2026 World Cup - USA team thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
The prediction websites have USA as 6-8% favorites vs Belgium. Is this reasonable considering that Team USA's best goal scorer got red carded?
Probably not, but Belgium has been looking to lose this whole tournament despite having many world class players. Maybe the extra time that they had to play today will hurt them, especially with some of their older stars.
That was a spectacular free kick goal. Perfect placement and strong.
Wwiw. 36 minutes down 1 man and then a goal in that time. One forbthe books. Gutsy performance! Now the staff has to determine lineup and strategy vs Belgium on Monday. You have to admire this team and what the head coach has done to prepare them.
The issue is the ref on the field didn’t even award a yellow card. VAR made the entire decision and at a key point in a knockout match.
VAR has become the decisive factor too often. And it’s just as subjective as the old system.
It's so scripted and overtly political.
Raphael Claus from Brazil is the referee assigned for this one, alongside his fellow Brazilians Danilo Manis and Rodrigo Figueiredo. Dario Herrera from Argentina will be the fourth official.
Raphael Claus from Brazil is the referee assigned for this one, alongside his fellow Brazilians Danilo Manis and Rodrigo Figueiredo. Dario Herrera from Argentina will be the fourth official.
I’m curious if there has ever been a game where there isn’t a referee conspiracy against your team.
The red card was a disgraceful jobbing of team USA. His back was turned to the Bosnian player, there was no intent to foul.
It’s my understanding that no appeal is allowed.The USA can appeal the red card. Probably will not be successful if they try.
For those that do watch the sport year round, we knew as soon as he said it was under review it was going to be a red. They don’t call you over for a yellow. We also knew they would pause it and play it in slo motion as to not give the referee any discretion.
So people can DISAGREE with the color of the card which most do, but the red coming out wasn’t a shock. It’s called inconsistently as many people have also pointed out.
The inconsistency in application is the issue. You’re right that once VAR was introduced, those involved felt the need to justify their existence and weigh in like this during critical moments.
Some matches are more memorable for VAR calls or blunders than for the play. That’s a problem for the sport.
I’ve seen worse actual tackles get a yellow or nothing. He was literally just placing his foot down as that tackle attempt had sailed already. VAR frames it to not give the officials any real discretion. How often do you see an official go over and not side with VAR? It’s less than 5% that they disagree with VAR.
Every expert had also said something along the lines of "by the rules it was right but"...it was the correct call
Also the refs know more than biased experts contrary to what many want to believe