I don't normally rant regarding sports, especially soccer, but what just transpired with the call against the US and the loss of a score is outrageous! Three obvious fouls occurring simultaneously by the Slovenians against the US, and the US is denied the goal is too much. That ref is either incompetent or corrupt. The US was denied a clear victory over Slovenia and had to accept a tie. If this is not rectified, FIFA should be embarrassed and once again will show how incompetent a group it is.

Tom, I have to agree with you on this issue. OTOH, at least it was a tie, so the U.S. wasn't summarily sent home...

Unfortunately, that kind of play is all to often considered acceptable in footy, and quite a few of the decisions thus far have been a bit shaky, especially the one against Steven Gerrard the other day, which was also outrageously unfair.Al

Tom, I have to agree with you on this issue. OTOH, at least it was a tie, so the U.S. wasn't summarily sent home...

Yeah, but Bill... It sets up the possibility that they will. They needed 3 points to advance. They were denied that 3rd point by this idiot of a ref. And yes, there have been way too many dodgy calls made so far. I hope FIFA cleans up their act before the entire Cup series is tainted and the outcome dismissed.

Again, that is all too true......and folks wonder why most of the citizens here in the U.S. just can't seem to get enthusiastic about the game... :( AFAIK, it's way more entertaining than American style "football," which just seems to drag on, and on, and yawn... on... <snore!>...which is why basketball is so much more interesting and entertaining to me as well. It's fast-paced, and sudden reverses keep one's attention more readily... :(

It really was a very very bad call and hopefully that referee will not participate in any more games. In that situation there where at least three or four battles that each could easily have given the US a penalty kick and looking at replay after replay I really found nothing that warranted a free kick to the Slovenians. The Swedish commentators were quite furious about it, especially since the US had made such a strong comeback in the second half.Basket and American football really doesn't interest me, but the Stanley cup playoffs kept my sleeping time to 3-4 hours a night the whole spring! :DOT but Tom, does the forum member count start at 100,000 or did you actually sign up to your forum just two days before me? :D

OT but Tom, does the forum member count start at 100,000 or did you actually sign up to your forum just two days before me? :D

The old forums were shut down and this forum brought online on March 2nd. All members had to re-register for this forum system. You re-registered 212 users behind me, and on the 6th. And yes, though I have no idea why, the user count started at 100,000.

...and folks wonder why most of the citizens here in the U.S. just can't seem to get enthusiastic about the game... :(

I have never watched a complete soccer game in my life, not because of the refs though, it just gets boring to me after about 5 minutes. It's ironic that I played soccer for many years in the AYSO, as well as playing ice hockey and baseball, and I can't take watching any of those sports on t.v. I'm pretty much just a college football, NFL, and NBA fan. Although I do enjoy watching skiing events in the winter olympics, I dont even watch the summer games.

For what it is worth Tom, your rant is not only understandable, but in my opinion at least, quite justified. That whole (match) incident was just to blatant to be blamed on incompetence! I say either corruption or personal motives directed towards the U.S. team. As a fun little side note; The last time I seen that much bias from a sports official was during one of my high school baseball games. The home plate umpire was one of the opponent school employees, of course at their home field. If their pitcher managed to through the ball anywhere within ten feet of the plate this guy called it a strike! Their pitcher hit one of our batters and the guy even called that a strike! I was pitching for our team and it didn't matter if the ball was a perfect strike, the guy called every single pitch a ball. (I had to ease up and literally let them hit the ball just to get out of a couple of innings.) Finally I had had enough, called the catcher out to me and told him," don't try to catch the ball, just duck and miss the catch." He looked a me and smiled real big. I nailed that umpire with about ten 85mph fast balls in a row! You know I don't even remember who won but I bet that umpire remembers me.That soccer official should have been removed from the game and replaced before things went as far as they did. That official knows what he did and he also knows that under other circumstances in other places he would be looking for his skin because somebody would have it on a stick roasting in over a fire. Hey, . . . I propose that we invite him to America , . . . for a weenie roast. :( My urge to rant has subsided, I think.Best regards to all,Mel

...and people wonder why there are riots at soccer games!

I totally agree, a dreadful decision. I really admired the USA's spirit and fight back in that match. If only our bunch of over-paid, talentless donkeys from England had half their spirit :(

I don't normally rant regarding sports, especially soccer, but what just transpired with the call against the US and the loss of a score is outrageous! Three obvious fouls occurring simultaneously by the Slovenians against the US, and the US is denied the goal is too much. That ref is either incompetent or corrupt. The US was denied a clear victory over Slovenia and had to accept a tie. If this is not rectified, FIFA should be embarrassed and once again will show how incompetent a group it is.

Atleast they are lookong at the call. Nothing will come of it though.http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/sto...-wc&cc=5901

The magic of football (I'm sorry, I just can't call it soccer - its not right to me :( ).It was a good game to watch. Exciting stuff with both teams playing well. Slovenia started off stronger and got 2 impressive goals. But then in the second half the USA picked themselves up right away and got back in the game and then even at 2-2. I have no idea why the 3rd goal was disallowed, I couldn't see anything to justify that. Another questionable decision to add to the list........It not easy to get back after 2-0 down, especially against a team playing well - very impressive from the USA!

................ I really admired the USA's spirit and fight back in that match. If only our bunch of over-paid, talentless donkeys from England had half their spirit :(

Don't know what happened to England yesterday against Algeria. But I can't criticise too much - Bulgaria didn't even make it to the World Cup............ for the second time!!!! - **##!!?!!??!! :(

Atleast they are lookong at the call. Nothing will come of it though.http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/sto...-wc&cc=5901

Exactly right, nothing will come of it, what could they possibly do. If they award U.S. the goal, Slovenia cries foul. If they replay the match whoever looses cries foul. The FIFA will / can do nothing except get out the broom and lift the rug and try to avoid any further attention. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that that 'official' (please note the civility in referring to him as a official.) isn't already headed for parts unknown.Best regards to all, . . except a certain FIFA official,Mel

remember South Afrika and Uruguay? Remember when the goalie BARELY tapped his foot and he got a red card? i was COMPLETELY outraged. I have never seen more rigged games this FIFA than any other.