This World Cup has had its ups and downs when it comes to the actual play on the field, but I'm sure a consensus could be reached in regards to the officiating, or lack thereof.

I have a new found appreciation for officials in major American sports after seeing the horrible job that the FIFA officials have done during the World Cup.

Those bad calls continued today with a clear goal being taken away from England and an Argentina goal being allowed against Mexico. Both calls were easily the wrong call.

The England no-goal really hurt them because it would have tied the score 2-2 and changed the entire complexion of the game. Instead England continued to be down one and had to keep pressing for that tying goal which left wide open holes in the defense for Germany to counter attack.

Germany went on to win 4-1 with all of the momentum on their side.

The Argentina goal should have been disallowed because the player who scored the goal was offside. This missed call was also crucial because the team that scores the first goal usually wins in soccer.

So let me get this straight. You can't call offsides enough against the Americans, but then you miss offsides in an even bigger game?

Argentina controlled the rest of that game and won 3-1.

And of course we all know about the bad calls that plagued the United States in the group matches and luckily a miracle occurred with the last minute goal against Algeria.

These officials have to get better if this sport is going to gain any popularity in the United States. We have enough bad officiating to deal with in popular American sports.