World Cup’s 101 Most Memorable Moments: USMNT robbed of semifinals

By Doug McIntyre
FOX Sports Soccer Writer

Editor’s notice: Each day between now and the kickoff of the primary match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Nov. 20, we’ll unveil a special reminiscence from World Cup historical past. The countdown from 101 continues with the USMNT’s controversial end result vs. Germany in 2002.

The United States Men’s National Team was throughout mighty Germany of their quarterfinal assembly in Ulsan, South Korea, earlier than finally succumbing on Michael Ballack’s first-half purpose. Yet if not for a controversial no-call, the Americans may have upset the then-three-time World Cup champs. 

With the U.S. pushing furiously for an equalizer within the second half, central defender (and present USMNT coach) Gregg Berhalter obtained a boot on a flicked-on Claudio Reyna nook kick and directed a shot towards the German internet. The effort beat keeper Oliver (*101*) however not the arm of defender Torsten Frings, which saved the ball from crossing the purpose line. The Americans pleaded with referee Hugh Dallas to provide Frings a pink card and award them a penalty; had they transformed, the sport would have been tied, and Bruce Arena’s aspect would’ve been up a person the remainder of the match, plus additional time.

The Scottish official was unmoved, nevertheless. Without VAR, the choice on the sector stood, and the USA’s run ended there. It was the nation’s greatest exhibiting for the reason that inaugural World Cup in 1930, but 20 years later, U.S. followers are nonetheless questioning how a lot additional they could have gone if not for Dallas’ no-call.

Handball no-call

The USMNT have been robbed in opposition to Germany after the referee missed a vital handball.

One of the main soccer journalists in North America, Doug McIntyre has lined United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at a number of FIFA World Cups. Before becoming a member of FOX Sports in 2021, he was a workers author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.