Why That Goal Didn't Count

Americans reeling from the baffling call discounting the goal that would have given the U.S. a victory over Slovenia in the World Cup Friday are wondering why this sport is so arbitrary. No appealing the ref, no backup refs, no instant replay. The answer is that FIFA president Sepp Blatter thinks a little subjectivity is good for soccer. Perhaps he’s right: Suddenly Americans are far more passionate about the sport in the wake of the clearly blown call. Why did the U.S. team put itself in the position to need that third goal so desperately? Goalie Tim Howard says they get “complacent” when they’re not behind; the need to get more emotional, Howard told Jeré Longman of The New York Times. With two ties thus far, the U.S. needs to beat Algeria, or tie if England loses to Slovenia or if England ties and the U.S. still has more goals. But if both England and the U.S. tie and have the same number of goals, which team advances will be decided by a drawing of lots. Let’s hope the World Cup’s arbitrariness doesn’t extend that far.