Tom,If you feel hard done to over that disallowed goal imagine how the Poland fans felt back in 1982 when in the final group game West Germany and Austria conspired to play out a 1-0 win for WG that meant both teams progressed to the last 16 at the expense of Poland. Ever since then all final group games have kicked-off simulataneously. There are numerous unfair incidents in football matches around the world. When it benefits your team you quietly ignore it. Let's just say that your soft goal against England and the disallowed one against Slovenia balance each other out. :( Hatches battened down awaiting incoming missiles. :(

There are numerous unfair incidents in football matches around the world. When it benefits your team you quietly ignore it. Let's just say that your soft goal against England and the disallowed one against Slovenia balance each other out. :(

The difference there is that there was nothing wrong with the soft goal. Green flubbed it, plain and simple. It wasn't like Dempsey elbowed the defenders or committed some other foul. Hardly what I would consider unfair.As for the other match, at least three Slovenians were clearly and undeniably holding on to US players and preventing them from advancing; the goal there was perfectly legal but disallowed for no good reason. That's the difference and that's why we're so outraged over that decision.

Pelican,You're absolutely right. It was a poor decision that you were denied a goal on Saturday. But if you follow football as I do then over the course of a league season (38 games) your club team will suffer injustices and they will also benefit from referees decisions that are wrong. An offside goal not being disallowed for example.The difference in the World Cup is that only 3 group games are played so injustices tend to be more critical. In your game against Algeria you might well gain from a deflected goal. That's football!Anyway, all is not lost. Your destiny is in your own hands. Win against Algeria and you will progress to the last 16. Hopefully so will we.

It has to be said: It's a DRAW, not a tie. It's 'football' because they use the 'foot' to control the 'ball' (must look up where 'soccer' came from) :( /Sinks back into the shadows. :(

After a bit of Googling:

"Why the word "soccer"? We have to thank the students of the 1880s for the word "soccer". Itseems it was the practice amonst the well bred students of Oxford toabbreviate words whilst adding "er" to the end; "brekkers" forbreakfast for example.On asked if he wanted to play "rugger" (i.e. the "rugby rules") astudent replied "no, soccer", an abbreviation of "association", or the"association rules", i.e. the rules of the Football Association inLondon."Footer" was also used, but could have referred to either code. David Pickering's "Soccer Companion" (Cassell, 1994) names the studentas Charles Wreford Brown, later an England international and F.A.vice-president."Hope this was helpful!

Seems it was our fault. :(

After a bit of Googling:Seems it was our fault. :(

Good research. You wouldn't get students at Cambridge referring to it by that name! :( So do you think that if we start calling Baseball "rounders" it might catch on across the pond? :( Do most American's know how irritating we Brits find football being referred to as "soccer" even though the name originated over here? I also get irritated by quality newspapers over here such as "The Daily Telegraph" referring to it on occasions by that name.

So do you think that if we start calling Baseball "rounders" it might catch on across the pond? :(

Leave them with something they can hang on to. Even I was gutted by their disallowed touchdown...er...goal. :( No, really.

Good research. You wouldn't get students at Cambridge referring to it by that name! :( So do you think that if we start calling Baseball "rounders" it might catch on across the pond? :( Do most American's know how irritating we Brits find football being referred to as "soccer" even though the name originated over here? I also get irritated by quality newspapers over here such as "The Daily Telegraph" referring to it on occasions by that name.

I suppose to be precise we should only refer to Association Football, to distinguish from all the other types of football, right?scott s..

Yes, we should start calling it Association Football once more, and we should replace the vuvuzela with the traditional football rattle. All goals should be politely applauded, however, if it is a particularly impressive goal, the applause may be accompanied by the phrase: 'I say, well played, that man. Jolly good show.' (preferably in a ridiculously, clipped posh English accent) but care should be taken to moderate the volume of one's voice, so as not to appear uncouth.Al

Do most American's know how irritating we Brits find football being referred to as "soccer" even though the name originated over here?

You must get the screaming irrits when you see the Socceroos playing then. :( But don't worry, we won't be playing for much longer this year... Roll on the Ashes, maybe we can salvage a bit of pride this year. Aussie Aussie Aussie!Cheers, SLuggy

Allan, Excellent reply which reminded me of the Monty Python football match

. There are lots of MP fans around the world so this should go down a treat! Well done USA for topping Group C. See, all that anguish against Slovenia didn't matter after all! You've avoided possible matches against Germany, Argentina, Spain and Brazil. That fate now awaits England but we'll only know our next opponents after this evening's games. All I can say is "Come on Ghana!!!" Not something I say that often! :( As for the "Socceroos" Sluggy they have a hard match tonight but better things await against England in a gentleman's game. But without Shane you're just not the same formidable force. What chance of zuzuvelas at Lords? :(

There is no doubt that the FIFA officials are a bunch of incompetent donkeys. I wonder what would've been the result of the Eng v Ger match if our second goal had been allowed.

There is no doubt that the FIFA officials are a bunch of incompetent donkeys. I wonder what would've been the result of the Eng v Ger match if our second goal had been allowed.

Well it's a moot point now, Ghana just eliminated the USA! It was a good run though! Maybe next year will be our time!!

Well it's a moot point now, Ghana just eliminated the USA! It was a good run though! Maybe next year will be our time!!

The next World Cup is in four years time. I wouldn't be surprised to see the USA make big progress. England will be the same old disappointment as ever.

The next World Cup is in four years time. I wouldn't be surprised to see the USA make big progress. England will be the same old disappointment as ever.

Hee hee, that shows how much I know about Soccer!!! :(