World Cup: U.S. vs. Slovenia: Slovenia leads 1-0
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The U.S. said it wouldn’t overlook Slovenia but it sure looks like it isn’t taking the team seriously in the opening minutes with Valter Birsa waiting just 13 minutes to give Slovenia a 1-0 lead.
His left-footed missile from just outside the box whistled pass U.S. keeper Tim Howard.
The U.S had the first scoring chance in the sixth minute on a Landon Donovan corner kick but nothing came of it.
In the eighth minute the first chants of USA! USA! USA! began.
In the ninth minute a nice crossing pass by Brisa skipped past the U.S. goal when Milivoje Novakovic couldn’t flag it down.
The game got off to a chippy start when, in the opening minute, U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey banged Slovenia’s Zlatan Ljubijankic as both went up to head a ball. The Slovenian striker went down hard, holding his left check just below the eye. After being attended to briefly on the field, he walked off holding an ice pack to his face.
Ljubijankic quickly returned.
-- Kevin Baxter in Johannesburg, South Africa