World Cup ref curbs America’s soccer enthusiasm

During the next few weeks, while Americans continue to act like they give a damn about soccer, Koman Coulibaly will be public enemy #1 among the “I’m following the World Cup because it makes me feel connected to the rest of the planet” set.

Who is Koman Coulibaly?  He’s the official who called a phantom holding penalty on the US that nullified what would have been the go ahead goal against Slovenia. You know Slovenia, the sporting power where indoor plumbing and electricity are still looked at suspiciously by the country’s superstitious villagers.  Take a look at the play for yourself:

The match ended in a tie, but only after the Americans fought back from a 2-0 deficit that had fairweather soccer “fans” jumping off the bandwagon so fast you’d think it was on fire.  As it stands, the tie temporarily puts the US in second place in the Group C standings, that is until England polishes off Algeria in a few hours.

I’ll be honest, after watching that snooze fest opener in which the US used a BS goal to force a tie with England, I found myself wishing college football would hurry up and get here that much sooner. Yeah, I know, soccer’s the sport of the world, but I just can’t make a love connection to it ($1 to Chuck Woolery).

Tony Reali of “Around the Horn” and “PTI” fame tweeted that America’s new least favoriate ref reminded him of Leon from “Curb Your Enthusisam.” Geez, I mean there’s a little resemblance between Coulibaly and AJ Smoove, but not that much:

Maybe all men who happen to be skinny, bald and black remind Reali of Smoove. I for one am guilty of thinking that all 50ish white men with a half mullet, gray beard and beer gut look like Kenny Rogers.

This gives me as good an excuse as any to throw up a Leon clip. Let me warn the faint of heart and easily offended that there is nothing PG rated about Leon, so proceed with caution: