How were the refs this week?

[FlashMan]

I'm away from DirectTv and soccer package, so all I saw was the new guy in the Galaxy/Dynamo game. I had high hopes for him as I believe we're almost having a ref crisis this year, the level of calls have been so poor (particularly on big calls like penalties in the box, etc., where they've been abhorrent). Sure enough, he (and his linemates) missed an admittedly tough handball on DeRo which led directly to the first goal. (Not that the Galaxy defense didn't make a hash out of it anyway.) He also seemed to miss some hard fouls and lost control at the end with the time wasting of the Dynamo and he hardly seemed to care. Frankly, I think he got very tired in the heat and started to wilt in the second half, along with the players. A poor performance overall in my book, though admittedly his first MLS game. I forget the poor guy's name.


I hesitate to ask, but how'd the rest of the guys do this week?

[MassachusettsRef]

Sure enough, he (and his linemates) missed an admittedly tough handball on DeRo which led directly to the first goal. (Not that the Galaxy defense didn't make a hash out of it anyway.) Look, I've never been an 100% ref apologist and I admit there are errors in MLS, but the fact that you--and I'm sure others--want that play to be whistled as a foul on DeRosario shows that, oftentimes, fans just don't know what they're complaining about.

There is absolutely no way that that was a case of deliberate handling by DeRosario--no chance. DeRosario's arms are continuing in his normal running motion and the clearance happens to hit his hand. Fortuitous? Yes. But in no way whatsoever a foul. I guarantee the AR on that side saw the contact and I bet the referee did as well. They chose not to call it because there was no call to make.

[szazzy]

The KC-NY crew was much improved from last week. Sorry, I tend not to learn their names until they screw my team over. :D

There were some complaints of handballs going uncalled on both sides, but he was consistent at least. The game mostly stayed under control.

[Red Card]

The KC-NY crew was much improved from last week. Sorry, I tend not to learn their names until they screw my team over. :D

There were some complaints of handballs going uncalled on both sides, but he was consistent at least. The game mostly stayed under control.

Check the tape where the trip occurred for the pk, ok? The ref did not have a good view but was quick to make the call. His major error was that he did not consult the linesman. I can understand a bad call, but he was wrong for not consulting before making his decision on something within a foot either way of the 18 yard box.

[Beau Dure]

In DC, the AR missed an offside call that would've wiped out the game's lone goal. Overall, though, it wasn't a bad game for Okulaja. Replays often backed him up. He could have gone to the cards a bit more instead of having his usual parent-teacher conferences, but in terms of calling the actual fouls, he wasn't bad.

[USFootiefan1980]

Check the tape where the trip occurred for the pk, ok? The ref did not have a good view but was quick to make the call. His major error was that he did not consult the linesman. I can understand a bad call, but he was wrong for not consulting before making his decision on something within a foot either way of the 18 yard box.


Yeah, that call was criminal.

[DCUnited*Fan]

There is absolutely no way that that was a case of deliberate handling by DeRosario--no chance. DeRosario's arms are continuing in his normal running motion and the clearance happens to hit his hand. Fortuitous? Yes. But in no way whatsoever a foul. I guarantee the AR on that side saw the contact and I bet the referee did as well. They chose not to call it because there was no call to make.

Wow. I have to disagree with you here. It was obvious to me and the commentators, and probably most folks who saw the replays that it was indeed deliberate. He pushed the ball away from the defender.

It may not have "appeared" to be deliberate to either the ref or the AR, and that is understandable, but to claim "absolutely" that it was not, is to be out of touch with reality.

[Bonji]

The Col - Chivas ref crew was better than the RSL - COL crew from a week ago, that is for sure. The Rapids lost this game on their own.

[Nick_78]

In DC, the AR missed an offside call that would've wiped out the game's lone goal. Overall, though, it wasn't a bad game for Okulaja. Replays often backed him up. He could have gone to the cards a bit more instead of having his usual parent-teacher conferences, but in terms of calling the actual fouls, he wasn't bad.


If by "missed an offside call" you mean "correctly kept his flag down" then yes, he missed it.

I thought he should have gone to the cards a lot more and I thought he was pretty inconsistent in what, exactly, was card-worthy. But overall, it wasn't too bad.

[MassachusettsRef]

Wow. I have to disagree with you here. It was obvious to me and the commentators, and probably most folks who saw the replays that it was indeed deliberate. He pushed the ball away from the defender.

It may not have "appeared" to be deliberate to either the ref or the AR, and that is understandable, but to claim "absolutely" that it was not, is to be out of touch with reality.Unless there's a better or higher-resolution replay than the one on MLSnet, I stand by my assessment. There just seems to be no way that DeRosario would be able to react quickly enough--whether to move his hand into position to strike the ball or to move his hand away. He's what, a yard away when the ball is cleared with full force? Making that call (handling) is a cop-out call, in my opinion--easy, because not many people would complaing--but definitely not the proper call.

