World Cup: Algeria vs USA – half | Black Entertainment USA

World Cup: Algeria vs USA – half

By Michael Vass | June 23, 2010

What the hell?! If you had to take odds on Team USA scoring another goal that would then be denied by officials, for no apparent reason, they would have been astronomical. You would be more likely to get struck by lightning, twice, you would think. But it happened, again.

That might sum up the first half of this match.

The USA has played a strong, if unrewarding first half. Though possession of the ball was roughly about 55% for the US, the passing and shots on goal were far better. Of the 4 shots on goal for the US, which included the aforementioned goal, 2 were shots that only fate could have made miss. On Algeria’s side of things, there have been 9 shots, with 2 on goal.

The one thing everyone will be talking about is the disallowed goal. In front of the Algerian goal, Donovan tried to put the ball in. it came back to him. He had an Algerian defender in front of him, and the goalie. From the side, Dempsey came up and received the ball, putting it in without opposition. But the goal was disallowed. Why? Because he was called offsides. Replay by ESPN showed he wasn’t. FIFA rules says a tie or doubt goes to the attacker. Perhaps there is a clause in the rules that excludes the USA?

The match is a high pressure one. Algeria must score or they are out. They know it. And they hoped to spark something, taking a shot nearly every time they have the ball. It doesn’t matter that virtually all the shots have been from 35 yards out, or more. They are just going for it. The presumption being that Team USA starts slow and often gives up a goal early.

Team USA did not give up a goal though. There was one early attempt by Algeria that was close. But that was it. The backfield has closed down hard in every attempt by Algeria after the first 7 minutes of the game.

Algeria has also paid attention to the other matches of Group C. They are playing deep in their side of the pitch, wary of Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley. Jozy Altidore has stepped up his aggressiveness, generally to the benefit of Team USA. So far, there is no comparison of the first half by USA to any other match in the World Cup so far. Team USA looks to be here for the entire 90 minutes, and for the win.

The critical factor will be the fact that England currently is beating Slovenia, 1 – 0. This means that the US needs to score and beat Algeria. If that happens the US moves on. If England Slovenia tie, the US wins the Group C second slot. But the need for a win, to score, must not be the cause of sloppy play by the US. They have already scored against Algeria. They just need to do it once more, without the offsides call. IF the Ref will allow that.

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