I thought Mastroeni's was worse than Kezman's personally, as an impartial observer (well, in fact I've been rooting for the States when they've been playing)....

I think Italy will probably beat the Czechs. I can't see them playing badly again (Italy, that is) as their coach (Lippi) just gave them a massive roasting to the press after the game. Also, the Czechs are missing their ONLY two decent strikers. You saw how badly they struggled to get near scoring vs Ghana today, and Ghana don't have nearly the defence Italy does. I'm going to put a bet on 1-0 to Italy in the last game, Czechs to go home but (alas for the USA) I think Ghana are slight favourites in the decider. But I genuinely think USA will go through if they beat the Ghanians.

Letter of the law I think the referee made the right decisions all the way, it's just a pain in the arse that ALL the marginal ones (barring one) seemed to go against the USA.

On another point, why the hell did De Rossi do what he did? That was about the most brainless thing I've ever seen on a football pitch, inside his own half, with no apparent animosity from any of the american players, he just goes and throws and elbow and splits McBride's face open. If I was the Italian coach or captain I'd have been tearing strips off him in the dressing room after the game. At least Mastroeni and Pope were trying to win the ball (albeit clumsily), De Rossi just (in all likelihood) cost his team two points with a moment of ridiculous unprofessionalism....

Ghana winning the group would be super-sweet I like all the teams in this group except Italy so really pretty much any result I'm happy with. I want to see one of Ghana or USA getting through, though, which looks fairly likely to happen now.

I am not an impartial observer, I was rooting for the US but I really think Mastroeni deserved the Red card 100%, he came in late, spikes up. It was the type of play that leaves someone iwth a broken ankle. Instead of questioning the refs call maybe we should be questioning why the hell he decided to try to make a such a dumb challenge at the end of the half in Italy's half of the pitch. All he has to do is tuck his legs and turn the spikes down and he gets a yellow instead of a red and the US is probably celebrating 3 pts and a good chance to move on.

Marcelo Balboa is a terrible commentator I realize that espn wanted to get someone who was from US soccer but the guy is so biased that I really hate listening to him. Saying the ref ruined the game wtf? This was one of the best matchs to watch so far in the World Cup. Lots of scoring chances, a couple amazing saves.