Jun 18, 2006, 1:25 GMT
Washington - A frustrating game made for frustrating viewing as US home fans had plenty to say about the officiating after watching their team's nine men grind out a draw with Italy.
'I did not like the referee, to put it mildly,' said Alonso Abugattas, 39, a long-time US football fan from Washington.
Abugattas' words were some of the kindest amid a raucous gathering of US fans at Summers bar in Arlington, Virginia, to watch Saturday's extraordinary match.
A group of Italian fans, who had carved out out a corner for themselves in one of the Washington area's few dedicated football bars, were no less averse to cursing at both the television set and the referee, as three players were sent off for only the fourth time in World Cup history.
Still, US fans were heartened by their team's performance, which saw the US hang on for a 1-1 draw against the heavily favoured Italians, despite playing with nine men for most of the second half. It was a marked improvement after the side's humiliating 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic in their World Cup opener.
'We proved that we can play football,' said Steve Beck, 25. 'If we had won when we were up 11 men to 10, nobody would have given us the credit.'
The US had only a fleeting advantage after Italy's Daniele De Rossi was sent off for a vicious elbow into the face of Brian McBride. American Pablo Mastroeni soon followed, and defender Eddie Pope was red carded to start the second half.
The US next faces Ghana Thursday in a must-win game.
'At least the third one now actually matters,' said Beck.
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