On the reffing today. Ho hum. Some days you get it some days you don't. Just the way it goes. Personally, I never argued with the reffs. That's a can't win situation. I have told my players over the years to say two words, "Yes Sir".
You give the best advice to your players. The refs must be quite an uneven lot here but I'm sure their egos are plenty large and they will make you pay if you slight them.
Usually I would agree with the ho hum aspect of refing. But not today.
Not when you throw out two guys who didn't draw blood. Not to be extreme, but from a realistic perspective, this was not defensible.
But from a coaching perspective I agree. You have to move on and deal with it as best you can.
Today, what the US did with 9 men is just incredible. That they did it against Italy is nothing short of amazing.
Let me put it this way. If it was Italy or another European team down 10 men to 9, do you think you would see the amount of risks and attacking the US did today. Hell no!
That's why I think people should temper any criticism of the US. They had to battle with fatigue and the strain of effort late in the game being down two men.
Not many people can say they've experienced that. On any level.
Wise advise, not always easy to follow though, regardless of what sport you are playing.