Great work by the US to get back in this game, considering how bad the first half went. I know the call went against the US (and for the record it was totally a legitimate goal) but you will still qualify. Take heart from the fight back, forget about the poor call for Edu's disallowed goal and go win your final game against Algeria.
Slovenia is not a terrible squad. They are not a squad of class nor they are awful. However, they are decent. Decent does not equal out to awful, in my opinion. They are an intelligent and disciplined (for the most part) squad. However, they have struggled in the centre of their back four and that was well known. I pointed it out earlier in this thread as the reason why they may fail to go any place. In my opinion, this game summed up their world cup and it is why they will fail to go through. I don't see them beating England nor do I see the United States failing to overcome the Algerians.
Truth be told, I don't think even the referee has a clue as to what call he made on the pitch. That was just bad. Just flat out bad.
It really is that simple....England should smoke Slovenia. The English back line is not like the Americans. BTW..Donovan was great...so was Altidore, although I felt he should have finished that chance he got in the 1st half. Bradley played well...Torres had ONE moment, but his start was a waste.
They pass the ball very well at times. Certainly better technically than the US. However they could not handle the physicality and ariel ability of the US, which was why I always felt the US would get back into that game. Birsa is also very good from the dead ball. He provided very good service from free kicks and corners.
Come on England! Epic comeback by the US. Sets up a shaky match three scenario for eng tho. Eng need to destroy Algeria to prevent a situation where Slov could be playing for a scoreless draw hoping to adv on tiebreakers. Eng needs to win by two vs Algeria to prevent that.
Their mid field is horrible. They were fouling to survive in that second half. The odds makers have been spot on in this world cup. There numbers have been great all WC. TRY ..JUST TRY to beat their numbers...you would have needed to take Serbia vs. Germany...to do so.
that same back line helped stave off england. They didn't play great today but calling them terrible is over exaggeration.
True, I'm with you there. We both know the Balkan region is technically sound and usually they deal with physicality pretty well (i.e. Serbia) but Slovenia is different. I think they got sloppy in the second half. I lost count on how many crosses/lobs they overhit and then they were not quick enough to turn and run when the ball was going on the opposite side of the pitch. They didn't want it enough and they got too comfortable with the lead. As you know in soccer, you can never get comfortable with your lead. All you need is one opportunity to change the game. Further, I have always felt that scoring a goal or allowing a goal before the half and/or right after the half is significantly detrimental to a team. It completely deflates your team and your mental state. I think the biggest X factor for any team going against the US is the counter because Landon Donovan orchestrates it so well.
BTW..the US has a gaping Hole next to Bradley...I would just go with Edu...what is the difference...we already know that Clark and Torres is not the answer. In the back line...just hold your breath. Can't do anything there. Donovan on the Left side and running Altidore Left to right seems to be paying off.
The US back line has given up 2 gift goals in this WC. They have a scouting department. Gerrard's goal was a mixture of brilliance and American stupidity. You close out Gerrard when he moves left. You can shadow him right..NEVER LEFT. he is too good. Today..that was embarrassing. UNMARKED players all around. and this has been going on for a while. Remember their epic collapse in the final vs. Brazil in the Con Cup. and again..in that England game..we broke down at least 4 times..so England left at least one goal on the field. that is all on Cherundolo, Gooch, Bocanegra, Demerit
I think they had the same struggles as the US in terms of getting stretched out defensively, which the commentators pointed to several times during the game. The middle of the field is tough to keep occupied when the US used the entire width of the pitch. I think that's something that more teams need to use and I know its something that Arsene Wenger stresses. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying Slovenia is a quality team. I don't think they are a team that will win anything any time soon. I just think they are a decent team and better than you give them credit for. A technically sound team will always have a chance to screw someone over. They did it to Russia in qualifying. Russia is better than them by miles and miles but a technically sound team will often be in games.
He is really good at running really fast in a straight line. Now..if he could play soccer...he would be great.
I get pretty excited for the Dolphins...but I feel like punching somebody in the face after this one. Preferably Bob Bradley.
Well the USA got screwed out of a win. Yes getting the 2-2 draw was exciting after falling behind, but that was a horrible call. If anything the US got fouled. Take the point, but if they had won they would be in control of the group and now if they have any hope of winning the group they have to hope for a draw today.[or an Algeria win, since they need to beat Algeria anyway.]
it is not true. He just made it up. Too bad we have replay. Too bad they keep playing it over and over and Edu has still not fouled. Maybe in the next 40 or 50 times they show it...Edu will foul.
Why does FIFA have refs from countries like Mali that don't even have good soccer teams anyway? Surely there are better ones in Africa-Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, etc.
Oh man, it isn't a World Cup without a controversial / blown call that decides a game. Pick a World Cup / Euro Cup and you will find at least one. Good job USA on the great comeback and sorry for the blown call. I'm sure it won't comfort you any but we've all been there. PS. I didn't see the game or the play in question. Saw highlights on tvgolo but not the called back goal.
Pure bull****. I saw the play, and the replay 10 times. There is no foul. None of the commentators think there was a foul. None of the players think there was a foul. What a ****ing joke.
It was a horrible call, plain and simple. There were two clear fouls on the play, neither were Edu. It should have been a PK or a goal. We were screwed. The fact that he wouldn't tell the players what the call was proves he had not idea why he blew the whistle. Also, I do not believe the commentators were biased. They were dead on in this match.
Not a good day for the refs after a fairly good first week. What is the nationality of the ref in the eng vs alg match? That Spanish ref who called the GER match must have been upset about Spain losing the other day and decided to get even dont know what the Mali refs gripe was. He wont be allowed into this country ever.
When you watch the replay, he's blowing the whistle before Donovan's cross gets to Edu. Clearly he saw something.
Are you from the US? You are the only person I have seen trying to defend this ref and that call. Did you watch the match? If you did then you would have noticed the 20 other calls and especially non calls that he blew. It's not even close.
I watched the match. The whistle was definitely blown before the kick (which i posted earlier), so it was definitely a foul call, not offsides. If you want to complain about calls, then Dempsey should have been booked in the first minute for that elbow. It always goes both ways, unless you are suggesting the game was fixed. And I don't see a nation of 2million having a game fixed against a market of 300million.
You seriously going to bring up ONE call that could have been called against the US? How about the 1000000 other calls or non calls against us? It was blatently one sided and anyone who says differently is either not from the US or just dumb.
