Italy rallies, subdues 10-man USA 3-1 at Confederations Cup


6/15/2009 - PRETORIA, South Africa – A 10-man United States surrendered three goals in the second half and fell to reigning World Cup champion Italy 3-1 on Monday in both teams’ opening game at the Confederations Cup.

USA-born Giuseppe Rossi scored in the 59th and 94th minutes and Daniele De Rossi added another in the 72nd to lead Italy. The result extended the Americans’ winless streak against Italy, having never beaten the Azzurri in seven tries dating back to their first match in 1934.

The United States played the final 56 minutes down a man after Ricardo Clark was ejected to a two-leg sweeping tackle on Gennaro Gattuso.

Despite the disadvantage, Landon Donovan converted a penalty in the 41st minute came after Jozy Altidore drew a foul from Giorgio Chiellini. Altidore dribbled into the penalty area, cut left and was dragged down by Chiellini with both his right arm and a trip.

The Italians had the better of early play, creating their first serious chance in the 21st when Nicola Legrottaglie headed an free kick unmarked just wide. But the U.S. recovered and generated two chances in quick succession only to be wasted by weak shots by Michael Bradley and Altidore.

The U.S. had an own-goal by Jonathan Bornstein waived off due to an offside call on Italy in the 39th before Chiellini’s foul on Donovan.

But with the man advantage, Italy dominated the United States in the second half, repeatedly threatening the U.S. goal and finally converted when Rossi capitalized on a giveaway by Benny Feilhaber at midfield. Rossi quickly turned on goal and fired from 30 yards that beat American keeper Tim Howard just inside the left post.

De Rossi scored similarly, driving toward the area before unleashing a shot that skipped once and again just inside the right post. Rossi added his second four minutes into injury time. Andrea Pirlo dribbled around Feilhaber on the American left, and sent a cross into the middle of the area where Rossi converted with the volley.

The United States will look to recover in its next game against Brazil on Thursday while Italy will face Egypt in the other Group B encounter.

The Confederations Cup is one of three major tournaments the United States is committed to this summer, just finishing the first half of the final round of World Cup qualifying a little over a week ago and heading into next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.