USA coach Bruce Arena was angry with Italian midfielder Daniele de Rossi after the Italian’s elbow left USA striker Brian McBride needing three stitches under his eye.
The midfielder was sent off, the first of three dismissals in an ill-tempered match in Kaiserslautern.
“It was a vicious elbow and it could have broken his face,” said Arena.
However, Arena also paid tribute to his side after their nine men held on for a draw, saying: “I respect the team for the way they dealt with it.
“A lot of teams would use it as an excuse for losing on the day but my boys played with all their heart.
“Under extraordinary circumstances they played exceptionally. I don’t think I have ever been in a game that ended with nine playing against 10.”
Pablo Mastroeni was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Andrea Pirlo, while Eddie Pope saw red after two bookings for the US.
But Arena, who during the match couild be seen remonstrating with the referee, refused to criticise the official afterwards.
“Two red cards is pretty harsh. I’ve never had two players sent off in a game, this is the first time and I hope the only time.
“There is no way you can train a team to play 10 against nine for 30-something minutes. But I’m proud of my team.”
“Claudio Reyna has had two great games for us and Landon Donovan made a fantastic effort today, so did all of our midfield.
“And Kasey Keller came up big for us – we never doubted he would.
“We are where we wanted to be going into the third round of matches, perhaps four points will be enough to get out of this group.”
