Just a handful of weeks after Jim Joyce's imperfect gaffe ruined a piece of baseball history, the "human element" has struck the world of sports again. It's been over 48 hours since Koman Coulibaly inexplicably disallowed what would've capped an improbable rally by the Americans in their match against Slovenia.
With Slovenia reeling in the 84th minute, Maurice Edu toed in the soccer equivalent of a walk-off homer, only to have it waved off for an apparent offsides. After surveying the video replays, the call was changed to a foul (think Scottie Pippen on Hubert Davis). Looking more closley at the tape, it was Slovenia that was draping the Americans on that free kick - Michael Bradley was essentially bear-hugged by a defender. In a game where the slightest trip results in a yellow card, the Slovenian players were given free reign like Dale and Antonio Davis jockeying for a rebound.
Sure, the Americans should've never been a position to have to rally against Slovenia, the smallest of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup. However, in the world's biggest sporting event, calls like this are inexcusable. Say what you want about Team USA putting themselves in a bad position with a horrid performance in the first half, but that doesn't change the fact that soccer is a 90-minute game and the Americans won that match in the 84th minute.
There was considerable outcry afterwards, but some of the blow was softened by Algeria's stunning 0-0 draw against England. Team USA still controls their own destiny, but would've been virtually guaranteed a trip to the Round of 16 had Coulibaly done the right thing.
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