Op-Ed \ Andrew Rogers

U.S. burnishes its word credentials with draw against Italy.

SUNBURY ON THAMES, England (Monday, June 19, 2006) -- After a deluge of overreaction and misguided criticism, the United States men took the opportunity Saturday to prove their credentials at the Fritz Walter Stadion in Kaiserslautern.

The result is not surprising given the nature of the two sides. However, the manner in which the U.S. and Italy achieved the 1-1 draw was unique in the history of the World Cup.

Referee Jorge Larrionda, who works as a clerk, proved that pushing paperwork is clearly poor preparation for do-or-die World Cup games between a powerhouse and emerging heavyweight. There can be no complaints over Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi's wayward elbow or U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni's reckless challenge, a potential ankle-breaker on Andrea Pirlo, but Pablo why, why, why!

However, Larrionda made the wrong call on sending U.S. defender Eddie Pope off with a second yellow card. On another day, both challenges could have been dealt with little more than a talking to. To administer two yellow cards for such tackles suggests maybe the referee was looking to grab some of the headlines that where going to be splashed on a great game.

It was impressive to see the U.S. take the game to Italy. Italy's Francesco Totti quickly lost his fuse once he realized he was in a proper game, getting himself booked after five minutes.

Another notable aspect of the U.S. team was its gamesmanship. Unsurprisingly, every time the Stars and Stripes, gained any sort of momentum through breaking up the play, invariably an Italian could be found lying on the floor in agony.

The U.S. admirably concentrated on the task at hand and, when it needed, rolled around itself and questioned the referee. I fully appreciate, in many respects, this is adverse to the national sporting culture, but the reality of international soccer is righteousness and moral buoyancy at times can hinder a World Cup campaign.

Technically and tactically, the U.S. was good value for its talent and, as expected, proved it can compete with anyone. Goals are not likely to cascade from this side, so giving up goals from appallingly set offside traps and bad communication must be eradicated.

Looking forward, the U.S. has done very well to put its destiny back in its own hands. While the U.s. will be without Pope and Mastroeni for its critical match Thursday against Ghana, the Americans have the added bonus that Ghana has its goal scorers from its 2-0 upset of the Czech Republic suspended -- Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.

U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan is likely to come into his own given the space Ghana affords the opposition, and striker Brian McBride will be a lot for them to handle. Athletically, the U.S. will compete with the Ghanaians and are unlikely to falter like the Czechs did in the last 20 minutes.

Over the longer term, there is some concern over the U.S.'s preference given to its European-based players, on the assumption that it relates better to international performance. American forward Eddie Johnson and midfielder Clint Dempsey are case in point that players from Major League Soccer can stand up to international competition.

One only needs to look to Greece in the 2004 European Championship and France again misfiring to realize the European domestic game doesn't necessarily translate to international soccer. The opportunity of playing in a World Cup can also be perceived differently depending on ambitions and economic situation.

Elsewhere, Argentina exudes class, but such performances carry little significance unless they can produce in the World Cup knockout stages. However, the luxury of bringing Leo Messi, Carlos Tevez and Esteban Cambiasso off the bench sends out a strong message to the rest to the competition.

England is winning, but does not look like a world beater. It will be interesting to see the performance the team produces against Sweden, given England have not defeated the Swedes in 38 years. Will the team give manager Sven-Goran Erikkson the reasoning he requires to keep Steven Gerrard on the bench for the second round, bringing some much needed balance to the side?

Brazil is moving through the gears. Australia put in a great performance, but still lost 2-0. If this is Brazil playing badly, I am concerned for the team that has to deal with it in full flow. Whether Brazil finds that top gear is another question in itself.

Football Fever: The readers of this prestigious and distinguished publication deserve the most authentic and creditable soccer journalism. Reports in the London Times from Bulgaria have made me question my commitment to the cause. I don't have World Cup fever, merely a mild cough and cold of some sort.

Two life-sentence prisoners in Pazardzhik Penitentiary in Bulgaria have sewn their mouths up and refused to eat until their demands to watch the World Cup are met. They have left a small part of their mouths unstitched in order to smoke, but a fundamental point has been made. I know in my heart of hearts that anything Europe can do over time the U.S. will do a whole lot better.

Note: Retired Italian referee Pierluigi Collina fronts the advertising campaign for a company similar in size to motor giant Ford.

Andrew Rogers, a regular contributor to the United Kingdom's League Paper and Non League Paper, lives in Sunbury on Thames in England. Formerly the director of communications for the Long Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, he is a UEFA 'B" license coach and plays semi-professionally with Spelthorne FC.

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