Posted on 06/17/2006 8:05:31 AM PDT by 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.
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I know. I need to ignore them cuz I have a test... Thats it. I'm closing this window. I will resist the urge to yell at these idiots. Good day America loving friends!!! Good day!
Yes I watched whole game, he was fair for both teams. As a objective observer (I even cheered for the US) I claim so. Relax, see the replays carefully and you will admit the same if you know the rules :)
Good Day and I hope everyone will hoist one and toast our fine team today.
Team USA - you done us proud!
Uruguay is just still pissed off that they lost to Australia.
I know the rules. Do you get any money for defending the ref?
Please detail your relationship to anyone from Uruguay.
It's looking better and better that the Aussies advanced.
Down with Uruguay and their "irregular" ref.
I don't think there was anyway that Mastroeni gets that red card unless Italy was a man down. A yellow, yes, but not a red. That was a make-up call. I had no problem with the calls on Pope, he was our weak link. Getting him out of there was 'addition by subtraction.'
I just stated the fact, you are pissed off, this is all.
I thought that call was harsh.
The Norwegian commentators though it was nuts.
Personally, I would call it a yellow card with a red tinge to it. It was a rather bad challenge.
I think the first US red card was somewhat questionable, but in no way scandalous...
If you know what I mean... :-)
Yeah, I definitely think that's probably the biggest problem...no rooting interest. That pretty much makes any sport a bore if you have no one to cheer for.
I also think that the free flowing nature of the game makes it hard for Americans to get into.
In every other major American sport there are lots of discrete, easily identifiable plays where one team wins and one team loses: a pitch is either a ball or a strike; a football play either gains yards or it doesn't; a shot is either made or missed. There's always something to cheer even if those plays mean nothing to the outcome of the game.
When you don't have those little cues I think a lot of Americans find it hard to maintain interest.
I am more curious about Pope's first yellow. Some people wanted him sent out for that. Didn't the Italian tug his shirt with equal fervour?
The market will be there for soccer, just don't try to push it down our throats. Also, if our soccer team had a uniquley American style of play that we could actually watch on TV, we'd watch it too. A quick scoring, hard nosed defense that can run fast, but isn't known for agility would be the perfect model for the USA to rally around.
I agree.
I never cared for American football.
Then, I moved to Colorado. Go Buffs :-)
When, you got into the game, American football is an excellent game. The comeback the University of Colorado pulled against Michigan was easily one of the greatest sporting moments I have experienced.
I love sports though. Give me any competition, from the world cup to a game of darts, and I am there :-)
Brutal attack from the behind is nothing else but red card. However this is true that referees if they give early red to one team, later search the occasion to send off second’s team player. Mastroeni gave him this opportunity and only he is the one to blame. I watched the game with father and brother, both cheered for the US and both agree with me.
In the last ten minutes of the USA-Italy game, every ball was huge, that's intensity. It's like the last few minutes of a hockey game when a team is up by only one goal, the other team sends the kitchen sink to equalize.
You talking to me? :-)
You make some good points though.
Great game tonight though.
I admit that I don’t exactly remember his first yellow, second was deserved.
Oh, he has a purpose, still not sure what it is. I think they should have used an experience player like Ben Olsen.
Once again, I fully agree with your assessment. The US owned the midfield for most of the game, they got around the box no problem, but lacked a solid finisher.
They had some great looks, but nobody to capitalize. We are sorely missing a creative striker, IMO.
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