And for the Recap

Alright, the US pulled it together.  Major props.  Donovan brought them back with their first goal, then Bradley sunk in the equalizer.  Both fantastically placed goals.  The defense seemed to pick it up and Howard kept being awesome.

Now I have a problem with the ref.  He called fouls left and right, first mainly against the US (18 in all) then finally realized that Slovenia was pulling a few fouls (16 to be exact) themselves.  Then...THEN.  Then Edu came through on a free kick and sunk it in the goal...and he blows the whistle.  No problem...  Wait.  Against the US?  For what?!  The goal is disallowed, and they of course replay it over and over again because the commentators can't figure out what the heck happened.  Let's see...  You've got TWO US guys being full-on HUGGED by Slovenia defenders, Edu and everyone else ONSIDE, and NO FOULS FROM THE US SIDE.

SERIOUSLY?!       
As you might imagine, I was furious.  Where did that call come from?  There was no justification for it whatsoever, and you, Mr. Dumba** Ref, just cost US a goal, a win, and possibly a ticket to the next round.  

Congratulations.  

You're an idiot.

Now, as you can tell, I get fired up about stuff like this.  Namely, sports.  Namely soccer.  My fiance mocks me for it and doesn't understand when I start yelling at the screen that yes, I do realize they cannot hear me, and no, it doesn't matter that they can't.  I am passionate about my sport, and I am not ashamed of it.  Just wait till he sees me next year with the Women's World Cup...  We'll be married before then, so he'll just have to deal with it.  ;)

Regardless of whether the US continues or not, I'll keep watching.  I just love to see beautiful soccer played, no matter who's on the field.  I doubt Italy will repeat, but it's a distinct possibility.  Spain also has a good shot, as well as Brazil, as always.  I'd love for a smaller team to come through and win, and there's always a good chance of that.  After the US goes, I'm not sure who I'll go for.  I could go for Spain, I think.  They looked great in their opening game.  England might have a decent shot, but I can't take them seriously for some reason.  Maybe they'll surprise me.  They're definitely not hurting without Beckham.

We'll just see what happens.  And you'll probably read about it here, since I'm sure I can't refrain from it.