>I know the call stands regardless of its merit, but sheesh!
>
>I've watched the replay (I DVRd the game) countless times. I'm not as familiar with soccer rules, but there is just nothing there to call - other than a clean goal.
>
>What I find so amazing is that the refs are not required to give details on the foul. I enjoy watching the World Cup, but find it really bad that players are held accountable, but not officials and their calls. Even if it means a Jim Joyce or Ed Hockulee-type admission that someone got screwed, FIFA already has a major black eye for not issuing an apology or even an explanation.
>
>IMO, the model for sports to follow is the NHL. During the playoffs (and maybe even during the regular season), they have a "war room" in Toronto to immediately review major plays. It's not perfect, but has kept some seriously bad calls from standing.
>
>Even in the NFL, when one official makes a very questionable call, the other officials sometimes pow-wow to discuss the call before moving forward.
>
>Up to now, I had a mild rooting interest for the U.S. But now, I hope they make a serious run.

I was listening to ESPN radio yesterday or the day before, there was a guy talking (I do not know his name, I never listened to ESPN radio before) and the guy started saying that he received a call from someone that saw what happened, and it was a foul by an American outside the view of the cameras (they mention the name of the American as well as the Slovenian, I forgot both), and was very early on the play, even before the other fouls committed against the US, and this is consistent with the early call by the referee, remember that the whistle had blown before US scored. Now, I saw just the same as you... anyways USA not only qualified for the round of 16, but did so winning their group, I think that was beyond the wilder dreams of anyone! Between Uruguay, France and now USA I lost all hope of winning 1 million dollars in a poll, darn it!