A Jersey kid shines, but not for the U.S.
It took a kid from Teaneck, N.J., to light up the South African city of Pretoria on Monday night.
Unfortunately for the United States, Giuseppe Rossi was playing for Italy in the Confederations Cup, and the 22-year-old’s two exceptional goals earned the defending world champions a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over a combative but short-handed U.S. team.
The result, combined with Brazil’s earlier 4-3 win over Egypt in Bloemfontein, left the Italians and Brazilians tied on points at the top of four-team Group B after the first pair of matches.
Spain leads Group A, ahead of South Africa, Iraq and New Zealand, in the eight-nation tourney that serves as a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup, also in South Africa.
Italy started six of the players who had beaten France in the 2006 World Cup final, and gained a one-man advantage in the 33rd minute when U.S. midfielder Ricardo Clark knocked down Gennaro Gattuso and was ejected.
Chilean referee Pablo Pozo opted for a straight red card rather than a yellow card warning, which might have been more justified.
Despite being down a man, the U.S. took the lead. The goal came on a penalty kick by Landon Donovan four minutes before halftime after teammate Jozy Altidore had been fouled by defender Giorgio Chiellini.
The second half belonged to the Italians, who ended up outshooting the U.S., 22-10, and earning nine corner kicks to one for the Americans.
With the U.S. still ahead, 1-0, Italy Coach Marcello Lippi sent Rossi into the game in the 57th minute. Sixty seconds later, Rossi had tied the score.
Stripping U.S. midfielder Benny Feilhaber of the ball, Rossi unleashed a 25-yard shot that smacked into the back of the net well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tim Howard.
“I have known him since he was 10 years old,” U.S. Coach Bob Bradley, who is also from New Jersey, said of Rossi. “We had hoped he would play for us. He is a very talented young player and today is a very exciting day for him and a very disappointing one for us.”
Rossi, whose parents are Italian, left New Jersey at age 12 to play in the youth system of Italian Serie A club Parma. Monday was his sixth appearance for Italy.
Tying the match settled Italian nerves and Lippi’s team dominated from then on. Rossi gave Italy the lead in the 72nd minute with another long-range shot after the U.S. failed to close him down.
The third goal was created by Andrea Pirlo, who danced through the U.S. defense before cutting a pass back for Rossi to hammer into the net to the delight of Italian fans in the crowd of 34,341 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
“I dedicate the goals to my family, who are watching the game on TV in America,” Rossi said.
“The red card made all the difference,” Donovan said. “Eleven guys from each side were prepared and ready to play the game, and the guy in the middle with the whistle wasn’t.”
Brazil’s victory was nowhere near as clear cut. Coach Dunga’s team held a 3-1 lead at halftime after goals by Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Juan, but Egypt tied it in the second half on goals by Mohamed Shawky and Mohamed Zidan, who also had scored in the first half.
Only a penalty kick goal by Kaka in the final minute after Ahmed Al Muhamadi had blocked Lucio’s goal-bound shot with his arm salvaged the win for Brazil.
The U.S. plays Brazil on Thursday in Pretoria.
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