2006 SOCCER WORLD CUP - Day 9 Thread - USA v Italy, Czech v Ghana

MLSnet.com ^ | 6-17-06 | MLSnet.com

[soccer_maniac]

The U.S. national team faces a must-win situation Saturday against Italy (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The U.S. lineup could see some changes, including adding Eddie Johnson. Czech Republic and Ghana play earlier in the day (11:30 a.m., ABC), while Portugal advanced by beating Iran 2-0.

[Aquinasfan]

Thanks to everyone for keeping me sane.

The US side redeemed itself. I love the way we played. Nothing held back. Italy looked flat. Looking forward to Thursday. Fingers crossed.

I want Alexi Lalas commentating on the next game.

Now, back to staining the deck...

[dfwgator]

Italy blew the match IMHO with all of their offsides, I can't believe they were so bad in that area.

[thehumanlynx]

chill out?

[Incorrigible]

[thehumanlynx]

wrong, refs are infallible inside of games. no amount of talent can overcome a flagrant whistleblower, sorry its not about rising above. the game still could have been won, but the ref RUINED the game. no question.

[dfwgator]

At least we won't finish 32nd again, like we did in France.

[Perdogg]

can't they pull the goalie for an extra attacker?

[soccer_maniac]

Moral victory of the US! HEROIC!!!! THE US DESERVED TO WIN. THAT REFEREE SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!

Great playing by our boys today. However, this has to be the worst reffed match of the WC. He was TERRIBLE!

[notfornothing]

Wow. What a game. We were all jumping up and down, screaming at the television, cursing that idiot referee.... I'm not sure I can take another one like this. Why in the world didn't Arena put Eddie Johnson it at the end there? Has anyone figured that out?

[thehumanlynx]

This referee should never appear in a FIFA-sanction match again. EVER. That was a travesty, and the referee stole 2 well-earned points from the US. They completely outplayed Italy, who was reduced to flopping like fish out of water to try to draw free kicks and cards.

correct. people watering down the refs calls are way out of line.

[soccer_maniac]

[Incorrigible]

CHUMP!

[freedumb2003]

For the Italians, this tie is like a defeat.

I hope some Italians are crying all night on this one, soince their team cheats as a strategy. And since that crappy ref hurt us more than them they can't even say "we wuz robbed."

Funny, since Soccer is still an unknown spectator sport here.

[romanesq]

Italy were bad on offsides, but the linesmen did blow a couple.
We deserved the break considering the match was ruined by a Uruguay ref who has been previously suspended and judged as ass by his peers.

Why would FIFA put a ref who has been suspended for irregularities by his peers to ref in the World Cup?

And chosen over not one UK ref. Nice FIFA, nice.

[dfwgator]

They could, but the extra attacker usually doesn't have that much impact, because there are simply more players on the field, than in hockey. But some goalies are good enough with the ball that sometimes they do join in the attack, I've seen it a few times.

[thehumanlynx]

who knows.. Reyna was walking and needed to come out..

[scrabblehack]

So the group standings are:

TEAM W-D-L PTS GF-GA
ITA 1-1-0 4 3-1
GHA 1-0-1 3 2-2
CZE 1-0-1 3 3-2
USA 0-1-1 1 1-4

So, let's see...if ITA beats CZE, and USA beats GHA, ITA and USA advance...If CZE beats ITA, then USA must make up a 5 goal differential with ITA (and 2 in the GF column) to tie, 6 to win....If CZE and ITA tie then USA need only make up a 4 goal differential (2 in the GF column) with CZE to tie, 5 to win (but they'd have to do it all themselves)...

[dfwgator]

Total lack of discipline on the Italian's part, their press is going to skewer them.

[wolf78]

The US side redeemed itself. I love the way we played. Nothing held back. Italy looked flat. Looking forward to Thursday. Fingers crossed.

Foxsoccer.com's Nick Webster is spot-on with his commentary:

"They did it!!!!!

I don't know about the players but I'm absolutely shattered. One of the best games of the tournament...not for skill but for balls and the US had a big pair tonight. I feel very proud to be covering them and they're still in the World Cup, so if the mainstream press gives it their usual treatment. Tell 'em to stuff it where the sun don't shine.

Keller MOM and deservedly so but they're all heroes.

Signing off and heading back to Cologne."

Link

[Incorrigible]

can't they pull the goalie for an extra attacker?

Sure can but I wouldn't when playing Italy!