Just from the BBC live text and this thread the U.S. seems a lot more aggressive on offense than they were versus the Czech Republic…

Good save Keller!!

That’s the first save keller’s had all cup i think.

Btw, some people here think I am making excuses because I support Italians. This is nonsense. I am generally an England supporter, and in this game I am supporting USA, both by adoption, and because they’re the underdogs.

Great save by Keller there. And Donovan looks OK too.

CFiJ - 17 June 2006 08:29 PM

Just from the BBC live text and this thread the U.S. seems a lot more aggressive on offense than they were versus the Czech Republic…

They are playing wider, and the Italians are giving them more space between the old NASL ‘neutral-zone line’ and the box than the Czechs did.

I think the Italians are looking more dangerous now than they did in the last 15 minutes. Watch out, USA.

I like Cherundolo. And said so days ago.

Wasn’t that obstruction?

When’s Arena going to bring on his third sub? He’s going to need fresh legs.

Don’t we have a sub left? Why aren’t we using it?

onyewu’s pissed. Why haven’t we subbed?!

I’m not happy about this. Italy could luck into a goal like Germany.

WHERE IS OUR THIRD SUB BRUCE?

What a failure. How could arena not sub? He’s asleep on the bench,.

Well done USA. I answered my own question about adopted vs native. Blood is thicker than football club loyalties.

However, I don’t think this game was the best advertisement for the sport.

Someone let me know what the story about the ref abc is about to show us is. I gotta run down the street to this festival.

I’m surprised at how European commentators still seem astonished at how well USA plays.

Why wasn’t this game a good advert for the sport? I thought it was very very exciting.

This was a magnificent performance by the USA. The Italians were very poor, but the Americans still had to hang in there, down a man, and they did it. More about team spirit and fitness than skill, but it’s all good.

And I believe they can beat Ghana. Ghana have big weaknesses at the back, particularly from set pieces. The USA should have nothing to fear.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the US create multiple scoring opportunities while down a man against a superior team.  I was expecting them to dig trenches.

I AM LASHICUS (TwoAlous) - 17 June 2006 09:04 PM

Why wasn’t this game a good advert for the sport?

The refereeing was very strict, yet ineffectual. There was still a lot of shirt-tugging and falling over.

So did noone watch the postgame thing about the ref?

Socceroos vs. brazil in 11 hours. Aussie aussie, oy oy, or whatever.

Holland has been krap and won two games.

That midfield looks WEAK right now. Cocu isnt’ doign jack, Van Bommel looks tentative… VdV doesn’t look fit.

The bakline is krap too

Can’t believe no-one’s commented on today’s games yet.

The first match was incredible. Japan and Croatia both showed incredible fitness and heart to keep going like that in sweltering conditions. Croatia were playing a 3-5-2 and their wing-backs must have covered a ridiculous amount of ground. For Japan, Nakata and Alex in particular were phenomenal. Miyamoto was terrible in defense, though. Most exciting 0-0 draw you’re ever likely to see.

Brazil have just scored an undeserved, but rather inevitable, goal against Australia. If they want to come back they need infinitely more from Mark Viduka. Both number 9s in this match look, fat, lazy and disinterested.

Australia has Brazil right where they want them. Look for three goals in the last 10 minutes.

Bresciano needs to do better than that.

Ronaldo:2006::Willie Mays:1973?