Bodwin

For those of you who don't 'habla espanol,' "I want the Golden Goal!" If you are familiar with the NHL playoff rules, you are aware that in Overtime (now referred to as OT), the rule is 'sudden death.' In other words, next goal wins. Well in soccer (football, futbol, voetbol, calcio, etc., et al), FIFA (Int'l soccer's governing body) had been using Golden Goal for the Extra Time in knockout matches (a match where one team must be the victor or ganador). In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, FIFA switched to a different OT alignment where the game is played for 30 extra minutes regardless of any scoring in the OT period. The first goal does not win it, in other words. If the game remains deadlocked at the end of the two 15-minute halves, penalty kicks ensue (by now, the phrase 'penalty kick' in Switzerland and Argentina may be synonymous with 'Barry Bonds' across America.) I see many flaws with this OT set-up: It takes away (in great measure) ...

Several years ago, I did not understand why Argentinians would kill one of their own players. I think I understand now. I wish Claudio Reyna lived in Argentina... It's sad to say, but not having him on the field for any of our three group games gives us a better chance to win. I think even Ben Olsen outplayed him.

This is the most interesting game of the tournament as far as what is at stake. The USA need a win by at least 3 goals if the Czech and Italians were to tie. If Italy were to beat the Czech, all the USA would need is a win. Here is my "best-bet" line-up: GK - Keller D - Bocanegra, Gooch (yc), Cherundolo MF - Beasley, Reyna (yc), Dempsey, O'Brien, Donovan F - McBride, E. Johnson Notes: - 3 in the back will force play outside; Dempsey (RWM) and Beasley (LWM) are fast enough to play both ways - Midfield control will be the most crucial factor to a multi-goal win. We will not counter-attack well with the speed of the Ghana side. Also, if we don't control the midfield, Michael Essien will. - I think McBride and Johnson are the best bet up front. McBride receives the ball well. Johnson's size, quickness, and skill will serve us well. - A big question is who will play Def. MF. With no Mastroeni, we resort to either Dempsey or O'Brien in a 3-5-2 formation. SUBS: - Con...

This story didn't surprise me, yet it still disgusts me. A Ghana player (i don't know the adjectival form, and I'm not gonna make any jokes...) waved an Israeli flag after defeating Czech Republic on Saturday. This player plays for an Israeli club, and was merely saluting his fans who had travelled to see him. Read the full article here .

I think soccer fans will be talking about this game for years to come. An 9-man USA team outplayed a 10-man Italy team to hold on to a 1-1 draw. (I was right by the way in my last article with the score prediction.) There was much red seen in this match - from McBride's face to Mastroeni's studs-up tackle. I felt the first red card, given to an Italian, was definitely warranted. There is no question. As a referree, I felt the second red card was also appropriate. I'm sorry if you had to listen to Marcelo Balboa rant on-and-on about how the referree was ruining the match. I cannot believe that a soccer player with the experience of Balboa would have been such an idiot. As I said, I am a referree. We are told to throw a red when a foul is harsh; and/or dangerous; and/or with studs exposed. Mastroeni made a few mistakes. The first mistake: Never foul that roughly when a red card has just been issued. Secondly, if studs are out, do not straighten your leg when going through the...

After seeing a miserable result vs. the Czech republic, here is my proposed line-up for the Italy game: GK - Keller D - (left to right) Bocanegra*, Pope, Gooch, Cherundolo MF - (left to right) Beasley, Reyna, Mastroeni (D-mid), Donovan, O'Brien* F - Eddie Johnson*, McBride *= not in line-up vs. Czech Rep. - These are my predicted substitutes: > (45') Ching for McBride > (60') Convey for Beasley > (68') Dempsey for O'Brien Fears for Italy game: - The USA play a great first half full of chances that barely go wanting, only to see the Azzuri (Italians) go up on a Midfield giveaway as stoppage time approaches. - The USA get an early goal, but give one up in the waning minutes to manage a meager point from the match. - (Worst of all) Reyna, Donovan, and Beasley again prove ineffective, leaving the USA with question marks as to their own ability and cohesiveness. I hope Arena will put the players in the positions where they shine most. Sometimes a coach ca...

Not getting a result against the Czech Republic really hurt our chances of advancing through the group stage (only the top 2 of four advance). The minimum number of points that the USA need is 4. To achieve four points we must tie and win in our next two games. A Loss all but eliminates us from contention (if Ghana beat the USA, and USA beat Italy, and the Czech beat Italy and Ghana, there would be a three-way tie for 2nd place, which would be broken by goal differential - not in our favor at the moment.) Best-Case Scenario: (realistically) - The USA win both matches, giving us 6 points and 2nd place in the group. - The Czech win their remaining two games, giving them 9 points and 1st place. - (If the Czech lose to Ghana, the US and Czech would be tied for 1st place, given the US would beat Italy and Ghana.) - (If Italy were to beat the Czech, Italy would have 6 points as well) "2nd-Best" Scenario: - The USA tie Italy and beat Ghana, giving us 4 points. (A 3-0 or 4-0 win a...