Return of the Ref
My gawd, another red card in the 46′? You are f’n kidding me.
Now, given the horrible bias the US had, they performed ok. I think they could have played better, specifically:
Keller - What the fuck? How about trying to kick the ball to one of our players now and then. I’ve seen better goal keeping in 1997 MLS. Jim St. Andre, anyone?
Beasley - When your coach calls you out on the carpet and then subs you in as a pair of fresh legs, how about you use them? Again, What the fuck? Use those jets!
Arena - Hey Bruce, you have 3 subs. When you have 8 guys that are near dead on the field and one sub, use it. I mean seriously, 1 point does you jack, even if Ghana won.
So to recap, in our group — we have 3 teams that have 3 points each and one team that has 1 point (USA). Two of the three point teams play each other. Let’s say they draw, giving them 4 points each. The USA must win to also get 4 points. The tiebreaker is goal differential, and losing 3-0 means the US has to kick Ghana’s ass by 4 goals at a minimum to advance. Now, if one of the 3 point teams beats the other 3 point team, it would be 6/4/3/3 if the US wins, and they advance. So we have to hope for a winner in the CKR - ITA game and the US must win the Ghana game.
Of course, I’m doing this all in my head. I may be off my ass.
June 17th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Cracking game, somewhat spoiled by the ref. Second US red card was deserved, first was harsh - and quite how De Rossi was trying to defend his disgraceful actions, I don’t know.
Czech V Italy will be a classic. The Czechs have to win, because if they draw and Ghana beat the US, then it’s game over.
June 17th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
I don’t really know diddley about european football, but I agree whole heartedly about your comments on Beasley and Arena.
The referee was terrible and it went both ways. I’ve watched 2 games a day for the last week, and that has to be a low point for the tournament. I’ve been confused all week over what is and is not a yellow card. In my unknowledgeable opinion, the refs have been quick on the draw with the yellow. I would think that a yellow would be given for a clear attempt to do something illegal, not simply for playing hard. And what is up with not giving the advantage to the offensive player with offsides calls? I have yet to see a game where this hasn’t been blown at least once. Seems to me this would let the game open up a bit more.
June 17th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
Arena has no clue. He’s a man up in the first half in a must-win game and he plays with one forward??? And before the game he is bad-mouthing one of his best players, yet says nothing about Pope? Putting too much faith in an aging defender…Earth To Bruce, Earth to Bruce ….. do the words Jeff Agoos mean nothing to you?
June 17th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
haha, agreed 100%