Should the US be thrown out of the World Cup for their brutality and for not playing football?

Question

The US team played like a bunch of Hooligans last night against Italy. They had two men set off and were lucky it was not another three. Can they actually play football or did they think they were coming to a wrestling tournament.

Answer 1

They didn't really seem brutal. Just a bit crap.
Their cards were earned more from stupidity than violent intent.

The coach seemed to genuinely believe his red cards were unfair, and that the offside 'goal' should have counted.

Given that he's so obviously wrong on all counts, the only rational conclusion is that he's a dumbass.


They're very unlikely to get through the group stage now. It's an appropriate end for a team that's just not very good.


Don't hate them though, they're just people, the best players from a pool of limited footballing talent, trying their best.

It's like Crouch trying to d*** on Jamaica with his 'straight down the middle, not sure about the height' penalty. You have a poor team to play your friendly against, they come out and do their best. If you can't respect them for that, you're pretty low yourself.


The difference between the US and other mediocre sides like Serbia and Montenegro is (ironically) the country's political reputation. It's hardly fair to impose that on the players though.



Edit:

"they can't be thrown out but at home here in Ireland our panel of analyst's were quoting what the American team were saying during the week over in Germany.
quote " we are going to win this for our boys in Iraq" and another one was "were going out to war wit the Italians" all 3 member's of our panel agreed that this is the kind of language that comes out of the white house on a daily basis and so what Else should we expect from them."

Heh, that does change my last point a little bit...

Answer 2

To be "sent home" his something that does not make any sense! They play very "hard" and they were punished for their "brutality", yet, it was just a soccer game.

I am answering mcarr_01 and similar comments:
- Mastroeni's fouls was indeed a direct red card foul: if you understand soccer you will not complain about that.
- Review thePope's fouls and you will noticed that you are COMPLETELY incorrect.
- De Rossi was sent off and he will get 3-4 games off: what else you want???
- ONLY Pope and Mastroeni were "carded" in the USA Team... is that something "normal" based on the amount of fouls USA team committed?
In addition, please read carefully the following:

Soccer is a game where not necessarily the best Team wins. In addition, the World Cup is a very unique tournament in which tension and "points strategy" are very important factor.
Yes, Italy may have not played the best game, but if you look at the stats (go the FIFA official site) you'll noticed few important facts: shots on goal, fouls, corner kicks...

Plus the big argument about the referee: a lot of USA's fans, blinded by their ignorance on understanding soccer, are complaining about the ref e his calls.
In reality, who really has to complain is Italy. Here are some facts that can be confirmed if you have recorded the game:
- In the 5th min. Totti was given a yellow card while he did not even touched the opponent
- In the 27th min., when USA scored, the ref called a foul of Cannavaro on Reyna which it was a perfect tackle on the ball. From that foul USA scored (own goal Zaccardo)
- De Rossi red card was legitimate: he elbowed McBride and he deserved to be ejected.
- All the first half, both Gilardino and Luca Toni received "special attention" from Mastroeni, Pope and Onyewu.
- Mastroeni red card was legitimate: that foul is automatic red card.
- In the whole game, at least 4 offsides called against Italy were NOT offside (few to remember called to Luca Toni and Iaquinta). FYI, usually calling a player offside, that player has good chances on scoring goals.
- The goal scored by Beasly on the 66th min., had McBride in front of Buffon, and he even made a move with his right leg to disturb the goalkeeper action. In soccer, that is NOT a goal, but a foul for Italy. So, that was one of the few good calls.
- On the other hand, in the min. 36, when Gattuso newly entered scored, Luca Toni was stopped for an inexistent offside: that goal should have been allowed.
- Someone complaining about Pope's red card??? Helloooo... he committed so many fouls the firs half, what would you have expected? The foul he committed on Gilardino (min. 47) was a yellow card foul, but because he was already "booked", automatically the red card was legitimate.

Are the above points enough?
So, for people complaining I say to be happy about the tie, and at the end, who is going further is a better team but do not complain about things that do not make any sense.
To all the others, just read who are the finalists of the World Cup in the last 40 years (you can start from 1970...) then you will open your eyes on who will be in the final this year too.

Answer 3

That is the most ridiculous assertion I've seen in a long time, Paul. The straight red on Mastroeni was harsh. The tackle deserved a yellow, not red. Eddie Pope's first card came on a play when the Italian had a complete grasp on his shirt and threw them both the ground, and the second card came on a legal tackle on which Pope got the ball first. And how can you talk about "Hooligans" without mentioning that criminal, De Rossi? That was an assault! And another 3 sent off for the US? Where, who, when? Paul, I invite further discussion with you. You could use some enlightenment to come out of your shell. Perhaps you're still trying to get over the displays by the English side.....

Answer 4

Its funny how the Italians are the ones known for diving and cheating to win. If this was the first game of the World cup you have seen, then I can see why you would say this but the US have not been any more agressive or dirty than any other team. It is a physical sport, I guess someone forgot to inform the Italians about this. What I do not understand though is that when you have a chance to score if you stay on your feet why dive? I personally think the refs are to blame for years for letting the shirt pulling, diving, "professional fouls" and faking injuries to continue and get worse over the years.

Answer 5

You obviously know nothing about football. You're just a hateful twit. I got many compliments on the game from English and Irish. Some said it was the best game of the tournament so far. You probably once had a bad crush on a good looking American girl. you asked her out and she turned you down because you're an ugly geek.

Answer 6

haha... this question has truly brought out the world's hatred of america. many of the posted answers aren't even about football, people said yes just because they don't like america, especially wax. his prejudice is obvious to the blind. if they are not a good team then how did they manage to be ranked 5th in the world? you, sir, are the dumbass.

no they should not be sent home, and to suggest it is ridiculous. in my international experiences i've found that many europeans go along with what they are told and never question anything. this would explain why they actually think the americans were brutal. they cannot think for themselves and just agree with the referee.

Answer 7

I am afraid the majority are playing like this, watch next time a player falls to the ground, with out been touched, then looks at the ref to see if he gets a free kick or penalty, I am fed up of seeing these over paid players, trying to cheat the game ..and then rolls about in agony...the game has become a farce....and it's a shame, as they are good footballers, but the price of winning is overtaking the sportsmanship..........

Answer 8

Disagree. The elbow by de Rossi could best be described as an act of assymetric warfare(!), but the US were fairly rough. Not brutal, though.

The team I support have many times used similar tactics to wins matches against better sides - go in hard but fair and the foreign contingent will usually lose their bottle

Answer 9

YES!!!!!! And the ABC sports announcers of the game aswell!!!
The US team were brutal, throwing themselves around a soccer field without finesse, without playing the sport of European Football. Totally lacking in any understanding of the art, the purpose, the creativity and beauty of the game of football. I hope that they are never again invited to participate in the FIFA World Cup.

Answer 10

The US team was not brutal but rather it was the Uruguayan referee who for one reason or another decided visualise brutality in the entertaining American team. If I were allowed to change football rules today, i would award all three points to Team USA and sent the referee packing.