While we are celebrating the USWNT’s victory over Germany 2-0 in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup Tuesday, we should note that a bad call by the referees helped us get the win.
Carli Lloyd got the US on the board in the 69th minute when she converted a penalty kick to make it 1-0. Lloyd took the PK for Alex Morgan, who was fouled as she approached the box in the second half. Though she received a penalty kick, replays clearly showed the foul occurred outside the box, meaning she should have only received a free kick, not a penalty kick.
Here is the video:
“It was clearly outside of the area and it can be seen quite clearly on television,” German coach Silvia Neid said afterwards.
She is absolutely correct but, again, we will take it.
That wasn’t the only call to go the US’ way in the match. Julie Johnston should have been shown a red card and sent off for this foul in the second half:
Julie Johnston's reaction after conceding the PK. #USAvGER pic.twitter.com/3VbACW4C6d
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) July 1, 2015
That foul led to a penalty kick that Germany’s Celia Sasic missed. Johnston should have been out of the game after that instead of receiving just a yellow card.
Neid once again mentioned the call in her postgame news conference.
Neid, on whether Johnston should've gotten red card on PK call: "The rule says yes, but she didn't get a red card" #USAvGER
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 1, 2015
Image via @WorldofIsaac
