U.S.A. World Cup Hopes Remain Alive

Landon Donovan fires home the goal that started the US comeback.

In a game clouded with controversy, it could be easy to forget that the U.S. have put themselves in a favorable position to advance with Friday’s 2 – 2 draw with Slovenia.
(The 0 – 0 draw in the England/Algeria match only strengthened this position.)  An emotional roller coaster from the get go, this game could very well be considered the most exciting game of the World Cup thus far.  Unfortunately, a match that should be remembered for the American’s outstanding comeback, will instead be synonymous with the questionable calls made by center referee Koman Coulibaly.

Once again the U.S. was forced to play from an early deficit when Slovenia scored in the 13^th minute.  Valter Birsa collected the ball 30 yards from frame and was inconceivably allowed to carry the ball uncontested another 7 yards closer where he unleashed a left footed shot to the upper right of the net that left Tim Howard frozen.  It was exactly the type of thing that the U.S. team was hoping to avoid in their second match of the tournament.  For the next 25 minutes, the U.S. team out-possessed and created multiple opportunities on net, including a Torres free kick in the 36th minute that forced Slovenian keeper, Samir Handanovic, to come up with a solid save in order to maintain the clean sheet to that point.  Soon after, Dempsey sent a low cross through the six yard box that saw Donovan nearly get his foot to the ball as he slid into the net.  On the ensuing counter attack, the Slovenians would get their second goal at the 42 minute mark which could have very easily left the Americans hanging their heads.  The ball was played through to Zlatan Ljubijankic who avoided the off sides trap by getting in behind Onyewu and calmly pushed the ball under Tim Howard from eight yards out. Two minutes earlier saw Findley on the receiving end of one of the first controversial calls by referee Coulibally.  While positioned in the Slovenia six yard box for a cross, Findley saw the ball bounce harmlessly off his face while attempting to redirect it into the net with his head.  His reward was a yellow card for a phantom hand ball that will keep him out of Wednesday’s Algeria match as he also received a yellow card in the England game.

We asked the referee many times, and he wouldn’t or couldn’t explain.
Landon Donovan

The second half could have easily seen the American’s playing without any wind in their sails.  Instead, they came out with passion, heart and organization.  It began with Bob Bradley making the decision to replace Robbie Findley and Jose Torres with Maurice Edu and Benny Feilhaber.  It continued in the 48^th minute with Landon Donovan running onto a Steve Cherundolo through-ball that was misjudged by Green Dragon’s midfielder, Bostjan Cesar.  Donovan carried the ball nearly to the endline and into the six yard box looking for a passing opportunity before deciding to unleash a shot into the top of the net that saw Slovenian goalkeeper, Handanovic, nearly falling into the net as if he was afraid to get hit.  This was the catalyst the U.S. needed in order to believe the game was still in reach.  For the next 34 minutes, the U.S. continued to gain opportunities on net while the Slovenian side began employing physical tactics that led to them receiving three yellow cards.

It was easy to see that the momentum had begun to shift dramatically in the U.S.’s favor and was culminated in the 82^nd minute.  After a Slovenian foul led to a Donovan free kick, Altidore did well to head the ball down into the heart of the 18 yard box allowing Bradley to sprint into the area and touch the ball into the top of the net from about eight yards out.  The comeback was complete… or so it would seem.

Maurice Edu fired home the game winner, so it seemed. Edu's goal was disallowed for a phantom foul.

The U.S. appeared to have taken the lead in the 86^th minute when Edu pushed home another beautifully served ball from a Landon free kick that was set up along the side of the 18 yard box. Coulibally blew his whistle shortly after the ball left Donovan’s foot, calling a foul that is yet to be explained.  Numerous replays showed many Slovenian fouls, however, they failed to show exactly what Coulibally saw from the American side.  FIFA’s official statement from Coulibally was simply that he had no comment on what exactly was called.  Landon Donovan was quoted as saying, “We asked the referee many times, and he wouldn’t or couldn’t explain.”  Prior to the beginning of the World Cup, FIFA officials made it a point to let teams know that there would be a zero tolerance policy for grappling in the 18 yard box.  Which leads one to wonder what the referee’s interpretation was for the three American’s who were literally wrapped in bear hugs as the ball floated toward frame.

Even though the reffing in this game will no doubt be the focus of the media and U.S. fans, it should not be lost that the American’s showed incredible determination and grit in ensuring that their World Cup hopes remain alive.  A victory against Algeria this Wednesday will ensure passage into the second round, and even though it would be easy to dwell on the victory that almost was, there are a lot of positives to carry over into that match.  Now if we can only stop spotting the opposition the early lead.