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Can you feel the excitement at the beginning of the game? There were about 5,000 people there watching the game with us. I didn’t see any American flags but I did hear a few Americans who were in true form – drunk and rowdy watching the game. I’m sure there were other fans in the crowd though they were blending a bit better.

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You can see the red flashes as people set off fireworks. With the first Italian goal, there was so much smoke, you couldn’t see for a few minutes.

I was expecting Italy to kick the U.S.’s butt and I was surprised and pleased that the U.S. played so well. Although, with so many shots on goal, we should have had one go in on our own steam! But we played well for being down a man. I think the Italian team took their “win” a little for granted and it showed in the first half. I’m sure they won’t be making the same mistake next game. As I saw one journalist put it, “Fear will fire Italy.”

I hope both teams advance into the quarter-finals so that they can continue to fight it out and get us excited! I think soccer could use a boost in the States, anyway.