[Jasonma]

Check the tape where the trip occurred for the pk, ok? The ref did not have a good view but was quick to make the call. His major error was that he did not consult the linesman. I can understand a bad call, but he was wrong for not consulting before making his decision on something within a foot either way of the 18 yard box.

I meant to start a thread about this, as it was almost as bad as the PK call on Colorado a week ago. What is it with MLS refs and not being able to see the line of the PK box?

[Thomas A Fina]

The KC-NY crew was much improved from last week. Sorry, I tend not to learn their names until they screw my team over. :D

There were some complaints of handballs going uncalled on both sides, but he was consistent at least. The game mostly stayed under control.

Weyland.

Believe me, when that mother********ing asshat piece of shit hands KC a point (they probably deserved, but anyway) because he wouldn't know a proper foul call if it kicke d him in the nuts, yeah, I'll remember his name

[POdinCowtown]

Crew played twice last week. Wednesday at DC Jair Marrufo centered and had a good game. He got the easy PK call correct on Popik and correctly gave yellow rather than red over DC's lobbying. Final score was a blowout but first half was close. He could have played 4 or 5 minutes of second half stoppage but both sides wanted off the field so he mercifully ended it at 90.

Saturday at Dallas, Toledo also had a good game. Match was end to end with 39 shots between the teams. Toledo didn't buy any Ruiz flops. He could have given more yellow cards for persistent infringement given the 30 fouls. He did give Ngwenya a yellow for dissent for complaining about Vanney only getting yellow for a really bad handball. Personally I'd like to see refs give more yellows for dissent and simulation.

[Nick_78]

Crew played twice last week. Wednesday at DC Jair Marrufo centered and had a good game. He got the easy PK call correct on Popik and correctly gave yellow rather than red over DC's lobbying. Final score was a blowout but first half was close. He could have played 4 or 5 minutes of second half stoppage but both sides wanted off the field so he mercifully ended it at 90.

The DC yellow wasn't for any kind of lobbying. It was shown to Filomeno for removing his shirt following his goal. That's an automatic yellow.

[szazzy]

Weyland.

Believe me, when that mother********ing asshat piece of shit hands KC a point (they probably deserved, but anyway) because he wouldn't know a proper foul call if it kicke d him in the nuts, yeah, I'll remember his name
You're right, my bad. The trip was outside the box. Like I said, selective memory. :D

[monster]

The DC yellow wasn't for any kind of lobbying. It was shown to Filomeno for removing his shirt following his goal. That's an automatic yellow.
He meant some DC fans wanted a red on Popik. This DC fan thought the yellow was justified.

[DCUnited*Fan]

Unless there's a better or higher-resolution replay than the one on MLSnet, I stand by my assessment. There just seems to be no way that DeRosario would be able to react quickly enough--whether to move his hand into position to strike the ball or to move his hand away. He's what, a yard away when the ball is cleared with full force? Making that call (handling) is a cop-out call, in my opinion--easy, because not many people would complaing--but definitely not the proper call.


I am commenting from what I saw off of my recording of the HD broadcast on a 46in television. It is probably a better view than most folks get off of MLSNet.

Actually, it is pretty amazing. I am glad I made that call in time for this World Cup.

Anyhow, i am sure that on MLSNet there is no way to make a conclusive assesment. I don't really fault the refs at all, but it was pretty clear in slow mo and on a big screen. Them's the berries, I guess!

No worries!

[Nick_78]

He meant some DC fans wanted a red on Popik. This DC fan thought the yellow was justified.

Oh, he meant:

"He got the easy PK call correct on Popik and correctly gave yellow rather than red despite DC's lobbying"

And not:

"He got the easy PK call correct on Popik and correctly gave yellow rather than red over DC's lobbying"

My bad. :o

[SoccerMan94043]

Considering the position of everyone on the potential Dero handball, I don't think there was anyway it's going to be called... all the refs would have been shielded.

Also, the ref missed a red card for the foul on Moreno (I think) on the breakaway later in the game. While the fould was called (and a yellow card given), it was the last defender and it was a clear goal scoring opportunity.

[the_cyclones]

Check the tape where the trip occurred for the pk, ok? The ref did not have a good view but was quick to make the call. His major error was that he did not consult the linesman. I can understand a bad call, but he was wrong for not consulting before making his decision on something within a foot either way of the 18 yard box.

It was an obvious make up call for not calling the penalty earlier :)

So, 2 big misses there.

Also there were like 5 handballs in the game that the ref's never called(both ways ofcourse).

Overall the reffing was ... oh let's say "on-par" with the rest of the season. Though I hear it was Infinitely better than last week's DC @ KC game (which I missed).