Discipline decisions for 6/15 games are out.

[Bootsy Collins]

The results:

Pablo Mastroeni got a one game suspension and a $250 fine for his red card against the L.A. Galaxy Wednesday night.

Guy Melamed got a one game suspension and a $500 fine -- more than Pablo Mastroeni -- for his red card against the Galaxy Wednesday night, despite it being obvious to the broadcasting crew and to everyone I've seen mention it on here that he slipped on the turf and thus the red card was a bad call.

Nelson Akwari got a one game suspension and a $1000 fine for accumulated caution points.

Oh, Zach Thornton? He got nothing at all.

Sometimes the MLS offices can be such a fscking joke.

[Nick_78]

Looks like he got a caution for lack of respect for the game. Boy, that should learn 'em!

[GDopplerXT]

The results:

Pablo Mastroeni got a one game suspension and a $250 fine for his red card against the L.A. Galaxy Wednesday night.

Guy Melamed got a one game suspension and a $500 fine -- more than Pablo Mastroeni -- for his red card against the Galaxy Wednesday night, despite it being obvious to the broadcasting crew and to everyone I've seen mention it on here that he slipped on the turf and thus the red card was a bad call.

Nelson Akwari got a one game suspension and a $1000 fine for accumulated caution points.

Oh, Zach Thornton? He got nothing at all.

Sometimes the MLS offices can be such a fscking joke.

Not surprised that Fatty got no further punishment. What a joke.

[gnat]

********ERS! :mad:

-dave

[TheFarSide]

a holes

[Th4119]

Guy Melamed got a one game suspension and a $500 fine -- more than Pablo Mastroeni -- for his red card against the Galaxy Wednesday night, despite it being obvious to the broadcasting crew and to everyone I've seen mention it on here that he slipped on the turf and thus the red card was a bad call.


One of the most unfortunate slips I've ever seen.

Unfortunately, the ref probably saw the beginning of it in his peripheral vision and turned right as Melamed got him two footed from behind with both studs up and almost flipped the Galaxy player.

Even if it was unintentional, it's hard not to give a red on this play, but it was so obvious that it was an accident. Why would anyone just slide tackle a guy who's waiting on a 50/50 ball? Some common sense by the officiating crew, and now the MLS office, would have gone a long way.

As far as Thornton, that's just pathetic. Talk about playing favorites. The MLS committee that oversees this stuff is going to feel like a bunch of jerks when Thornton does this to another star player (Guevara and Moreno being victims already) and ends their season. What's their reaction going to be when Donovan takes two minutes to set up a PK on him and then grabs the ball? Will he try to maul him, too? It would suck to see this happen to Landon (for the US team's perspective) but what happens if big Zach tears up his knee on a similar play?

This is the second chance in a row (at least) that MLS has had to nip this type of behavior in the bud, and chances are it will continue to escalate.

[NattyBo]

******** you ref

[griffin1108]

The Melamed decision is just pathetic. The guy just slipped on the bad turf and took the guy out, absolutely no intent whatsoever. I can see the ref blowing the call in "real time", but jeebus, doesn't MLS review video of the incident?

As for the Thornton, I'm in receipt of an update. The MLS has revoked his privileges at Ben & Jerry's and Baskin Robbins for the remainder of the regular season. That'll show him.

MutinyWXgirl, what say you to this outrage?

[seahawkdad]

I just hope we remember all of this the next time that Doublewide fills the nets (literally) at RFK.

[dcuinvermont]

Thorton got has azz handed to him by being beaten on a penalty and then being beaten to the ball by the guy who scored against him. Following that he saw 3 more hit the back of the net.
So instead of a piss ass $ fine, he got a big bag of shame to carry around with him for all of the subsequent games. Every player in the league knows he was a prick to do what he did, and they also know that Melemed got shafted. Those are the kind of condequences that have a lot bigger impact on players behavior in the future.

[Kenobi]

Also, it's MLS policy not to publish any punishments involving donut privileges...

[Th4119]

Also, it's MLS policy not to publish any punishments involving donut privileges...

On a related note, I hear this is the reason behind MLS not letting Meola back into the league. MLS is saving 10% of their total annual budget by not having to buy that tractor trailer the donut incentives he has put in his contract.

[gnat]

Those are the kind of condequences that have a lot bigger impact on players behavior in the future.
Unfortunately, they are the wrong ones. Melemed (no idea what happened, just taking the explanations here) will likely get upset and it will effect his game in a negative fashion.

