As we start to see informal reports that it's Lopez, it dawns on me that I've been thinking of the Garcia/Ramos angle from a Mexico angle or the angle of "well, the best referee should get the match." Hadn't thought of the Jamaica angle, which would be to not have a referee from the country that they just surprisingly eliminated in the semis (oddly, it's the first angle I think about at the FIFA/UEFA level, so shows how I view CONCACAF, well, differently). Anyway, that would be the top reason to not have a Mexican referee and a top reason why Lopez could be the guy.
But the US eliminated El Salvador and had Aguilar right after. And I don't see how whether the elimination is surprising should play a role.
The US likely wouldn't object to Aguilar because they know the alternative could be much worse. Does the Jamaican FA feel the same way? Given everything that happened two years ago and the feeling among the smaller federations that the US and Mexico control everything, I'm not so sure. And "surprising" was an almost superfluous adjective. Not intended to mean much in the referee assignment context.
Also, to be clear, the assignments like the Aguilar one and the limited possibilities to avoid conflicts is one of the reasons I think I inherently presume the Mexicans could ref the Final. I'm just pointing out that the potential perspective of the Jamaican FA dawned on me today.
Watson almost breaks Jordan Morrison's ankle 10 minutes into the game and he just ges a talking to... A red in that moment is just unrealistic, but at least a yellow please.
An amusing thing I noticed....Jamaica had a break away and I saw the AR sprinting and pumping his flag arm like the rawest youth AR. Guess he figured it was better to keep up with play then to show good form.
I doubt any of us could keep up with the Jamaicans. From the far corner, it looked like Lopez did a pretty good job, though some of the home folks were upset with some of his no calls. Anyway, it was a great game.
lol I noticed that too- i must admit that in extreme circumstances of fatigue, I have done it. It's good to know how silly it looks!