It looked comfortable for Slovenia in the early stages of the match as they played a good, organised game of football, not allowing the USA much sight of the ball. The Americans were on the backfoot for much of the first half as Slovenia created the chances. It was Birsa who scored the first goal, and prior to that goal, he had probably been the one who had provided the greatest attack to the American defence. He was able to latch on to the ball from 25 yards out and took a punt which sailed past keeper Tim Howard and landed beautifully into the net. One of the best goals we have seen so far in the competition and the Slovenians were 1-0 up. The American response was good but they were prevented from getting an equaliser, after some great defending and fantastic saves from Handanovic.
However, just at the Americans advanced forward, the Slovenians doubled their lead with a fine counter-attacking move, resulting in a goal by Ljubijankic. It looked as though the Slovenians had won it before the second half had even begun. But you can never know with the Americans. The coach, Bob Bradley made two attacking substitutions at half time, knowing his side had it in them to pull a goal or even two back. And, they were of immediate impact, as within minutes of the restart, the impressive Landon Donovan was able to get himself into the box and smash the ball into the top corner of the Slovenian net. The Slovenians certainly weren't expecting that, and it was all to play. Suddenly the game became became really intense as the USA sensed a way back. They were kept out on several occasions by Handanovic and it was real end-to-end stuff as the Slovenians tried to put the game past the Americans.
Bob Bradley changed to a 3-4-3 formation, by taking off Onyewu for a striker, Gomez. The move played dividends, as it was Bradley's son, Michael who got the equaliser. The USA could have won the game too, had it not been for a poor decision by the Malian referee to rule it out. The US had a free kick which was curled in and volleyed in by Edu but the referee adjudged a foul to have taken place and had blown his whistle before the ball had nestled in the back of the net. Replays showed this not to have been the case - infact it was the Slovenians who were fouling the Americans - if anything, the Americans could have had a shout out for a penalty. The controversial decision brought a furious reaction from the USA, and rightly so. They had done well after going 2-0 down to bring it back, and had had the better chances to get the win. The Slovenians got extremely lucky as they managed to see the game out 2-2.
The result now means that Group C has been thrown wide open with the Slovenians leading the way with 5 points.
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