The USA performed a spirited fight-back to draw 2-2 and deny Slovenia two wins out of two and qualification from Group C.
Referee disallows American 'winner'
The USA performed a spirited fight-back to draw 2-2 and deny Slovenia two wins out of two and qualification from Group C.
The European minnows stunned the much fancied Americans with two first-half goals from Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic as they dominated proceedings in the first half.
However Bob Bradley's side, who did not seem to know when they were beaten, earned themselves a point with goals from Landon Donovan and the coach's son Michael in the second half to keep them in with a shout of qualification.
Indeed, the US should have claimed victory, with Maurice Edu converting from a Donovan free-kick that was mystifyingly ruled out despite pushing from both teams, much to the fury of Bradley's team.
It was a pulsating encounter towards the end, with Jozy Altidore, Donovan and Birsa all putting in strong performances in one of the best games of the competition so far.
The encounter in Johannesburg had barely reached 10 seconds before Slovenian striker Ljubijankic was bloodied in a challenge with Clint Dempsey
The game failed to get started for several minutes following the challenge, with both teams tentative in their approach, but Slovenia had the better of the possession.
The first real chance came for the Slovenians in the form of Milivoje Novakovic, who just could not get his foot on to the end of Birsa's cross in the eighth minute.
Stunned
Slovenia made their positive start count however in the 13th minute with a moment of class from Birsa, who had an outstanding half, that left USA keeper Tim Howard rooted to the spot.
The Auxerre midfielder seized on the ball in the centre of midfield before taking a few steps to sidefoot majestically into Howard's left corner, leaving the Americans stunned after starting the game as apparent favourites.
The Europeans were having none of it however, and carried on pressing their advantage with Birsa putting in a long-range free-kick that beat the Americans all ends up, but Novakovic missed the chance to make it two and the ball was gathered by the grateful Howard.
The US were failing to put any pressure on the opposition, but finally tested goalkeeper Samir Handanovic in the 36th minute with a free-kick from Jose Francisco Torres that was floated in at the Udinese shot-stopper's near post.
Bradley stood stern-faced on the touchline as the Americans began to grow more into the game, but Robbie Findley wasted an opportunity on the break with a poor cutback that was cleared despite Donovan and Altidore lying in wait in the middle.
Donovan then almost found the net after great running from Altidore. He supplied Clint Dempsey to feed in a low cross but as the LA Galaxy star moved to apply the finish at the far post, he was denied by a fine interception from Miso Brecko, who put a stop to so many attacks all evening.
What immediately followed was a mixture of classic counter attacking and poor defending by the Americans - Ljubijankic being put through almost immediately by the lively Birsa after Donovan's miss to slot into the corner of the net with the US all at sea at the back.
It seemed as the half-time whistle was blown that America were shell-shocked, with their encouraging performance against England in the opener undone by a side who came into the tournament completely under the radar.
Findley and Torres were replaced at the break by Edu and Benny Feilhaber, but Slovenia still looked dangerous after the interval as their counter attacking ability almost caught the US out again, but for Jay DeMerit's clearance denying Novakovic a clear run on goal.
However the US were back in it within three minutes after the interval through Donovan, who escaped Bostjan Cesar to move in towards the six-yard box before lashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
It was Bradley's side in the ascendancy now, revitalised following Donovan's goal and almost grabbing the equaliser two minutes later with the goal scorer's swinging free-kick into the box missed by DeMerit and Onyewu, though the latter was judged to be offside.
The match began to become more and more stretched and mistakes were occurring more regularly as both sides threw caution to the wind to gain the upper hand in what was becoming an exciting contest.
Frustration
The US had the next chance in the 70th minute after Altidore was brought down cynically on the edge of the area by Marko Suler. Donovan launched the free-kick into the box but after a botched clearance by the Slovenian backline, Altidore could only fire a powerful shot straight into the arms of Handanovic.
The US were becoming more frustrated and the Slovenians more physical, but they were not creating clear-cut chances, with Altidore lashing wildly at a shot from outside the area.
The striker, who scored just one goal for Hull City in the Premier League last season, was putting in an admirable shift in the forward areas, chasing every long ball down as America became more desperate.
But the moment came through Michael Bradley thanks to brilliant work by Altidore, who beat the Slovenian defence in the air to nod it on to the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder to fire past Handanovic with a fine close-range finish in the 82nd minute.
The game was promising a pulsating finish as the US began to build a head of steam, with Altidore again causing all sorts of problems to try and completely turn the game on its head.
They thought they had done when another Donovan free-kick split the defence for Edu to put the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box; however the Malian referee Koman Coulibaly bizarrely disallowed the effort for pushing between both teams.
A tiring Slovenia then began to build pressure, Novakovic winning a header that fell fortunately straight into Howard's grateful arms as the final minute approached. Radosavljevic then had an attempt from long range parried out by the Everton keeper, who was furious with his defenders for neglecting their marking duties.
However the game was to finish honours even, albeit with a heated conclusion as the American players and coach Bradley berated the referee for his decision to disallow Edu's effort upon the final whistle.
| Slovenia |
Team Statistics |
USA |
| 2 |
Goals |
2 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 2 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 2 |
Corners |
4 |
| 16 |
Fouls |
18 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 4 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 77.6 |
Passing Success |
74.2 |
| 13 |
Tackles |
13 |
| 84.6 |
Tackles Success |
92.3 |
| 49.1 |
Possession |
50.9 |
| 60.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
39.9 |
|
