I Got Your Back (11/21)

EL SEGUNDO, CA - B3-United States players ran into the back of B4-Wales' Gareth Bale twice, one which led to a late match-tying PK and one that prevented a killer mid-field attempt by Bale at an empty goal (a la Patrik Schick's mid-field strike in the Euros) almost 10 minutes into stoppage time.  USA dominated the first half but only got one goal (their only shot on goal) as WAL pushed in the second half and got their opportunity and Bale hit a great PK strike to tie the match at 1 in the 82'.  

Getting a 1-1 tie feels like a loss considering how strong USA came out.  Walker Zimmerman's silly foul going through Bale, whose back was against the goal, in the box was costly even though WAL was playing better.  This likely means USA will need to score a few goals against B2-IR Iran in their last match, much less winning.  

Had a meeting that went over by 45 minutes so I got to watch the worst of USA, with 10 minutes + 10 minutes stoppage left at the lobby of the Toyota Sports Performance Center (zero soccer fans) wearing the 2021 USA away kit.  Eventually just watched the end in my car.

B1-England quieted doubters in routing IRN 6-2 in an indoor soccer type of score line.   A4-Netherlands needed two late goals to pick up 3 points against A3-Senegal and keep pace with A2-Ecuador.  

What is with all these crazy long stoppage times?  10 minutes put in at end of ENG-IRN match (that went nearly 13 minutes) and 9 for USA-WAL.  There was also more than 10 minutes in the first half of ENG-IRN due to a GK injury.  With FIFA trying to keep the ball "in play" longer, the numbers being put up by the refs are unusually high.  In one aspect, fake or real injuries during play will be cumulatively added so that the losing team will get that extra time but that also means players are on the pitch longer and players are already cramping up (in mild temps, not the summer heat).

In the pool, 23 entries got all 3 matches correct while Markofthebeast missing all 3.  He also is the only one with zero points while 13 have four points.  107 of 109 got ENG, 97 NED, and 19 picked the USA-WAL tie.