FIFA World Cup 2010: Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley Salvage Draw With Slovenia

June 18th, 2010 by Jo-Ryan Salazar Leave a reply »

Bob Bradley, I can say this on behalf of millions of American soccer fans across the Atlantic...you are killing us right now. No, seriously, you are.

First your men give up an early lead to England, then rally for a 1-1 draw. And now they give up a two-goal lead to Slovenia before rallying for a 2-2 draw.

Let me get this straight. You drew with Slovenia? Of all teams?

Man, we have already seen the unexpected with Spain stunned by Switzerland and Serbia making Die Mannschaft eat humble pie with extra crow feathers, but this is ridiculous!

Have mercy, Miss Percy. The pundits put your guys as favorites to take this match. I sure hope this wasn't in their heads. And you know something, Bob? You must win against Algeria. MUST WIN.

The best the USA can do in Group C is finish second. That's it. And that will only happen if you trounce Les Fennecs.

Actually, I will correct myself in this piece. Now here is a scary proposition: Les Fennecs defeating England, and on the next match day in Group C, the States beat Algeria and England beats Slovenia.

That puts the USA at the top of Group C. Could you believe that? This is the best the USA can do, with help.

My props here go out to Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley. Donovan sparks a comeback with a scintillating run down the right sideline in the 48th minute of play, and the coach's son completes the comeback with a goal in the 82nd minute.

More props to Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. He is a keeper with great hands, great leaping ability, and loads of potential. Handanovic looked like he had been here before. That's how gifted this keeper is.

Numerous stops and boatloads of frustration for the USA attackers are Handanovic's calling card. Expect to see more of the same from him against England.

My thumbs-down (times two) goes to the official from Mali, Koman Coulibaly.

I'm not a homer here when I say that he cruelly took victory away from the States in the 84th minute. I think he wanted to get his face time any way he could. He cooked up a rotten egg of a match and should be admonished.

But let's give credit where it's due.

Slovenia played an exciting contest, and you have to admit: Slovenia may be a small country, but it delivered a big-time performance against the USA.

Now Algeria awaits the States. And at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, a draw and a loss are the same thing in terms of desirability: you want none of it.




This story was originally syndicated from Bleacher Report - Front Page.
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Posted in 2010 FIFA World Cup, Bob Bradley, Game Recap, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Opinion, Soccer, United States (National Football), World Football

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