WC2006: Walk On (Part 2)

ON A TRAIN TO NUREMBERG (continued) -- It takes two or three calls up the security food chain before they let the drum into the stadium. To be honest, I wouldn't have cared if they made me leave it behind. I was spent.

The seats didn't come from USSF, so we're away from the throng of U.S. fans behind the goal. A guy who remembers me from Korea tries to convince me to sneak into that section, but I don't want to spend my World Cup looking over my shoulder for the guys in the orange vests.

It looks like we're actually seated behind the scouts from Ghana, and we briefly discuss whether or not to start spreading misinformation. I try to support some cheers on the drum, but I can't hear well enough to keep up, so the drum will stay on my lap for most of the match. I make a note that a 14" x 14" floor tom might be more appropriate for a long trip.

Game time. Boca and Dempsey in for Lewis and Beasley, and we come out strong. We're pushing into the attack, but unless we score, that doesn't mean a damn thing against a counter-attack like that of the Italians. As if to prove my point, the Azzurri break free on a set piece and go up 1-0.

The Americans don't back down, and get one back on an own goal on a set piece of their own. A glimmer of hope, followed by a blinding white spotlight of hope, as Italy loses a player to a straight red card after a vicious elbow to international punching bag Brian McBride.

The man advantage doesn't last long, though, as Pablo Mastroeni follows up a wicked shot that goes just over the bar with a two-footed tackle from behind that earns him his own walking papers before halftime.

Things get worse a few minutes into the second half as Eddie Pope picks up his second yellow and is gone as well. This is getting intense. It must be for the officiating crew as well, as they start flubbing corner kicks and goal kicks and offsides with alarming frequency. Despite being down a man, the U.S. attacks. McBride shoots just wide. Second half sub Damarcus Beasley appears to net the go-ahead goal, and the stadium releases a roar. No, there's a late flag and a later whistle. No one is quite sure why.

Kasey Keller makes huge saves, and pegs an Italian player receiving treatment on the sideline after exaggerating an injury. More bad calls, and there's a rain of debris aimed at the near-side assistant. And finally, the whistle. After nearly a full half playing with only 9 against 10, we've come up with a draw agains a heavily favored Italian side. My Italian heritage and American birth can coexist in peace.

Along with the players, Bruce Arena comes over to thank the fans. I don't think I've ever seen that.

Now we're through if we beat Ghana and Italy beats the Czechs. Other results in that second match require us to paste the Ghanains hard.