Team USA was robbed...by the referee

[brentspeak]

Of all the bad luck -- the very worst possible WC referee officiates the USA's game against Italy. The red against the US were B.S.

Great job...great job by Team USA to bounce back from the Czech loss. Very proud of their performance today.

[Kire]

1. He was suspended in 2002 for "irregularities"

I don't know what that means exactly, did he do something in 2002, or was he suspended during 2002. But, he is the worst Ref in the WC this year. I hope they expell him.

[brentspeak]

2. It's just like FIFA to bring back a dubious ref to the WC

I also hate FIFA's rule that two yellow cards prevents a player from being in the next game.

[ContraBass Black]

3. I wasn't proud.

I saw a lot of unnecessary fouling and very poor defensive coordination. I think that game was a horrific embarrassment for almost everyone involved.

Also, the ESPN commentators have become unbearably repetitive. I'm tired of goalkeepers "directing traffic" and players "nod the ball forward."

The other team I support, Ghana, made me very proud today. Some of their plays were like magic.

[Kire]

6. I support Ghana too

Have you ever been there? It's really wonderful if you go with the right group, like I did.

[ContraBass Black]

10. The last time I went was to visit my grandparents 16 years ago.

I went with my older brother. We were children, but Swiss Air conveyed us without incident.

[brentspeak]

7. Except for Ghana's shameless diving techniques

I counted about three dives by the Ghana players during the USA game. Fortunately, though the USA lost (and got robbed by the ref, for a second time -- third time, if you count 2002's QF against Germany), Team USA at plays the game with some dignity.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

4. that was some horrific reffing. i noticed it from the beginning

he wouldn't let them play at first, everything was a foul.

Then that Italian psychopath elbowed McBride, redded out and the ref went apeshit.

I've never seen anything quite like it, and I'm not used to blaming the loss on the ref but goddamn that was some horrific officiating, if not corrupt.

[peacebuzzard]

8. I saw that. That was brutal

[Brewman_Jax]

5. And again

in the "foul" in the penalty area against Ghana. :(

[insane_cratic_gal]

9. Actually it wasn't

If you take into consideration that the only goal USA scored in that match was kicked in by Italy.

We were outclassed all the way through the world cup, we didn't score on Italy, Italy scored on Italy