World Cup 2006

[The BIGSTUD]

GO USA!

[NGM]

All of this is assuming, of course, that the US even beats Ghana. And that is definitely not a safe assumption. Ghana looked pretty damned good today.

They took the Czechs to school today.  I wouldn't be as worried if the Republik was clearly superior and just got unlucky but Ghana was the better team in every aspect. 

[SunMo]

the US has a chance to get into the next round, even though they haven't scored a goal yet.  sweet.

[NGM]

Obviously the US needs a striker thats 6'5 or taller.....someone like the Hulkster.

[SunMo]

Hulkster would be an awesome soccer player.  no doubt in my mind.

[NGM]

What are you gonna do when the Hulkster heads in a cross on you?

Get in the fetal postion and cry a lot, obviously.

[ice grillin you]

americans blaming someone else....no way

wah boo hoo the refs stink

[Geowhizzer]

americans blaming someone else....no way

wah boo hoo the refs stink

I didn't say they favored one side or the other.  They did, however, suck like a Hoover.

[Drunkmasterflex]

americans blaming someone else....no way

wah boo hoo the refs stink

You obviously didn't watch the game, it was definately a horribly called game for both sides.  A game shouldn't be influenced by the refs this one was.  I don't know who would have won, but all three of the red cards should not have been called.  Other than the refs the US did a helluva job scoring a tie against a perennial powerhouse.

[ice grillin you]

i actually did watch the game

soccer is so boring  a team can play a man down for a whole match and still not lose


im convinced a team could actually play two or three men down and still manage a scoreless tie if they wanted

the whole sport is just a complete waste

i hope the americans lose 7-0 to ghana

af-fri-ca
af-fri-ca

[rjs246]

Fascinating, AND unpatriotic to boot. What's not to like?

[QB Eagles]

all three of the red cards should not have been called.

That's a tough argument to make. The Italian red card was for a vicious elbow that may lead not just to a red card, but to a 6 game ban. I've read it described in a few European publications as the low point of the tournament so far. That was the kind of elbow that could have gotten someone kicked out of a hockey game.

The American red cards were iffy. Personally I think the first one should have been a yellow. The second USA red card was actually a second yellow card on Pope; I think that was pretty harsh for  the tackle. Should have been a warning. I think all of the red cards are technically defensible, but if games were reffed that tight consistently, there would be 10 red cards every match.

[bobbyinlondon]

i actually did watch the game

soccer is so boring  a team can play a man down for a whole match and still not lose


im convinced a team could actually play two or three men down and still manage a scoreless tie if they wanted

the whole sport is just a complete waste

i hope the americans lose 7-0 to ghana

af-fri-ca
af-fri-ca

A team could play with 2 or 3 men down and actually play a scoreless tie? Yeah, okay. Tell that to Serbia-Montenegro, who went to 10 men after a red card  and watche dthe Argentians blitz them for 3 goals after they went to 10.

[bobbyinlondon]

all three of the red cards should not have been called.

That's a tough argument to make. The Italian red card was for a vicious elbow that may lead not just to a red card, but to a 6 game ban. I've read it described in a few European publications as the low point of the tournament so far. That was the kind of elbow that could have gotten someone kicked out of a hockey game.

The American red cards were iffy. Personally I think the first one should have been a yellow. The second USA red card was actually a second yellow card on Pope; I think that was pretty harsh for  the tackle. Should have been a warning. I think all of the red cards are technically defensible, but if games were reffed that tight consistently, there would be 10 red cards every match.

Agreed about the Italian red card--that was well deserved. You just can't elbow a guy in the face and not play the ball.

Mastroeni's red card might have been deserved if he went in studs up, as they say over here. However, I've seen worse fouls being yellow carded.

As for Pope's sending off, that was not deserved at all. I stayed up to watch the highlights, since I missed the first 30 minutes while on the way home from work, and his first yellow, the Italian player actually pulled him over. His second yellow, he clearly won the ball, and the Italian player dived over his leg, milking it for all it was worth.

Perhaps you noticed after that every Italian player who was challenged dived to try either to draw a free kick or an American yellow card, but the ref "mysteriously swallowed his whistle" after that.

I originally thought that Beasley's goal should have been allowed, but on the highlights, it clearly showed a shaded area between him and McBride, where McBride was ahead of him and in front of the last defender, which is, unfortunately, offsides.

