U.S. soccer follows same pattern as last year

IRENE, South Africa (AP) - The pattern is hard to miss: The United States falls behind by a goal or two, then tries to scramble back.

So U.S. coach Bob Bradley gathered his players together Friday night - after the thrilling comeback and disallowed goal - and reminded them about Father's Day in Rustenburg last year, when he spoke to his team after opening losses to Italy and Brazil in the Confederations Cup.

They responded by routing Egypt 3-0, and didn't stop there. The U.S. went on to upset European champion Spain and advanced to the final against Brazil, where the Americans took a two-goal lead before losing.

"Whether you are a father or you're thinking about your own father, we all shake each other's hand and give each other a hug and it's a happy Father's Day deal," he said Saturday. "That turned the tide. So maybe that will do it this time around, too."

In a tournament dominated by mostly dull matches, the U.S. has survived two edge-of-your-seat games. But time is running out.

The Americans played to a 1-1 tie with England, a controversial goal was nixed and gave them with a 2-2 tie against Slovenia and now comes Algeria on Wednesday. The U.S. can guarantee a berth in the second round with a win. If it ties, it would advance only if England loses to the Slovenes or the English tie and don't overcome the U.S. advantage in goals, currently 3-1.

"I think going into that final game we have to go in believing we're going to get out of the group, because that's the only way to think," defender Jay DeMerit said. "Is that going to happen? We'll find out."

After being eliminated in the first-round at the 2006 tournament in Germany, the U.S. had high hopes coming into this World Cup, especially with Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard in the prime of their careers.

While the offense has produced goals, the defense has been shaky. England and Slovenia exploited gaps between the midfield and defense, and DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu have been slow to react at times. As a result, the opposition had space that allowed it to split the back line. In eight of the last 12 qualifiers and World Cup matches combined, the U.S. has allowed the first goal.

"It's not like we sit and say to ourselves, all right, let's wait until we go down 1-0, 2-0," said Michael Bradley, the coach's son. "You play at the highest level, you can't give away goals like that."

Donovan said players had only themselves to blame for the goals by Slovenia.

American players were pleased with the opening tie against England, but frustrated by the draw against Slovenia, a team they felt they should have beaten. After falling behind 2-0 at halftime, the U.S. came back on goals by Donovan and Bradley and thought they had gone ahead when Maurice Edu knocked in Donovan's free kick in the 85th minute.

However, referee Koman Coulibaly of Mali called off the goal, apparently for a foul. He didn't give an explanation - none was required - leaving U.S. players angry and fans back home howling. The U.S. Soccer Federation decided there was nothing in FIFA's rules allowing an appeal, so the matter is closed.

Bradley maintained that it was a "good goal" and speculated that Coulibaly, working his first World Cup match, regretted awarding the free kick and blew his whistle to immediately negate it. He suspects there never will be an explanation, though FIFA said its refereeing experts will comment Monday on Coulibaly's performance.