That is true of any foul. Just because you don't break someone's leg with a two-footed diving challenge, doesn't mean you get away with it. The laws of the game are clear, no contact is needed to call a foul. Direct quote from the laws (emphasis mine): "Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made." The laws usually don't state contact is a must for any infraction, it's the use or attempted use, or the foul or attempted foul. I like Martinez, but that was 100% a red card. He tried to slap the shit out of a guy in the face. Unacceptable.
Hands to an opponent's face is a point of emphasis this season. Aren't there referee instructions to the effect that it requires contact with more than negligible force? Someone quoted that in another thread.
That's a guideline, not a law. I mean, if Martinez stood there and KO punched Espinoza, it would be a red. You telling me if he took the same swing but barely missed, it would be 'no harm no foul'? Doesn't work that way.
This was certainly a tough one. It came down to finishing. Similar to the Seattle game, we had 3 or 4 of the best chances in the match and didn't cash any of them in. A road draw against a good team is fine of course, but the game was ours and we didn't take it. I'm a little disappointed. That red card call is one that can go either way. Pipa should never leave his feet there. Martinez will get a couple game ban, he'll be gone for the World Cup anyway, so it won't matter much in the grand scheme, but I hate to see that kind of nasty behavior from anyone. It was gross. Seemed like he was reacting to a pinch or grab of his tricep after, so I get that he was reacting to something, he's just got to be more composed. He was lucky that he didn't cost us the point. The defense was great, again. I mentioned that Zusi is an important fulcrum of their offensive scheme. He was absolutely invisible. Before and after the red card. The team did a great job on him and all midfield threats, limiting space, time and forward options. I was really impressed. I thought Artur was very good defensively but he had more turnovers this game than I've seen from him in a while. Pipa at one point gave him a bit of a talking to. I'm not sure what was going on there, but he was off in his attacking play. We need our striker to finish those chances. Golden Boot winners finish those chances. I'm by no means getting off the GZHT express to glory, but if he's not scoring, we've shown that we don't have anyone else.
Looking at the replay, it's clear to me that Higuain had to go. But the referee was also looking directly at the tackle and didn't even call a foul, which is what Berhalter pointed out as being ridiculous (and I agree). Martinez behaving like a petulant child - it's pretty infuriating and we are lucky for the result since he wasnt dismissed. You just can't do that.
Atlanta fan and general MLS watcher. Columbus probably deserved a 2nd red for the hand towards the face. The bigger problem was that there wasn't a video review. The VAR refs seem to have some control over the refs in MLS. Whatever the issue is, it needs to be fixed fairly.
If I’m not mistaken, the rules are set up so that a player on a national team has to serve any league suspension while he’s actually with his club.
Do. Or do not. There is no try. And then Martinez will make rocks and an X-wing levitate into the goal.
The committee has unanimously rescinded Higuain's red card: https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-disciplinary-summary/2018/week13/federico-higuain-appeal
Wow. That's odd as there was a report earlier that said the suspension was upheld. Edit: He still got a fine for failure to leave the field after the card.
Sorry not in the budget since they spent 2 Million bucks on Queso, Scarves, and Precourt’s Bachelor party...