It was "a contest of countless heroes," the Independent said of the nine-man draw the USA pulled off against Italy yesterday. "After a series of World Cup group games designed to satisfy the aesthetes
and purists, this was car-crash football at its most fascinating, a contest of three dismissals, countless yellow cards, and controversy, which leaves the group beautifully poised, the USA still
dreaming, and the Azzurri wondering how victory eluded them." The British do know how to put things well, but perhaps all that's over-flattering. To be sure, American frustrations will be tempered
somewhat by the praise the national team is receiving across Europe for its gutsy performance against the group favorites, but there is still a lot to do and perhaps even more to pray for if the USA
is going to go any further in this tournament. However, the U.S. team should be proud of the positive way it responded to its poor opening. As anyone in this game will tell you, it's about how you
pull yourself up from defeat that defines your team.
Read the whole story at The Independent »
