By Dennis Miller
At stake is a spot in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals as the United States faces Belgium in the Round of 16 tonight at 5 p.m.
As if the match needed any more publicity, the last 24 hours brought even more intensity when FIFA overturned the red card given to Folarin Balogun of the United States when they beat Bosnia in the Round of 32.
The red card meant that Balogun, the leading scorer for the United States, would be suspended for tonight’s match. On Sunday it was announced that FIFA reviewed the foul and the disciplinary action and correctly overturn the card, a feeling almost universally agreed was a bad call.
Of course, Belgium and the European football nations have been crying ever since the decision was announced. In one respect I get it as the game would honestly be much easier for Belgium without Balogun playing but what bothered me about the blowback was saying it undermines the legitimacy and integrity of soccer.
That must be the biggest crock. They are pissed because it would make the United States weaker for the match – nothing more, nothing less.
Using the “integrity of soccer,” is the worst argument. The initial call was bad and unwarranted so wouldn’t correcting a wrong uphold the integrity of soccer?
Enough of the posturing – here are the thoughts of the BUSC coaches/staff and their thoughts on tonight’s match!
Luis Orellana: USA wins 2-1 in extra time!
Daniel Montes: 1-1 in regulation, with the USA winning 7-6 in penalty kicks.
Tewfik Boutaleb: 2-1, USA!
Kevin Crow: USA wins 2-1 in regulation time!
Brady Taylor: USA 3-2 win!
Tessie-Wagner Pease: USA wins 2-0 in regulation!
Dennis Miller: USA wins 3-1 and US fans shower the field with Kleenex boxes for Belgium to stop their whining after the game!
