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Short-handed U.S. runs out of steam against Italy
It's safe to say that angst, hand-wringing, and gnashing of teeth weren't originally on the itinerary of the U.S. men's national team when the squad left for the Confederations Cup last week. But in the wake of its 3-1 loss to Italy on Monday, all three elements are now present in abundance, as a game effort from the Americans wasn't enough to overcome a dubious red card to U.S. midfielder Ricardo Clark as well as two goals from Italy's U.S.-born forward, Giuseppe Rossi.
Was Clark's ejection questionable? Let's just say that there are works of fiction with more basis in fact than the U.S. midfielder's 33rd-minute dismissal. Yes, Clark deserved to be cautioned for his knee-high tackle on Italy's Gennaro Gattuso, and it was a completely unnecessary foul at that, coming as it did in the middle third of the field. But some other rugged fouls didn't even merit a booking from referee Pablo Pozo, and his decision to send off Clark defies belief.
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It's safe to say that angst, hand-wringing, and gnashing of teeth weren't originally on the itinerary of the U.S. men's national team when the squad left for the Confederations Cup last week. But in the wake of its 3-1 loss to Italy on Monday, all three elements are now present in abundance, as a game effort from the Americans wasn't enough to overcome a dubious red card to U.S. midfielder Ricardo Clark as well as two goals from Italy's U.S.-born forward, Giuseppe Rossi.
Was Clark's ejection questionable? Let's just say that there are works of fiction with more basis in fact than the U.S. midfielder's 33rd-minute dismissal. Yes, Clark deserved to be cautioned for his knee-high tackle on Italy's Gennaro Gattuso, and it was a completely unnecessary foul at that, coming as it did in the middle third of the field. But some other rugged fouls didn't even merit a booking from referee Pablo Pozo, and his decision to send off Clark defies belief.
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- T.K.
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