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Player Ratings: Italy 3-1 USA
Two goals by substitute Giuseppe Rossi turned the game on its head as Italy beat 10-man USA 3-1.
Jun 15, 2009 6:07:09 PM
Italy:
Gianluigi Buffon 7
As always, made his goal-mouth look tiny. Was only beaten by a penalty, everything else he gobbled up.
Gianluca Zambrotta 7
Composed throughout the match. Got forward to good effect, but was always back to snuff out attacks.
Nicola Legrottaglie 7
Do Italy ever run out of classy central defenders? Easily marshaled the U.S. attackers away from goal and into positions which wouldn't hurt the Italian defense. Should have done better in front of goal when attacking set pieces.
Giorgio Chiellini 6
Quieter than his defensive partner, Chiellini also kicked out at Altidore to give up the penalty.
Fabio Grosso 8
Gave the American team a little lesson in how to operate as a fullback. Provided the width on the left all on his own, he was a danger throughout the match without ever being caught out.
Gennaro Gattuso 6
A subdued performance for the feisty terrier. He did draw the kick from Clark that led to a red, but other than that, was largely uninvolved.
Daniele De Rossi 7
He, too, had a bit of a quiet game. That is, until the 71st minute, when he launched a skipping stunner that turned out to be the match winner.
Andrea Pirlo 7
Skewed over to the left, Pirlo didn't have his usual impact on the match. Still did well to combine with other players and keep play ticking over nicely. Great assist on Rossi's second as well.
Mauro Cambronesi 7
Gave Bornstein nightmares. A livewire performance down that right flank, as he pulled defenders out of position and put in quality service.
Alberto Gilardino 6
Thrives on slamming home the lone half-chance he gets, but didn't get that chance in this game. Did moderately well at stretching the defense.
Vincenzo Iaquinta 6
He needed to get more active early if the Italian attack was going to be effective. Drifted out for long spells.
Subs:
Giuseppe Rossi 9
The Italian-American broke the heart of the country he could have played for. Turned the game on its head upon entering and hit two crisp shots that no other American can dream of connecting.
Riccardo Montolivo 7
Helped improve distribution upon entering.
Luca Toni 6
Should have done better with a header late on.
USA:
Tim Howard 6
Never had much of a chance on any of the goals. The Rossi strikes were hit with too much power into good spots for him to get to, and Gooch screened him on the second goal.
Jonathan Spector 5
Generally solid, though he added nothing to the attack. Looked timid.
Jay DeMerit 6
Deputized for captain Carlos Bocanegra well. Powerful in the air, DeMerit always looked in control and at ease.
Oguchi Onyewu 7
In the absence of Bocanegra, Onyewu stepped up as the leader in the backline. He let nothing past, and it's indicative of how well he was playing that Italy had to resort to long shots to score.
Jonathan Bornstein 4
The left back position was Bornstein's to lose, and he went about doing just that in this game. Given a miserable time from start to finish, couldn't get his crossing right, and even poked the ball in for an own goal (before it was called back for offsides).
Benny Feilhaber 5
Looked much better when moved from the right flank into the middle. Provided a good ball to Altidore for the game-opener, but then gave away the ball cheaply on the equalizer.
Ricardo Clark 3
Justified red or not, you can't go into challenges with your foot at knee-height. Forced his teammates to play a man down for an hour against the reigning world champs.
Michael Bradley 7
Scuffed his one opportunity, but kept it simple in the middle the rest of the game. Emerging as a very good two-way option for the USA.
Clint Dempsey 6
This was an improved performance by Dempsey over recent performances, but he still gave up possession too much and didn't create any real chances.
Landon Donovan 6
Of the many knocks against Donovan, consistency when taking penalties is not one of them. His runs from deep helped alleviate pressure and worry the Italy defense a little bit.
Jozy Altidore 5
Looked a bit lost as the target man, his heavy touch let him down frequently. Won the penalty, but needed to take his man on more.
Subs:
Charlie Davies 5
Struggled with the isolation up top, but managed to make a couple good things happen.
DaMarcus Beasley 6
Looked lively and eager when he came on.
