Wednesday, February 29, 2012
U.S. Men Vs. Italy 2nd Half Live Blog
No substitutes for either team at halftime.
Giovinco (twice) and Matri (once) have already been called offsides making it eight total so far for Italy. That's just dumb and lazy by the Italians and like I said before, the U.S. can't keep relying on that tactic. Eventually, it won't work.
Edu draws a foul which gives the U.S. defense a rest after the first nine minutes or so have mostly been spent in their end.
Goal U.S. in the 56th minute! Altidore settled a cross at his feet (with his back to the goal) then laid it off for Dempsey, who seemed to stun Buffon and the Italian defense. Totally against the run of play but who cares, the U.S. leads 1-0. 25th career international goal for Dempsey which puts him fourth all-time (ahead of Joe Max-Moore).
After another offsides call on Matri, the first Italian substitutes: Pazzini in for Motta, Borini in for Matri.
Altidore wins a free kick and more importantly, Chiellini gets a yellow card for hauling him down.
Bocanegra gets a yellow for chopping down Pazzini.
Bradley did a great job tracking back and stealing the ball from Giovinco.
More subs for Italy. Kljestan in for Shea, the first U.S. sub.
Two Italy corner kicks but they don't do anything with them.
Italy is starting to settle for shots from distance that don't have a prayer.
Johnson out for Jonathan Spector. Johnson played well for the second game in a row. Maybe the U.S. finally found a left back.
The U.S. is starting to hang on now with Italy turning up the pressure. Bocanegra is lucky he didn't get an own goal as he deflects it out for a corner then Spector blocked a shot.
Altidore out for Boyd, making his U.S. debut.
Another good block by Spector on Marini, that makes two.
Montolivo goes off for a moment with a nose bleed.
Great work by Bradley, winning the ball in traffic in the middle of the field and clearing it out with some quick 1-2 passes.
Italy is really turning it up now, Spector made another block and Italy to nobody's surprise is flopping all over the field and crying to the referees for non-existent calls.
Another Italy corner but Pielini heads it over the net. The U.S. looks tired and out of energy which I can totally understand.
Only once under Klinsmann-vs. Slovenia-has the U.S. allowed more than one goal.
Four minutes of added time.
This is a similar performance from the 2009 Confederation's Cup when the U.S. shocked Spain. They have blocked so many shots, like a hockey team.
Montolivo with a hard shot from outside the box but it goes just wide.
Buddle in for Dempsey to waste more time on the clock.
And it's all over, the U.S. beats Italy 1-0 for the first time ever (in its 11th try). It's only a friendly but you can't ask for a better result by the U.S. They've also won four in a row overall, this should build some great momentum heading into a busy summer and World Cup 2014 qualifying plus the 2012 Olympics.
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