Last Monday, the USA National Soccer Team made a liar out of me. I swore they were an excellent squad that could take on all comers and give good account of themselves. They played like little bitches against the Czech Republic and got spanked to the tune of 3-0. It was a disaster that could have been avoided if they simply reached down, grabbed their nuts to make sure they were still there, and then took the fight to the enemy. As this did not happen, I was a little concerned going into the match against Italy. Would the USA pull their heads out of their asses and play attacking soccer like we did all through qualifying?

Yes, yes they did. At the end of the match, we were down to only nine men... some of them bleeding, one with stiches... but all putting their guts on display for the world to see. This was without a doubt the grittiest game of the cup so far. The USA tied the Italian squad that is one of the favorites to win the whole tournament. We did it with a one man disadvantage, as the referee saw fit to send off two of our players. Italy had a man sent-off for the bloody injury to Brian McBride that required three stiches... he returned to menace the Italian defense for the rest of the game... bloody eye and all.

When Italy scored the first goal of the match, the USA did not quit. They instead pressed the attack like they have done so well in the past, and they leveled the game. When the USA were forced to play 40 minutes of 10-9 man soccer, they did not quit. They again pressed the attack like crazed animals, and scored a goal... only to have the ref disallow it based on off-sides. The USA outplayed, outran, and showed more guts than the Italians throughout the game... and earned a point that would inspire songs in other countries. If this was the English squad, they would be national heroes... but alas, the United States is only beginning to understand the true nature of the brutal, beautiful game.

Way to go boys... now take the fight to Ghana and show them the same blood, guts, and heart that stunned the Azzurri.

-Bryan