Drama in Kaiserslautern as Three Players Sent Off

The United States started with the will to win and for the first twenty minutes made most of the running and flustered the Italians, but just lacked precision when in front of goal.

Then in the 22nd minute, Italy won a free-kick on the right of the USA penalty area. Alberto Gilardino lost his markers dived to head the ball from Andrea Pirlo, past Kasey Keller.

Five minutes later, Cristian Zaccardo tried to clear an American free-kick and to his disbelief, the ball spun off his boot and into the net. USA had drawn level with Italy.

Daniele De Rossi made things worse for the Italians when, less than a minute after the equaliser, he jumped for a ball with McBride and elbowed the American in the face. The red blood match the card Jorge Larrionda pulled out of his pocket; Italy were down to ten men.

De Rossi also ended Francesco Totti's game when Marcello Lippi was forced to make a tactical substitution and bring on Gennaro Gattuso in midfield.
The numbers were even out when, just before half-time, Pablo Mastroeni slid into Andrea Pirlo with both feet.

Half-time: (1-1).

Then to add even more drama to the game, Eddie Pope was booked for a second time and shown the red card; 10 vs 9 and America play with three at the back.

Bocanegra then headed onto his own bar before Lippi brings on Alessandro Del Piero to try and take advantage of the problems the United States are having at the back with one man less.

The Americans were then totally shocked when McBride's back-heeled goal was ruled offside; correctly.

With less than twenty minutes left to play, Kasey Keller saved from Del Piero as Italy tried desperately to take advantage of the extra man.

As USA moved the ball around, with eight minutes to go, it was hard to believe they were the team with one player less. But they took too long on their build-up, couldn't decide whether to break into the box or focus on defending and allowed the Italians to get back.

Final Score:
Italy 1 - USA 1