If you didn't see it, this photo -- while good -- still doesn't do it justice. The level of egregious screw-up is hard to define, but I'll try. The USA came back from an 0-2 hole (which, in soccer, is pretty damn impressive) and then pressed for the equalizer. On a free kick, the US set up for the attack and ultimately scored, despite at least two blatant fouls by Slovenia. In the photo above, you can see USA's Bradley being wrapped up in a bear hug -- he was then called offsides. Those aren't his arms -- those are the arms of the Slovenian behind him.
Despite horrendous cheating, the USA still managed to score. But since cheating wasn't enough, the official called the US offsides (players cannot be behind the opposing defense without the ball), which they clearly were not to the naked eye....and the replay easily confirmed that.
John Harkes, calling the game, said "That should have either been a USA goal or a foul on Slovenia." Neither happened, of course.
Alexei Lalas, back on the ESPN set, said "We don't want to dwell on it, but that was a disgrace."
I know the rest of the world wants to see the US lose -- especially at soccer. But this is ridiculous.
Hopefully the inspired comeback and motivated play will carry over to their final group game against Algeria, who they must beat.
[UPDATE: Just read that the official would not elaborate on what the call was, only to say that it was not offsides. Well, yeah, we all know it wasn't offsides, jackhole.]
8 comments:
I think the "official" call from FIFA after the game was a foul on Edu, the guy who scored the goal. It was embarrassing.
If you watch that clip again, you can hear the whistle before the shot, and the ref is already pointing Slovenia's direction ... I think ESPN assumed it was offside because they couldn't imagine what the US were doing to get called for a foul.
All in all, it was very much like in other sports: inconsistent officiating, questionable calls in both directions, and an absolutely abysmal call that no one wants to explain thoroughly.
It would be nice to see the US play Algeria as if they were actually, you know, heavily favored and all that. This team just doesn't wear that hat well.
I was furious about that, but at least anyone who watches the replay knows we should have won it. I really hope it was just a brain-fart by the official because if it really was something 'political' he has against the USA then he should just be ashamed.
The funny thing is that despite that, thanks to Algeria, we have a reasonable shot to win the group. If we beat Algeria and England beat Slovenia, we take Group C.
Actually, I'm fairly sure we'll qualify no matter what, because English fans are likely to rip their team apart after this last result, and I'm fairly sure FIFA would allow us to advance in their place if they finished second.
If England beats Slovenia and we beat Algeria, we advance.
If Slovenia beats England and we beat or tie Algeria, we advance.
If Slovenia and England tie and we beat Algeria, we advance.
If Slovenia and England tie and we tie Algeria, we advance only if we end up having scored more goals than England. Right now England has 1 and we have 3.
If England beats Slovenia and we tie Algeria, we're out.
If we lose, we're out.
In addition to the rules of offside, the offside player has to be in the play. Even if Bradley would be called for offside it wouldn't apply to the goal.
It should also be noted the African crew that called the game had their first ever FIFA appearance.
This was clearly a terrible call but stop with the "everyone wants to see the US lose..." nonsense. Poor officiating happens all the time in every sport but there is no conspiracy here. The US deserved and should have won but no one is out to get them.
I feel the US has to prove they can content by beating Algeria, otherwise the next round won't matter.
On that note. http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/06/18/referee-koman-coulibaly-could-face-expulsion-from-world-cup?ncid=txtlnkusspor00000002
He's out.
Meanwhile, for the rest of us uninterested, self-centered, unenlightened American pigs, the Boilers picked up two commits for the defensive line.
Randy Gregory (DE) 6-6/210
Michael Rouse III (DT) 6-4/300
I do hope the U.S. team routes Hufflepuff in the next game, although there's NO WAY they're beating Gryffindor.
Post a Comment