Robbery!

Today was the United States' second game in this World Cup and it was a scorching match! We started off by going two down in the first half and things started to look hopeless for us at the half. Slovenia aren't exactly the greatest team in the world, but I'm going to say they've got a lot of fight in them. After beating Algeria they were clearly motivated and in the first half they showed it by going up two. But this US team is adept at not giving up in this campaign. They fought hard to get back at England in the first game and Landon Donovon started off the comeback with an amazing goal. This turned the tide of the game strongly against Slovenia and Michael Bradley was able to put a great cross into the back to put the game at 2-2. With the game tied and the Americans showing amazing form they pushed forward and managed to get a free kick close to the Slovenian goal.
The next play will no doubt go down as the most controversial of the 2010 World Cup. The free kick was kicked into the goal by Maurice Edu to put the USA up 3-2. However the ref disallowed the goal for a penalty that he wouldn't tell anyone about. To this minute FIFA have still not provided evidence of any wrong doing by Americans. It was pure robbery, and I might even say evidence of a ref bribe. This event was so shocking it made the front page of numerous American newspapers which is huge for soccer. The game ended a 2-2 draw and kept the US alive.

The other game in Group C saw England take on Algeria in what I, and many others, thought would be a big win for the Three Lions. What followed was one of the poorest showings of any major team in the World Cup this year. The Algerians took provided an amazingly strong defense based around the magnificent Nadir Belhadj. He and the Algerian defense shut down every attack that England threw at them. It was astonishing to watch and likely heart breaking for English fans who were looking for redemption after the first game. The game ended 0-0 and meant that Slovenia lead the group followed by the USA, England and Algeria in last. The next round will prove to be the most important as a win for any team will guarantee a place in the next round. The United States will feel they can take Algeria down, and England will pray for a miracle against an in form Slovenia team.

The other match was the early match between Germany and Serbia. This tournament is all over the place in terms of results as the big boy teams are taking some major hits, including this game. Germany were favored after their big four goal win against the Aussies. Serbia were looking worse for wear after losing to Ghana in the first round. That is why the result of this match was so damn surprising. Serbia beat Germany 1-0. It was a hard fought victory that saw Germany lose top striker Miroslav Klose to a red card in the first half, and have a penalty blocked by the Serbian keeper. The Germans weren't bad by any means they just didn't have the finishing that they are so well known for in World Cup play. Serbia have Australia in the next round and will really feel like they can beat them and progress to the next round. Germany take on Ghana in what I believe will be an excellent match, but they'll be favored to win and move on.

So that's the World Cup for today. Tomorrow, more of the same! This tournament is, to the consternation of everybody around me, the focus of all my positive energy at the moment. It's so fun to watch and cheer for these teams and players. I don't want it to end!