[Jon Martin]

There was recently a heated argument on an MLS board which revolved around interpretation of dangerous play.

Two opposing players approached a rolling ball near the touch line at top speed; their paths were at a 45 degree angle as they converged. The defender slid in an attempt to clear the 50-50 ball out of touch. He accomplished exactly that. In the course of sliding, his lead foot touched the ball first. His opponent touched the ball second. His slide then led his trailing leg to take out the supporting leg of the opponent (all in a fraction of a second), who fell hard.

The defender was ruled to have fouled the attacking player, and a yellow card was issued. The T.V. commentator objected. Opinions of B.S. posters have varied.

What says the panel?

[IASocFan]

I have trouble seeing the trailing leg take out the player that got there second from a 45 degree angle. However, if the defender slid with both feet up and took out the attacker, it sounds like a reckless play, worthy of a foul and a yellow card.

Getting to the ball first doesn't mean you didn't play recklessly.

[Alberto]

Originally posted by Jon Martin
There was recently a heated argument on an MLS board which revolved around interpretation of dangerous play.

Two opposing players approached a rolling ball near the touch line at top speed; their paths were at a 45 degree angle as they converged. The defender slid in an attempt to clear the 50-50 ball out of touch. He accomplished exactly that. In the course of sliding, his lead foot touched the ball first. His opponent touched the ball second. His slide then led his trailing leg to take out the supporting leg of the opponent (all in a fraction of a second), who fell hard.

The defender was ruled to have fouled the attacking player, and a yellow card was issued. The T.V. commentator objected. Opinions of B.S. posters have varied.

What says the panel?

This points out one of the great misconceptions among players and fan alike. Just because you got to the ball first does not mean you made a fair and clean tackle. If you have to go through the player or if your trailing leg that quickly takes the opponent down it's clearly a foul. The rest is a judgement by the referee if the action is worthy of a caution or send-off based on criteria established by FIFA and the USSF. If the tackle is from behind which is what this sounds like, a caution could be warranted. It comes down to "in the opinion of the referee".

[XYZ]

It's very hard to have an opinion without seeing the play. And it's impossible to know what the referee saw.

Provided the referee was in a position to see the play, I'll go with his call.

Alberto:
This points out one of the great misconceptions among players and fan alike. Just because you got to the ball first does not mean you made a fair and clean tackle.

Players, fans and coaches have this misconception.
Ball? What ball? There's a ball?
It's not a question of whether a player gets the ball. It's a question of how much of the other player he gets.

[MPJ334]

Originally posted by Jon Martin
What says the panel?

this panel member says...never listen to MLS commentators.

[Alberto]

Originally posted by MPJ334

this panel member says...never listen to MLS commentators.

Except for Shepp Messing most of the time. Doesn't make excuses for players bad plays. case in point, last's nights commentary during the send off on the Metros. Called the players actions stupid. Not thinking, what did he expect would happen. Classic non-homer commentator.

[billf]

I saw this play. It was clearly reckless and the player earned the card. Most MLS commentators have no idea what they're talking about.

[Greyhnd00]

Originally posted by Alberto


Except for Shepp Messing most of the time. Doesn't make excuses for players bad plays. case in point, last's nights commentary during the send off on the Metros. Called the players actions stupid. Not thinking, what did he expect would happen. Classic non-homer commentator.

His book was a great read.

[Greyhnd00]

Originally posted by Alberto


This points out one of the great misconceptions among players and fan alike. Just because you got to the ball first does not mean you made a fair and clean tackle. If you have to go through the player or if your trailing leg that quickly takes the opponent down it's clearly a foul. The rest is a judgement by the referee if the action is worthy of a caution or send-off based on criteria established by FIFA and the USSF. If the tackle is from behind which is what this sounds like, a caution could be warranted. It comes down to "in the opinion of the referee".

Why not remove the "touches the ball first" statement?....It seems to confuse more then help?

[Native Aztexan]

Originally posted by billf
I saw this play. It was clearly reckless and the player earned the card. Most MLS commentators have no idea what they're talking about.

I agree. The problem is that most commentators (from Fox Sports and/or MLS Shootout) say with their heart (home team support) and not with their mind (laws of the game). Credit Messing for comments on Addo's reckless tackle. BTW Addo was that player whom last year with the Mutiny also commited a senseless tackle on Josh Wolff that knock him out of the World Cup Qualifliers and the 2001 MLS Season. Yet he received a yellow card for it.