Mathis fined - is it the right discipline?

Wow. I don't know what else to say. All I know is that Alan Hopkins was right on the money. That should have been an automatic redcard. Too much deference given to "star" players.

 

Wow. I just saw the video. How was that not a red card?

 

There's no way in hell thats a yellow card.


That should've been a straight red. Disgraceful.

 

You're referring to this Saturday's game being Real's inaugural HOME game, right?

By right, Mathis should not only be out for the home opener, but an additional match as well.

 

Terrible, terrible foul.

Cletus better watch his back the next time they play LA.

 

They're protecting RSL's home opener.

I'm really guessing that Jair (two yellows but no ejection to Brandon Prideaux in 2003) Marrufo really has to be running out of second chances to referee in MLS.

But even though Marrufo didn't have the guts to red card Mathis, the MLS disciplinary committee should've banned him for two or three games.

 

Can somebody explain the MLS discipline system to me. I know how the EPL system works and I'd think that foul would get a 3 game ban after what should have been a straight red. Does the fact that the idiot ref only gave a yellow limit the punishment to a fine?

 

I'm torn. I know that a red card is the absolute correct decision but the Mathis apologist in me knows that the last thing Clint Mathis needs is to have his head screwed up even more by suspensions and benching.

It makes me sad that such talent is possessed by such an immature idiot.

 

Are fewer people going to show up for the opener because he's suspended? I don't think so. I say suspend him. Maybe it'll add to his bad-boy mystique in SLC and more people than otherwise would will show up later to his home opener.

 

I'll make a franchise opener exception. Hate to do it, but with Williams already down and Kamler/O'Brien struggling in the middle, RSL needs Mathis there. MLS needs Mathis there for RSL. Years from now it won't make a big difference, but it's important enough to chalk that one up to him just being Mathis. There's gotta be a limit sometime, but I'll let this ONE go.

 

Straight red, no doubt. I love the "I'm sorry" he puts up as the ref raises the yellow.

 

That didn't take long.

 

it was a classic instance of retaliation, following a play where mathis thought he got fouled but didn't get the call. it was pretty vicious and from behind. only a fine is letting him off very, very easy....

 

Can you say "Marufo" (sp?)

 

The non-Mathis apologist in me says, "Who the h*ll cares what Clint Mathis needs?" This kind of star coddling (read "Jordan Rules") where a star attacks a rookie, just encourges this kind of behavior. MLS is an enabler.

 

I know that this is going to get slammed, but I think Marrufo might have made the right decision. I'm far from a Mathis apologizer, and I know he has done some ridiculous things over the years, but if you look at it again, he never did bring his second leg through, apologized even before the card came out, and quickly moved to check on Ihemelu. I'm not saying it wasn't reatalliation, but it very easily could have just been a typically clumsy challenge by a forward. Flame away.

 

It's too bad he couldn't have done something similar to this and broken Donovan's ankle (Ponte, you're off the clock and off the hook).

 

Ban him from drinking Coca-Cola....that'll really hurt him where it counts...

 

I was just about to say the exact same thing. I don't think he meant to do it. As he was lunging for the ball, the ball took a weird bounce and went the opposite direction, away from Mathis; then the fouled player was there. Clint did not follow through with the second leg. I thought this when I saw it while watching the game happening live; I still think this while watching replays. Mathis had the opportunity to do some real damage with the follow-through leg but he didn't. I think it surprised him when the ball bounced the way it did. It was an unlucky event on Mathis' part. I don't think he had any malice at all. People are just real quick to say he's a head case.

 

May this comment come back to haunt you.

 

Liten, this like all PROFESSIONAL Sports is a ENTERTAINMENT venture.

So although it deserved a red card, why not let him appeal like the other sports which would only delay the punishment, he plays in the HOME opener (if i was a RSL ticket holder i would WANT TO SEE HIM PLAY).

Then he loses the appeal and serves it Away on the road.

 

So then why don't we just fix the game, so that RSL wins their home opener on a 90th minute goal? That'll keep the fans coming back...