The US got some help earlier in the day with Ghana, their next opponent, stunning the Czech Republic 2-0 to keep the group close-knit going into the third day of action. The US, despite surprising many with their dominant play against Italy, were only able to register a point in a 1-1 draw in a game filled with controvercy as three players were sent off, leaving Italy with 10 men after USL Hall of Famer Brian McBride had his face cut open on an elbow and the US with nine after Pablo Mastroeni was sent off for a late tackle and Eddie Pope at the opening of the second half for a second yellow.
Italy got on the board first on a free kick when Andrea Pirlo found Alberto Gilardino for a header past former USL-1 goalkeeper Kasey Keller 22 minutes in. Five minutes later, the US were handed a gift as Cristian Zaccardo attempted clearance sent the ball back into his own net to put the game level. Keller would go on to make two fantastic stops late in the match to preserve the draw.
