MatchTracker - Helping WPS or Not

By and large, I'd much rather have matchtracker than not have it. In absence of coverage, that and twitter are the only two real sources of information for us. However, I agree that the mistakes, and in this instance not having the correct final score, are appalling at times. We have become used to some of the minor errors like wrong formations or players in incorrrect positions. But for goodness sakes, get the final score up there correctly.

I also noticed, going to both the Atlanta Beat website and the WPS website, that they showed the game in progress on their scoreboards in the 14th minute at 0-0. This was at 10:30 eastern time, well after the game had finished. Although I don't see how, are the two problems related by chance?

 

Yes that is what I saw too. Ridiculous. I dont think its MatchTracker, but the human who is paid to enter the data.

 

First I will say that it is absolutely better than nothing. I am not trying to be a complainer, just pointing out some of the issues I am having as a wps fan. Though I think this week's score glitch was abnormal, there are obviously regular problems with features like lineup displays, badly recorded stats, and absent commentary for some games. For me, if there is no commentary at all, why even bother opening Matchtracker, just check the score/stats after the game.

This is why I really appreciate Chicago's frequent, informative tweets. Some teams barely do this during the game (ahem, Boston and your two tweets per half...). I am interested in things like which team is keeping better possession, what sort of formation they are using and does it change during the game, who is getting scoring opportunities, which players are performing/defending well, is Tony looking irate on the sideline, etc.

I suppose there really just aren't enough employees to do this, but even the players have complained about Matchtracker. What do other sports leagues use? (besides webcasts...)

 

Perhaps matchtracker only goes for 90 mins and then stops??

Not to excuse MT as got to get the final score right, still it is better than nothing and I always fire it up for every game.

How many WPS games go beyond 90 mins...don't recollect seeing any games live that have been extended?

 

I can only think of one soccer match I've ever watched where the referee blew the whistle right at the end of regulation. There's almost always a couple of minutes of time added on at the end.

 

USWNT-Mexico in Charleston Jan 2002 in the hurricane with the score 7-0. As good a time as any to forget about stoppage time.

 

Would have sucked relying on it for USA-Algeria then. US fans would have seen a 0-0 final and needlessly jumped off of bridges.

 

Yes, the one I was thinking of had the Freedom Reserves ahead 8-0 on a 90-degree day. Blowing the whistle was a mercy on all concerned.