Little of both. Jozy has to find a way to keep that ball inside the post. It wasn't easy, but either was the 2nd goal by Ghana. The better-skilled team moved on. Other than the penalty kick, it was a poor offensive effort by the Americans. Coach is right, though. The defenders are too slow. There are 300 million people in the country, and there's no reason to have athletes that slow on D. Good luck to Ghana. They are only a 15% Muslim Country. Frees up a lot of time when ya don't half to spend half your time trying to please MO......The U.S. team still took down the 99% Muslim Entry in a style that is much appreciated.

They are all playing football, basketball or baseball!! LOL

Don't fall behind and the fake injuries won't occur. Ghana was stalling because the referee was allowing it. The US put themselves in that position.

All in all, a proper finish for the US. Getting out of their group was a realistic goal, they achieved that. A quaterfinal exit was probably the best they could expect. They fell one game short of that, but were not disgraced.

Both games should be very interesting tomorrow. I don't think England or Germany has what it takes to win this, but they are evenly matched. Argentina needs to keep their momentum they built up in the group stage against a scrappy Mexico.

Dont you think the WC would be a whole lot better if it was a single elimination tourney with the refs having the replay option to check offsides, mysterious penalties and faking?
Or am I just being the ugly American?

It's because we lose to Ghana etc. We aren't world class at it, so why would we care much about it? Americans aren't wired to care about stuff we aren't good at. Every 4 years, we care about not getting beat too early in the World Cup. Then, they choke and/or aren't good enough to keep winning. The sport can't really get a good hold. It's still mainly for tree hugger's kids, and Snow White professional residential areas. Still, you'd think they would get more of the other sport's leftovers.

Very ugly. The only reason for replay to be instituted would be to check for balls going across the goal line.

I thought that todays ref actually did a pretty good job. The thing i don't understand is with the field being as large as it is, why not use a 2 referee system? That coupled with the linesman should cut down and catch many of the fouls. Hell, a hockey rink is what 1/4 of the size of a soccer field? And they use 2 refs.

As far as the game went they just can't afford to always play from behind. It's unbelieveable how their defense always seems to have a lapse every game. But, the difference today seemed to be the goaltenders. Although Howard is one of the best in the world, he was outplayed today. The other guy made the key saves. They should be disappointed, they lost to an inferior team today that seemd to have about 4 shots on net the whole game and 2 of them found the back of it.

2 refs=too much bribe money needed

I would disagree with you about Ghana being an inferior team. Ghana is very good, people just don't know much about them because they are so young and most of their top talent save for Essien, Gyan, Muntari, Appiah, and Kingson are all from their 2009 U20 World Cup Winning team. Ghana didn't really need to push forward once Boateng put the early marker on the board especially with Rajovic's tactical tendencies. If Ghana had not put the early goal on the board, you likely would have seen a different plan of attack. I mean, Ghana was missing their leader and best player Michael Essien for the entire Cup, as well as bringing established Top Level veterans like Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah off the bench this year, for younger players. Ghana will be a thorn in many team's sides for the next couple of years and it wouldn't suprise me in the least if they are one of the 2014 World Cup favorites with the talent on that squad.

Personally, regarding the game, I thought they lost to a better team today. It was pretty simple, Ghana was better with the ball, better tactically, better in the back, disciplined, and physical with pace. The US Soccer team is good, but Ghana outplayed them today and absolutely deserved to move on. Now, if Edu is in from the start, yeah, decent chance they don't give up the first one, but then, chances are, they don't play the same style coming out of the halftime break if it's 0-0 compared to 1-0, especially against a good defensive side in Ghana with Kingson, who has been outstanding at the World Cup.

The US will always be competitive with most of the world, but you will always have your top teams like Brazil, Argentina, etc., that the US will struggle to beat on a consistent basis. It's not like this was any lock that the US would win today.

I think Howard being one of the best in the world is a figment of the US media's imagination. They are the only one's repeating this ad nauseum. He's nowhere near top five and would struggle make the top ten.

Howard is a very average keeper on a very average team.

Luckily for all of us, within in a week, we can all go back to not giving a **** about soccer. For some of us, it won't take that long, but I'm generalizing.

I understand that Ghana is far from chopped liver, but I really do think that the US is the better team. I just find it amazing how they constantly come out on their heels each and every game and end up having to play from behind. Even with Ghana playing back a bit with the lead, the US still had a boatload of opportunities that they just couldn't capitialize on. That's the difference between being a good team and being an elite team. You would think Argentina or Brazil would have finished on a few of those chances. I think Bigs said it and he was right. That even if they would have won today, the next game would have been probably the end of the road. It was a good showing, but they aren't in the class of some of the teams that they would being looking at in the coming rounds.


