Another Aussie Tussle

The USA's de facto three-game series in 2008 with Australia has come to an end and it was exciting to say the least. The USA won all three games with a late goal -- today's not nearly as late as in the two matches in the States -- and both teams will probably be happy to see some other opponents. Today's match was physical - the Aussies had 16 fouls -- and the heat and humidity didn't make it any easier, although it was a excellent game for the USA as the Olympics in China are sure to be played in similar conditions. Tomorrow, the players who didn't play or didn't play much today will hit the training field for an hour while the starters will do a short pool workout. Then its Brazil on Tuesday in another afternoon match. Pretty good game between Brazil and Italy today. The Brazilians definitely had the better of the game in the early going, but the Italians could have easily tied or won the game in the last 15 minutes. Some sloppy finishing did in the Azzurra, but Brazil played some intense, scrambling defense as well. With both the USA and Brazil with a win in Group B, and Italy and Australia with a loss, the winner of the USA-Brazil match should have a leg up in making the championship game.