can't be bothered to add the link but I'm sure someone will be along in a minute with one. No word yet on any punishment against the ref Ricardo Salazar for his incompetance though.
http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/MLS/page_95_53390.shtml No rational response from me...it ought to quell all those MLS-Loves-LA Conspiracy theories for at least two minutes...
This is ridiculous when Kovalenko can get by with one for a play that ends a players season if not his career. If it's ruled intentional then give him a ban but be consistent.
Dream on. If Ricardo Salazar's refereeing didn't kill that belief, nothing ever will. There are none so blind as those who will not see.
Pot, meet kettle. Kettle, meet pot. How presumptious for you to comment on what I have or haven't overlooked.
So i see MLS has become the intent police. Oddly enough not when it actually happens, but day or weeks later after they have had Psychologists and mind readers come in to review the tape and judge intent. Oh and after the medical report is in too.... bruise we'll just fine him, concussion fine plus one game suspension, orbital bone break well.. let's give him 2 games and a fine. I see MLS working here... theres a destruction chart in the league office, when you do this, this happens.. as long as we discover you intended to do it, of course. Kill all ref's and MLS officals
Compared to Kovalenko's punishment, that's kind of harsh. I had a feeling that Ruiz would get fined and maybe a one-game suspension, but two is surprising. Well that's okay, it's time for Albright to step and have his breakout season!
Since Ruiz is off on national team duty this weekend, LAG will only miss him one more game than they would otherwise anyway.
No presumption at all, your comment made it crystal clear you hadn't looked in the mirror. A huge shock it was that you then chose to kill the messenger. How very "high horse" of you. At least you are consistent.
wizardscharter, MLS HQ will be expecting thank yous for all the babywipes they sent to your letter writing cohorts. Run along. Thanks.
The punta got off light Could be. It would be consistent with their decisions to change the clock, the shootout, OT, playoffs, etc. The loudest, not necessarilly the majority have ruled. Then again, maybe a part of it might be his history. His talent certainly includes his ability to "play-act". That isn't in any dispute even among Gal fans. It's in his nickname. If you watch the tape of the KC game (or any other for that matter), he's routinelly caught clearly embellishing minimal, non-existing, or actual contact. He is physical, his elbows are at a constant Bill Lambier position. Etc. The game needs to exterminate this type of behavior. If this in reality one-game suspension stamps it out a bit, so be it. Someone needs to tell the punta to stay on his feet. You still doubt? Then explain why, in a game where the usage of hands is illegal, a player's arms need to be fully extended and then brought down with force. It isn't to gain vertical, it doesn't work that way. It couldn't have been to use someone as a platform as Talley was behind the approach of the ball. It isn't to shield. Anyone who has ever played any contact sport will tell you that the contact should be closer to the center of gravity somewhere around hip level or slightly above. Elbows should be lower to shield. There was only one purpose and he got caught. Also, explain why Ruiz is blessed with the innate balance of a Chinese acrobat, yet gets knocked off his pins any time he's not in the proper position. He's disgraceful. The weakness in his game is his brain. He's so competitive that at some point his brain starts to ignore rules.
Don't whine to me. It isn't any fan's fault that LA's only source of offense can't control himself, or that San Ho's cripple crew somehow managed a tie among the empty seats. I guess LA can't get a gift penalty every week, huh? 11 games and 2 wins...very impressive.
WizardsCharter, put down the friggin crack pipe and try and recall all the arms and elbows that Talley was throwing too. Strange how you conviently forget that fact.
I think that Ruiz got what he deserved because he got caught. Maybe not during the game but afterwards. I don't care if it's Carlos Ruiz or Carey Talley throwing the elbows-it has no place in the game of soccer. I think it is up to the league to express to the officials to watch for this behavior and take action. I would rather have a KC-LA based on very competitive games as opposed to who got the last cheap shot in. If one of the Wizards were to seriously injure a player on another team, purposely, I would hope that they would be suspended letting them know that *************** is not to be tolerated in MLS. Same as with any other team. September 27 will be a very dirty game due to all of the incident this year and I hope the refs keep it under control somehow.
If you Wiz fans don't like what LA fans are saying about the suspension, why the hell are you trolling on the G boards?
Re: The punta got off light Is it my imagination, or is this drivel beginning to sound like the voice of the teacher in those old Peanuts cartoons?
i'm not a ruiz apologist, i'll call him when he's faked something or deserves a card, but i've watched that video on mlsnet a few times now and that elbow seems very accidental. ruiz was jumping for the ball and despite what anyone here want to believe you do use your arms when you jump. now maybe he put his elbow up a bit higher than needed, you can speculate on that, but there is no way determine beyond reasonable doubt that he intended to harm talley. mls has interpreted his actions and based on the injury to talley imposed punishment. i only wish they had these interpretive skills when dan calichman and robin fraser were mugged.