That's a fair point and I'm not saying it's wrong. Maybe I bought into the hype and it's just my perception that he's a top goaltender. But deep down I do believe that he's in the top 5, then again I'm not sure I could name another 4 to fill out the list.

Apparently you don't pay much attention to the EPL media then, or other World Soccer outlets...

Heck, even Hahnemann is very highly thought of on the world scene and he didn't sniff a minute in the World Cup.

I agree he is not top 5, but he has a legit shot at cracking the top 10, easily in the top 15.

He may not be Neville Southall, but I don't think he is that far behind...

I agree the proper outcome occurred but the ref allowed the faking. This is the point I have issue with. If the player is deemed to be faking, he should have to sit out for 5 minutes or they should just play around the "injured player". I'm watching the England/Germany game and I don't see the same theatrics. I don't have an issue with soccer usually but I thought yesterday was excessive.

To me, the US failure falls squarely on Bradley's shoulders.

His constant ability to not field the proper starting 11 and horrible usage of substitutes constantly has the US behind the eight-ball. As well with his lack of ability to get his players ready for the first 15-20 mins.

When I saw his starting lineup yesterday, I knew we might be in some trouble early. The fact that Edson Buddle didn't see time when he was the hottest player coming in is ridiculous.

Bradley's affinity for Clark and Findley is absurd. Clark, in my mind was the worst midfielder on the squad. Findley's speed is amazing, but using him to start makes no sense. He is best off the bench in the second half when defenders have slowed down. His ability to be so quick at that point is a huge strength to the US squad, having him start the game neutralizes his ability some.

DeMerit yesterday was a bad choice too. I would have taken Gooch at 75% over the way DeMerit walked around yesterday.

I just feel we were out managed quite a bit in this World Cup. Bradley does some things very well, unfortunately he does many things EXTREMELY poor.

I hope come Brazil, Bradley is an afterthought as far as coaching goes.

Ze Germans.

Game on now - 2-1 Germany against England!!! was that over the line!!

Ridiculous. Need replay.

it was miles over - absolutely awful refereeing!!

Once again the World Cup Ref's screw a game...

HORRIBLE!!!

It's an absolute mockery. In a sport where goals are at a premium, to miss one like that is a disgrace. The real disheartening part is that there is an easy solution. It's not like replay will disrupt the flow of the game, with guys flopping like they got shot every 14 seconds and laying on the ground forever. Really, how long could a video review take? Hell at least give us a goal judge with a vulva.

Agreed. At least have two people sit behind the net like in hockey.

I do pay attention.

The English media is more paritsan and delusional than the US media. I'm not saying the EPL isn't a good league, but if you read their media, you'd think it is the only league in the world playing at a top level.

First you tell me I don't pay attention, then you agree with my assessment of Howard. Possibly late top 10, for sure top 15.

:wf

You didn't see those theatrics in the US-Ghana first half either. Give it time, if Germany has a one goal lead late, let the flopping and fake injuries begin...

You made it sound like he was lucky to be in the top 20, thats what got me up. I don't think the US Media overplayed Howard's ability. In fact if you look at US players overall, the goalkeeper position is about the only place where we have had players that matter. Perhaps I overreacted, maybe...

Or do a review during the flow of play like hockey does, if they deem it a goal, stop play and head to the center spot to resume the game.

This may be the one to push FIFA into finally doing something.

England are being schooled here. Oezil is a fantastic player..

Kind of makes the non-goal call moot.

You can't be slow AND out of position. One of only two England players trying to get back on the third goal by Germany was Lampard. Where were the rest of them? That's right, out of position and too slow to do anything about it.

Nice confidence builder for Germany.

my non soccer fan opinion on Saturdays game

1) That guy Bradley (the player - not the coach) sucks and totally lost it for the US. They should have won 2-1 in regular time. Bradley missed two shots where all he had was the goaltender to beat, and both times he kicked it right at the goalie. He's a choker and shouldnt be on the US team if they want to win games.

2) Ghana goalie > America Goalie

3) USA defense played like a bunch of sissies. I started watching at about minute 20 and Ghana maybe had 3 shots on goal the entire time, yet anytime they were on the US side of the field, you thought they were going to score. It was kinda like watching the Eagles and knowing that they were one the verge of fucl<ing up.

4) Ghana is much faster than the USA. They also hustled more for loose balls.

