Live The Pitch

Referee Koman Coulibaly will have some serious questions to answer after his controversial call in the 85th minute that looks to have cost the Americans a much deserved victory. Landon Donovan served in a beautiful free kick to the back post and found a streaking Maurice Edu who volleyed the ball into the net. It was a magnificent goal and possibly the goal of the tournament, if not for poor officiating.

To deny a goal like this in World Cup play is horrendous. Coulibaly was refereeing his first ever World Cup match and looked like he didn’t belong. Throughout the match he looked lost and unsure of many calls. I am not a person who blames referees but to take away a goal with so much on the line is unforgivable.

I don’t know why the Americans came out so flat but that was one of the worst halves of soccer I have seen from our boys in a long time. Sure, we put ourselves in a bad spot going down two goals in the first half but they really left it all out on the field in the second half and showed a lot of heart.

Again, I really hate to put a loss on a referee but after watching the replay on that penalty he called one has to wonder. Coulibaly would not let the players know on the pitch what his call was apparently. Since FIFA refuse to comment on calls we will probably never hear what the call was for.