Brazilian referee Carlos Simon, who will officiate the USA-England World Cup game, carded plenty at the last World Cup. He showed five yellows during Italy’s 2-0 first-roundvictory over Ghana. He gave out eight more in Spain’s 3-1 win over Tunisia. When Germany beat Sweden in the second round he added four yellows and a red card.
“A foul in Englandis a foul,” U.S. backup goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who has played in England for more than a decade. “In another country, they’re wondering if it’s a yellowcard or a red card.”
Said U.S. coach Bob Bradley: “It’s important that there’s discipline. I think we’ve seen in a number of World Cups, especiallyin the first round, the fact that players must respect the game, must respect their opponents. Otherwise, there will be cards given.”