For the uninitiated, the Italians, French, and Germans, but particularly the Italians are well known for their diving antics. It happens whenever a British team plays an Italian team in any of the Champions' league ames or UEFA Cup games--regularly.

Still, I myself am proud of the team, and my colleagues have nothing to say to me on Monday morning about how bad the American team is--especially when England has been less than spectacular.

The American flag is still flying at Chez Ramsey, and will fly until they get eliminated from the competition.

[Rome]

Jorge Larrionda is a fricken disgrace as a referee.

It's official: FIFA lays an egg with choice of referee

BY BERNIE MIKLASZ
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS - As a certifiable World Cup wacko, I have mixed feelings about Saturday's compelling and dramatic 1-1 draw between the United States and Italy.

It was an event that had everything most American sports fans can relate to, including blood and bad officiating. The sides provided superb soccer, grand theater and inspirational effort.

And we had our emotions roiled in a variety of ways.

Purists who applaud beautiful plays had to enjoy Italy's first goal, initiated on a set piece. Those who respect hard-nosed competitors were saluting Brian McBride after the former St. Louis U. forward returned moments after having his head split open on a vicious elbow thrown by Italy's Daniele De Rossi.

Those who appreciate the sport's subtlety and strategy had to appreciate the effective tactical changes made by U.S. coach Bruce Arena. Pulling out of a misguided defensive approach that left his team tentative and timid in a demoralizing 3-0 opening loss to the Czech Republic, Arena turned his men to a forward position, turned them loose and instilled an attacking mentality.

Americans with strong patriotic foundations or those who care deeply about the growth of U.S. soccer had to be proud of the way their highly charged team performed under difficult circumstances. If you pull for underdogs, this was your squad.

The desperate U.S. largely outplayed the Azzurri, an eternal soccer power, despite playing a man short for most of the second half.

So why do I have the mixed feelings? Probably for the same reasons you do.

The Yanks were victimized by hideous officiating. Jorge Larrionda, 38 and a clerk from Uruguay, did everything in his power to ruin a spectacular match. The Italians were on the receiving end of some terrible rulings as well, but the United States got the worst of it.

Larrionda was right to eject De Rossi for his intentional assault on McBride. The red card left Italy a man short, and later the Italian coach agreed with the call. But instead of maintaining the strength of his convictions, Larrionda obviously felt the need to even things up and give the Italians a break. And he waited for the opportunity to do so.

Larrionda got his chance in the 45th minute when he red-carded U.S. defender Pablo Mastroeni for a late tackle on Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo. The tackle, at most, warranted a yellow card.

In the 47th minute, Larrionda was at it again, this time showing the red card to U.S. defender Eddie Pope. The red card was automatic because Pope had received his second yellow card of the day, after fouling Alberto Gilardino. But Larrionda could have kept that yellow card in his pocket; it was a borderline infraction.

Referees are aware of game situations, so Larrionda had to know he'd be leaving the United States with nine men on the field against Italy's 10 the rest of the way. Pope was at fault, too. As a veteran he had to realize the match was being regulated by an out-of-control ref. And that calls for more restraint. But how can any player be expected to adjust to gross incompetence?

Larrionda issued seven cards overall Saturday. Before play began this month, the Guardian (UK) did a story on officials and quoted Larrionda as saying, "Let's hope red and yellow don't become the colors of this World Cup."

He apparently said this without irony.   

The overriding question is this: How could FIFA entrust Larrionda with such an important assignment?

Larrionda disallowed a Brazil goal vs. Uruguay in 2004, and replays showed he blew the call, because the ball had crossed the goal line by a half yard.

More disturbing was Larrionda's six-month suspension for "irregularities" in 2002. He was scratched from working the 2002 World Cup. According to multiple news reports at the time, Larrionda's suspension came after the Uruguay soccer authorities conducted a three-month investigation into allegations of corruption.

Twenty-one men were picked to referee the 2006 World Cup. Would FIFA have us believe Larrionda is one of the 21 best in the world?

The Italy vs. U.S. match should have been an unconditionally great day for soccer.

Instead, Larrionda left us seeing red.

Sad, indeed.  Still, it was very a enjoyable match despite the idiotic officiating.