Sacha Kljestan n/a
He'll want to try late long-range dipper in the waning minutes again.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Follow the U.S. Men's National Team on its exclusive Goal.com page.
Gianluigi Buffon 7
As always, made his goal-mouth look tiny. Was only beaten by a penalty, everything else he gobbled up.
Gianluca Zambrotta 7
Composed throughout the match. Got forward to good effect, but was always back to snuff out attacks.
Nicola Legrottaglie 7
Do Italy ever run out of classy central defenders? Easily marshaled the U.S. attackers away from goal and into positions which wouldn't hurt the Italian defense. Should have done better in front of goal when attacking set pieces.
Giorgio Chiellini 6
Quieter than his defensive partner, Chiellini also kicked out at Altidore to give up the penalty.
Fabio Grosso 8
Gave the American team a little lesson in how to operate as a fullback. Provided the width on the left all on his own, he was a danger throughout the match without ever being caught out.
Gennaro Gattuso 6
A subdued performance for the feisty terrier. He did draw the kick from Clark that led to a red, but other than that, was largely uninvolved.
Daniele De Rossi 7
He, too, had a bit of a quiet game. That is, until the 71st minute, when he launched a skipping stunner that turned out to be the match winner.
Andrea Pirlo 7
Skewed over to the left, Pirlo didn't have his usual impact on the match. Still did well to combine with other players and keep play ticking over nicely. Great assist on Rossi's second as well.
Mauro Cambronesi 7
Gave Bornstein nightmares. A livewire performance down that right flank, as he pulled defenders out of position and put in quality service.
Alberto Gilardino 6
Thrives on slamming home the lone half-chance he gets, but didn't get that chance in this game. Did moderately well at stretching the defense.
Vincenzo Iaquinta 6
He needed to get more active early if the Italian attack was going to be effective. Drifted out for long spells.
Subs:
Giuseppe Rossi 9
The Italian-American broke the heart of the country he could have played for. Turned the game on its head upon entering and hit two crisp shots that no other American can dream of connecting.
Riccardo Montolivo 7
Helped improve distribution upon entering.
Luca Toni 6
Should have done better with a header late on.
USA:
Tim Howard 6
Never had much of a chance on any of the goals. The Rossi strikes were hit with too much power into good spots for him to get to, and Gooch screened him on the second goal.
Jonathan Spector 5
Generally solid, though he added nothing to the attack. Looked timid.
Jay DeMerit 6
Deputized for captain Carlos Bocanegra well. Powerful in the air, DeMerit always looked in control and at ease.
Oguchi Onyewu 7
In the absence of Bocanegra, Onyewu stepped up as the leader in the backline. He let nothing past, and it's indicative of how well he was playing that Italy had to resort to long shots to score.
Jonathan Bornstein 4
The left back position was Bornstein's to lose, and he went about doing just that in this game. Given a miserable time from start to finish, couldn't get his crossing right, and even poked the ball in for an own goal (before it was called back for offsides).
Benny Feilhaber 5
Looked much better when moved from the right flank into the middle. Provided a good ball to Altidore for the game-opener, but then gave away the ball cheaply on the equalizer.
Ricardo Clark 3
Justified red or not, you can't go into challenges with your foot at knee-height. Forced his teammates to play a man down for an hour against the reigning world champs.
Michael Bradley 7
Scuffed his one opportunity, but kept it simple in the middle the rest of the game. Emerging as a very good two-way option for the USA.
Clint Dempsey 6
This was an improved performance by Dempsey over recent performances, but he still gave up possession too much and didn't create any real chances.
Landon Donovan 6
Of the many knocks against Donovan, consistency when taking penalties is not one of them. His runs from deep helped alleviate pressure and worry the Italy defense a little bit.
Jozy Altidore 5
Looked a bit lost as the target man, his heavy touch let him down frequently. Won the penalty, but needed to take his man on more.
Subs:
Charlie Davies 5
Struggled with the isolation up top, but managed to make a couple good things happen.
DaMarcus Beasley 6
Looked lively and eager when he came on.
Sacha Kljestan n/a
He'll want to try late long-range dipper in the waning minutes again.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
Follow the U.S. Men's National Team on its exclusive Goal.com page.
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