Fat Boy has already proven (ala the Amado incident, though I couldn't wish it on a more deserving prick) that he carries no guilt and as long as the Fire and/or MLS don't do something, he will continue to do it. I can understand being pissy over a goal and I can understand wanting to delay the game, but that was asinine and dangerous.

-dave

[Th4119]

Fat Boy has already proven (ala the Amado incident, though I couldn't wish it on a more deserving prick) that he carries no guilt and as long as the Fire and/or MLS don't do something, he will continue to do it. I can understand being pissy over a goal and I can understand wanting to delay the game, but that was asinine and dangerous.

-dave

Exactly. Now he feels like what he did was acceptable and will continue to do it until the league levies anything against him.

This is ridiculous.

[McOwen]

Exhibit #1,001

Why the core of MLS is a rinky tink bushleague operation.... :mad:

Its interesting to compare MLS to other leagues... I just went to my first Nationals MLB game the other week and the umps made a couple of "bad" calls... Even while heckling the umps (the FU Ump actually got a few converts ;) ) I knew that the odds were they were right.

Watching highlights later I saw they were...

This league NEEDS to seriously address their ref's professionalism much like MLB and the NFL have. Sure people blow the occasional call in any sport... its part of the game, but only MLS (or perhaps BOXING) do I see such week in and out incompetence....

[shepchews]

The thing that make me happy, and provides a bit of solace, is that on both of Gomez's goals the ball bounced RIGHT BACK to him and he caught it and ran with it, cradling it like a baby, as he celebrated his goals. That really burned lard-ass. I hate that bucket of goo.

[mutinywxgirl]

The Melamed decision is just pathetic. The guy just slipped on the bad turf and took the guy out, absolutely no intent whatsoever. I can see the ref blowing the call in "real time", but jeebus, doesn't MLS review video of the incident?

As for the Thornton, I'm in receipt of an update. The MLS has revoked his privileges at Ben & Jerry's and Baskin Robbins for the remainder of the regular season. That'll show him.

MutinyWXgirl, what say you to this outrage?

I'm shocked that Thornton didn't get something! Regarding the others, there are set 'standards' of fines for various infractions. Yes, the ref blew the one call, but the league upholds the decision and implements the 'discipline' accordingly. Regarding the $1000 for accumulated points - that sounds right, from what I remember with USL numbers several years ago.

I really am surprised about Thornton though, as I've seen others get fined for things done that were not nearly as bad as his. Hmmmmm......let me see if I can get any information about this as to what was the rationale behind it.

[mutinywxgirl]

Exhibit #1,001

Why the core of MLS is a rinky tink bushleague operation.... :mad:

Its interesting to compare MLS to other leagues... I just went to my first Nationals MLB game the other week and the umps made a couple of "bad" calls... Even while heckling the umps (the FU Ump actually got a few converts ;) ) I knew that the odds were they were right.

Watching highlights later I saw they were...

This league NEEDS to seriously address their ref's professionalism much like MLB and the NFL have. Sure people blow the occasional call in any sport... its part of the game, but only MLS (or perhaps BOXING) do I see such week in and out incompetence....

Unfortunately, MLS will never be able to have full time professional referees. IF they did - they could require a much higher standard. As it is, these guys are all independent contractors with USSF. They have the option to decline a game assignment if they so choose (very few do). They do get graded on every game, and when they have a bad one, it takes two good ones to make up for it. Also, new blood does need to come into the mix and as it does, you're going to see blown calls. But, if they don't get that higher level experience, they will never have the chance to improve. Yes, it's vicious circle, but not one that I believe makes MLS "bush league".

Actually, please define what you mean by "professionalism".

[Bootsy Collins]

Exhibit #1,001

Why the core of MLS is a rinky tink bushleague operation.... :mad:

[ snip ]

This league NEEDS to seriously address their ref's professionalism much like MLB and the NFL have. Sure people blow the occasional call in any sport... its part of the game, but only MLS (or perhaps BOXING) do I see such week in and out incompetence....
What's worse here is that it's not simply a question of poor refereeing. It's the MLS Offices, who must review tapes of the incidents they consider, choosing not to step in and be proactive when even the Fire fans thought his actions deserved a fine/suspension.

[Hedbal]

Is it possible that the League only reviews red cards for possible fines? That would explain why Blimpy goes Scot-free. Of course, the real scandal in all this is that he received only a yellow for a straight red foul.