Photo by ISIphotos.com
From the "Not that guy again" department comes word that the referee for the U.S. Under-20 national team's crucial Under-20 World Cup match against Cameroon on Tuesday (12:40pm, ESPN2) will be none other than Jorge Larrionda.
Name doesn't ring a bell? He's the same referee who officiated the 2006 World Cup match between Italy and the United States (a match that saw three red cards, including two to American players). Larrionda most recently served as the referee for the U.S. team's shocking 2-0 upset win against Spain, a match that saw Larrionda issue a questionable red card to Michael Bradley in the dying moments of the match. After the match, Larrionda filed a report with FIFA claiming that Bradley verbally abused him after the match in the locker room area, a complaint that led to Bradley serving a toothless three-match suspension during the Gold Cup.
Perhaps this isn't bad news after all. Consider that the U.S. national team tied eventual WOrld Cup winners Italy and upset No. 1 ranked Spain in the two matches in question. Could we see another positive result for the Americans?
What do you think of this news? Surprised? Laughing to keep from crying? Calling your bookie to throw all your money on the USA getting a red card on Tuesday?
Share your thoughts below.
