If you went to Wikipedia immediately after today's match between the U.S. and Slovenia and searched "Mali" here is what you found:
Mali, officially the Republic of Mali (French: République du Mali), is a landlocked country in Western Africa that is known for horrible football referees.
The setting was Ellis Park, Johannesburg for each team's second match in Group C. The Yanks tied their first match with England 1-1, while Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0. Both teams' goals were a result of goaltending mistakes that one is unlikely to see at the local high school game--one of the few things the World Cup's largest and smallest nations had in common coming into today's fixture.
With three points already in the books from their win over Algeria, it was widely expected that Slovenia would play conservatively and be very happy with a draw. Having given up only six goals in their twelve qualifying matches the U.S. would have to seize on any scoring opportunities they created.
In what has become a disturbing trend the U.S. gave up an early goal to go down 1-0. Valter Birsa found himself unmarked 25 yards from goal in the center of the pitch and ripped a curling left-footed shot past keeper Tim Howard, who never moved. Thirteen minutes in and it was 1-0 Slovenia. The goal was well-deserved as Slovenia was the more dangerous side and had the better of the play. That changed around the half-hour as the U.S. settled down and started string passes together, creating multiple dangerous chances. But, foreshadowing what was to come, the U.S.'s Robbie Findley was given a yellow card in the 40th minute. Landon Donovan took a corner and drove a dangerous ball into the box. It actually struck Findley in the face and landed dangerously in front of goal. Malian referee Koman Coulibably blew his whistle calling a hand-ball on Findley and also showing him a yellow card. It was a terrible decision and being his second yellow card of the tournament, Findley will be suspended for the next match against Algeria.
Minutes later and against the run of play Slovenia made it 2-0. Throughout the half the American defenders had failed to track runners and this time they were made to pay. Zlatan Ljubijankic timed his run perfectly. He took a beautifully weighted thru ball from Milivoje Novakovic and slid it under the on-rushing Howard. 2-0 going to half. It was a poor showing by the U.S. after a solid second forty-five minutes against England. The team has recorded only one shutout in the twenty-one World Cup matches since defeating the Brits 1-0 in 1950 and the defensive shortcomings in this team have been exposed repeatedly. The side certainly appeared to be on its way to being effectively eliminated from the World Cup.
The start of the second half saw two lineup changes as Maurice Edu came on for Jose Torres and Benny Feilhaber replaced Findley. Immediately the Yanks played better, attacking with the desperation a 2-0 deficit produces. Three minutes after intermission Landon Donovan got one back. A long ball by right back Steve Cherundolo skipped past a defender and Donovan dribbled in from a bad angle on the right side. Having no one available in front, he ripped a shot over the Serbian goalie's head into the roof of the net from a few yards out. It was a great strike by Donovan and it reinvigorated the team and the many Americans in the crowd.
The U.S kept the pressure on and Slovenian defenders collected three yellow cards in the space of six minutes. Eight minutes from time Michael Bradley got the equalizer. Donovan again was at the center of the build-up. He played a long cross from just inside the midfield line on the right side to Jozy Altidore at the top of the 18 yard box. Altidore headed the ball down and Michael Bradley, the coach's son, drilled a right-footed shot over the goalie. It was a fantastic goal and would have provided a fair result if the game were to end 2-2. (All highlights are here.)
But a few minutes from the end the U.S. got a great opportunity and appeared to take a 3-2 lead. Maurice Edu converted a long free kick from Donovan and the U.S. had apparently completed a stunning comeback. It was not to be. Inexplicably Coulibably blew his whistle calling a foul on the Yanks and disallowing the goal. Countless replays have shown not only that Edu was onside, but also that the Slovenians, not the U.S., committed three or four fouls on the play, any one of which could have resulted in a penalty shot for the Americans. It was a stunningly bad call. No explanation has yet been given as to who committed the foul. British Premier League coach Roberto Martinez called it "a real football injustice." Former national team player Alexi Lalas called the referee's performance a disgrace. The final few minutes were played without incident and it ended level at two.
I have pointed out that the refereeing thus far in the World Cup has been outstanding. It really has been. Today it wasn't. The Malian, working his first-ever World Cup match, was inconsistent and his calls seemed to disadvantage the U.S. at the most important moments. There is no excuse for the Americans' poor first half play, but they were robbed of a victory they had earned with a superlative second half effort.
Now everything comes down to the U.S.-Algeria match at 10:00 AM EST on June 23. Losses the past two days by Spain and Germany have shown anything can happen. The Americans control their own destiny as a result of England's just completed 0-0 tie with Algeria. A win and the U.S. is on to the round a sixteen. A draw and an England loss to Slovenia would also put the U.S. through. Stay tuned.