5) Landon Donovan was by far the best player on the field and seems to be a very elite player. I doubt he'll be in MLS long. He's freaking incredible. If Bradley was half the man Donovan is, they would have won. & its very weird for me to see a man named Donovan come through in the clutch.

6) The US seemed to dominate when I was watching (again, missed the first 20 mins). Its too bad they only have one guy who can score.

7) Soccer is fucl<ing boring. It was pretty interesting the first 93 minutes, but the overtime was boring as hell. I wish it would have gone to PK's just to see a little action.

Michael Bradley was the problem? Please, he was probably one of the two or three best players in the pitch throughout the US's run through the tournament. That's just poppycock.

Howard stunk the other day. The biggest problem was finishing. The even bigger problem was the dirty whore who was wearing a Ghana shirt and activiely cheering against the USA at the bar where I watched the game. If she were a dude (which she might have been, that is debatable), I might have done more than heckle her.

I was just commenting on Saturdays game, as I really didnt watch or care much about the others (though I do want my country to do well)

Michael Bradley missed some easy chances that a guy with the gonads like Donovan would not have missed. I mean he had TWO shots where it was just him, the goalie, and the ball on his foot. I know the Ghana goalie is great and all, but its not that hard to stop when you shoot right at the damn goalie!

he could have been very good the other games for all I know.. but he seemed like a choker to me. Donovan, Edu, and Altidore (at times) seemed to be the only ones who were doing well.

And how did the US NOT defend that last goal by Ghana? That was pure laziness.

It was sad because it seemed like USA was more talented. And it seemed like they were dominating the ball.

I think you're thinking of someone other than Bradley, because Bradley never had the chances on Saturday that you're referring to in your posts. Feilhaber did though - maybe you mean him?

could be.. It was a bald white guy and I swear they said Bradley, but you could definately be right.

Bradley definitely did not have any point blank chances the other day. If anybody should have had a better finishing touch, it would be Findlay (who does suck) and Feilhaber (who is usually better), both of whom only had the keeper to beat on relatively easy chances and missed.

To see how a real team finishes, watch highlights of that Germany-England game yesterday. Germany was downright lethal with every chance they had.

No it was Bradley. I personally thought that he didn't have a strong game against Ghana either.

As far as the last goal Saturday, I wonder if it was a situation that if either of the defenders picked up a yellow card, they would miss the next game in the round of 8. If so, they went a bit lax thinking Howard would bail them out if a shot should make it on goal.
Reguardless a better play should have been made on the forward, even if a foul was taken you would think the result would have probably been better then the outcome that was from making a very lax play.

Bocanegra was so weak in that spot, it's not even funny. DeMerit didn't help either. As poorly as Onyewu played through the first two games, you can bet your ass that the Ghanan player wouldn't have gotten a shot off in that situation.

I'm going to have to disagree with you guys on Bradley. I didn't see a situation in that game where he lost it for us. Did he play like he did versus Slovenia? Probably not, but he was (and is) still one of our best assets on the field. There's a reason why he'll be playing in the premiership at some point next season.

I'm not saying he's responsible for them losing. I just felt like there were time in the game where he coughed it up in the midfield and looked lost. I even wondered if they were going to sub for him. I just thought it wasn't his strongest game. The point would have been moot if someone was able to finish just one of their many opportunites.

Or if Howard had remotely been in position for the first goal. I'll give him a pass on the second, but he needs to take some credit for that first one. Why Ricardo Clark was even out there in the first place is so beyond me it's not even funny. At least Bradley had the cojones to sub him out in the first freaking half.

Go back and read my reaction to Bradley's lineup. He is horrible at the strategy of the game. Having to waste a sub in the 30th minute is just bad coaching. That falls on him.

I didn't see anything that Michael Bradley did in the Ghana game to get blamed for a loss. Was he outstanding, no, was he the reason we lost, no. I thought he played well, not great, but well. DeMerit seemed lost at times, Bocanegra was bad as well. Gooch certainly wasn't healthy, but I agree Slots, that if he was out there, that last shot wouldn't have gotten off.

I won't repeat all of my post on Bradley's poor coaching decisions, but why he constantly starts Findley is mind boggling. Same for playing Clark, any other midfielder out there would have been better than him. I feel he was the worst of the bunch we brought over to South Africa. Maybe I am just bitter that Holden didn't get a crack...

AR - Findlay and Clark killed me on Saturday. Somebody - ANYBODY - would have been ok considering how those two played against Slovenia and England. Another thing though, and that is you'd have to think the 2009 version of Charlie Davies would have helped this team on Saturday. A lot.

if anyone wants to watch a great game - this will be it. Chile v Brazil, there should be plenty of goals.. come on Chile :)