Live The Pitch

In Group C action today we had the United States taking on Algeria and England facing off against Slovenia.  Landon Donovan scored the goal of his career in extra time to defeat Algeria 1-0.  Jermaine Defoe scored a brilliant goal for England to defeat Slovenia 1-0.

England quickly made the game a must win for the U.S. when Jermaine Defoe scored in the 23rd minute. The word was definitely passed on to the players on the field with the U.S. attacking early and often.

The game was nearly a repeat of other American performances when Algeria sent a volley off the crossbar in the 6th minute. After an early scare, the U.S. settled down a bit and got into the flow of the game play really opened up. They had at least nine chances to score throughout the game, including another goal taken away from a poor off-sides call.

After a solid chance on goal from Algeria that ended with a Tim Howard save the U.S goalkeeper sent his second half-field throw right to Donovan in stride.  Donovan slotted a through ball to Jozy Altidore who then found a streaking Clint Dempsey who’s shot deflected off goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi right back to Donovan who continued his run to score the biggest goal in U.S. soccer history.

Donovan will surely go down as the greatest player to ever play for the U.S.  This is a huge accomplishment for American soccer fans as this is the first time they have won the group since 1930.

England dominated Slovenia from the first whistle but could not put the match out of reach.  Defoe’s goal was set up by a beautiful cross from Steven Gerrard.  England had numerous chances to add to their lead but made things interesting for English fans until the whistle blew.

With their World Cup fates on the line, Bob Bradley will lead the U.S. as they take on underdogs Algeria.  After coming off a heartbreaking tie with Slovenia, Bradley’s team controls their own fate.  Bradley has some key decisions to make with his roster as we are now less than 24 hours away from kickoff.  After watching Algeria draw 1-1 with heavily favored England, there are some concerns that have to be addressed.

Algeria play a very structured, defensive style of soccer that at times looks like a steel wall to opposing players.  Algeria is also very technical on the ball while in possession, rarely making a bad touch in the midfield.  The U.S. will have to counter this style by taking chances going forward with numbers on the counter attack and making sure they capitalize on their opportunities in front of goal.

Bradley needs to make sure that his outside backs are getting forward as much as possible.  Steve Cherundelo and Carlos Bocanegra both need to get involved more on the attack as the U.S. has been successful on balls served into the box.

In the central defense, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay Demerit need to make sure they are on the same page with pushing forward so they are not creating too much space in behind the midfield.  There is no room for dumb defensive mistakes like we have seen in previous matches with so much on the line.  Tim Howard in the goal will also have to be at his best to give the Americans a chance.

Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have been good overall throughout the first two matches but both still need to get the ball at their feet more.  Dempsey has much more to contribute to his team and hopefully he will have a breakout game.  Donovan has been the best player for Bradley so far and and his leadership on the pitch as been tremendous.

Michael Bradley has been superb in the central midfield for his father but the question will be if Bradley starts Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, or Jose Torres.  Clark started the first match and played pretty well, Edu had a huge impact in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia as a substitute, and Torres got the start last match.  Torres has more technical ability than Edu and Clark but lacks the size and pace they possess.

Jozy Altidore missed some training today due to an upset stomach but he should be alright to start up top for the match.  Robbie Findlay has been starting along with Jozy but has been a non factor and will miss the match with two yellow cards in prior games.  Look for Bradley to start Edson Buddle tomorrow.  Buddle would be my choice, but Bradley could also move Dempsey up top or start Hurculez Gomez.

There is no excuse if the U.S. doesn’t advance to the round of 16.  They know what has to be done and what is on the line.

GO USA!

Referee Koman Coulibally has been left off the FIFA referee list for the upcoming matches following his awful performance in the USA-Slovenia match. The U.S. clearly scored a magical game winning goal late in the match when Coulibaly awarded Slovenia a free kick from a foul that still has not been found. There is no word from FIFA whether this is his punishment or just a coincidence.

There have been reports saying that the call had to be made on Carlos Bocanegra for wrapping his arms around a defender inside the box or possible offsides on Michael Bradley. There was no reason to make this call when the replay clearly shows no foul by Bocanegra, an onside Michael Bradley, and three clear fouls on Slovenia. To make this type of call on this great stage is inexcusable.

Coulibaly has been left off FIFA’s list of referees who will work the upcoming matches. Coulibaly should be left off for the remainder of the tournament as he looked out of place and nervous throughout the match.

Here is the video of the would be game winning goal from Maurice Edu.

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.

Bob Bradley has announced his roster that will face Slovakia this Saturday, November 14.  The roster Bradley has assembled has plenty of different faces than what he has been using the past few months.  There are big names not on the roster due to club team commitments including the players still competing in the MLS playoffs.

Here is the team-

Goalkeepers- Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Troy Perkins (Valerenga, Norway)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England)

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Conor Casey (Colorado), Jeff Cunningham (Dallas, England), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)

Here is the lineup we would field here at Livethepitch.com.  This is a quality squad with the only exception being on the left flanks.  Bradley still has not found a proven left back and left midfielder.  This has to be fixed before next summer!