rightfully a red card.

[aldo_14]

oh for Gods' sake, get a grip.  1-1 for any team with a man down vs Italy is a tremendous result, and you're throwing about these bizarre allegations? 

The very fact that you think he got the ball in the first tackle (Mastroeni) is not only visibly wrong but against the law of physics, because the ball had already left Pirlos foot.  See how it rolls about 90 degrees opposite to the angle of Mastroenis' lunge?  That's because Pirlo kicked it already.

Tell you what, get your replay/s, and post it.