By RONALD BLUM

The Associated Press

HAMBURG, Germany – Heart. Courage. Grit. Determination. Never has the U.S. soccer team sounded so proud of a tie.

Then again, never before had the Americans earned a World Cup point in Europe, as they did in an improbable roller-coaster of a game against world power Italy.

“They brought an attitude to the field and a confidence that allowed them to be successful yesterday,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said Sunday, a day after the historic – and grueling and tantalizing – 1-1 tie.

For nearly the entire second half Saturday night, the United States labored with nine men against Italy’s 10, following the rapid-fire ejections of one Italian player, then two Americans.

The wide-open play left players drained. They got back to their hotel at about 3 a.m., after about 40 airmen gave them a spirited send-off at Ramstein Air Base, and Arena gave his players the day off Sunday. Captain Claudio Reyna ate ice cream with his family in the mall below the team hotel just before the start of Arena’s news conference.

Monday it will be back to work, with Ghana on their minds.

The United States (0-1-1) can advance to the second round from Group E if it beats Ghana (1-1) on Thursday and Italy (1-0-1) defeats the Czech Republic (1-1). There are several other improbable combinations, but all hinge on a U.S. victory.

Last week, the Americans were ridiculed following their opening 3-0 loss to the Czechs. It appeared they had regressed from four years ago, when they advanced to the quarterfinals, earning admiration back home and a modicum of the respect they crave in Europe.

Brian McBride personified the U.S. effort. Two bandages crisscrossed a cheek late Saturday night, the result of an elbow that sent off Italy’s Daniele De Rossi, the night’s first departure. At first Arena worried that McBride might have to leave the game, but the forward stayed in, took three stitches at the half and wound up covering for many of his teammates in the midfield and on defense after the ejections left wide-open space.

Arena, as bountiful in his praise as he was stingy last week, called him “a warrior.”

More of the same will be required against Ghana. They’ll have to do it without Mastroeni and defender Eddie Pope, suspended following their red cards. That could lead to starting spots for Conrad and DaMarcus Beasley.

Ghana will be without two starters: Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.