That seemed harsh. British commentators are saying it’s the kind of challenge referees were ordered to punish severely.

What do you mean he got what he deserved? A makeup call? that was a yellow at worst. These refs suck.

I personally would be embarrassed to be carried off on a stretcher and then come righ back in. What a bunch of ####### pussies.

You can’t go in two footed like that. Two footed, studs up… it’s possible only to get a yellow card for that, but if you get sent off you can’t complain.

He was a split second late on a ####### tackle. It doesn’t matter how many feet he went in with.

And the ####### studs were not up. They were at ground level. Can’t get much lower.

But it does matter, rb. Two-footed tackles are liable to get you sent off. Those are the rules. Mastroeni knew that going into the game - he’s only got himself to blame. What makes it worse was there was no need to even make that challenge. He should have stayed on his feet.

That’s a ####### makeup call and you know it. The first foot was down on the ground. The second foot was the one that caught him. Stop making excuses for your pansy ass italian team.

Having seen a half-time replay, I agree with TwoAlous. Mastroeni took a big risk, even if it was a case of mistiming. A stern referee will give a red card for that.

That wouldn’t be a red ordinarily. In the world cup you get all kinds of random refs, though.

So, is the United States about to blow its best chance to advance, as Italy has done its best to open the door for them? ‘Twould be funny.

This guy’s from Uruguay. One would expect him to tolerate all kinds of mischief.

That really didn’t seem like a red card to me, but I don’t follow soccer enough to be sure one way or the other. 

Anyway, the U.S. certainly still has a shot to pull the upset here.  They’re attacking strongly, although most of their attempts are fizzling out.  And a tie isn’t the worst thing in the world if it comes to that.  (Remember, Italy will have a good reason to try for the win against the Czechs - first in the group means not getting Brazil in the round of 16.)

I think this referee is retarded.

Goddam, I hate Eddie Pope.

Get back on your feet, you ####### pansy!

With this ref, if anybody else gets a yellow card, Arena should sub for them immediately.

Look, if you’re going to get right back on the field, don’t make me watch your punkass get carried off on a stretcher.

Convey impressed the British TV commentators, they feel sorry for him. Watch out Bocanegra!

Have four ever been sent off in a World Cup Finals match before?

Americans should have made more of that.

Oh no - DeMarcus Beasley. I thought we’d gotten rid of him.

Good try MacBride.

How did this pansy get hurt? What, did someone breath on him in the celebration?

My coworker got me excited about the goal before we saw the replay. He’s probably just excitable today because he’s from Ghana. That was way off-side.

This referee is a disaster. He’s got to give cards for everything now.