For those interested in statistics, page 115 of this document should be of interest: http://www.mlsnet.com/special/mlscup/2003/library/2003_pog_public.pdf Also, since it's only a few days away, any guesses on who gets the MLS Cup? My guess would be Prus.
Thanks. From a statistician's perspective, what you'd like to see in this data is a certain level of consistency. Obviously, every game is different, but in the long run things ought to average out. That's why it's troubling that Michael Kennedy gave out more than twice as many yellows as Kevin Stott (6.2 per game vs. 2.8). These guys are (IMO) both capable referees, but they seem to be using different standards for what is worthy of a caution. That's a problem. It's also interesting that Marrufo, Heron, and Valenzuela ended up calling quite a few more fouls than some other referees. This might suggest that their match control doesn't live up to the level of other MLS referees. I realize that referees have different personal styles. At the same time, consistency matters, and this data suggests that it can be improved.
Re: Re: MLS Referee Statistics Each team poses a different set of problems and each pairing of teams adds more variables. Are you saying that each team in MLS should have a similar number of fouls, too? Balderdash. Some more stats from the stats. FPG: 32.24 (4,836 in 150 games) YCPG: 3.66 (549) RCPG: 0.25 (37) PKPG: 0.39 (58)
Re: Re: Re: MLS Referee Statistics NSA, what are you trying to prove? You snipped my post after one sentence. In the second sentence, I addressed your concern, pointing out that "in the long run things ought to average out." I expect better from the Referee Forum.
Nothing to prove. QED binkie, I'm saying that it won't average out because each referee does not do the same teams and team pairings. Every game is different. Even a repeat pairing will be different because there are different stakes and conditions. Soccer would be quite boring if every game was the same.
Re: Re: MLS Referee Statistics That would be tragic if Kenny got the Center in MLS Cup. Prus wouldn't be a bad choice, though. He's done a decent job every time I've seen him.
Alex might get it but the grapevine also says he is done after this year although he is on the National camp list for 2004.
MLS CUP Ref Where has Kevin Terry been? He was my initial guess although he did the Cup last year. I would imagine they would exhaust all FIFAs before using a National.....Maybe Valenzuela? He has yet to do the Final. Or maybe Brian Hall?
I think your right but I don't think Ricardo or Brian will do the final (Brian did the Eastern champ game and Ricardo is from North Cal like the Quakes) I think it will either be Kevin Terry (God no!) or Ali Saheli (Yes!) but I'd take Kevin Stott over anybody. But I know two things, that it will a FIFA ref and won't be female, other than that anythings possible.
Last time I saw him do a game was the DC-Columbus game about a month back. Not consistent at all. Very poor communication with the ARs and overall a very bad game.
Re: MLS CUP Ref Being a FIFA has nothing to do with it. Terry Vaughn's name is also rumoured to be a potential FIFA badge this year. But he has already done the WUSA final. Alex was aslo in the FIFA badge mix and the MLS teams like him.
Amen. I was at that game, and I just had to throw up my hands and say "I don't know what the hell he's doing out there".
Stott's unavailable as he's out of the country for FIFA assignments. The other seems pretty accurate.
Stott had a semi anyway. They won't assign him the final too. If Hall is the referee, I thought he had a u-23 qualifier as well.
That's the main reason I guessed Prus. If Hall is available, his appointment makes sense. He's become much more respected in the league over the past year, and he was never 'rewarded' last year for his performance at the World Cup. Stott is definitely unavailble, not only because he had a semi, but he will be heading off soon to the World Youth Cup in the UAE right after his U23 qualifier.
Re: Re: MLS CUP Ref I disagree. We are argueably showcasing our nation's top teams, therefore we must also show our top referees. You are absolutely correct that Vaughn and Prus are two very good referees, (and I would guess Terry gets a white badge within the next year and a half) but they are not yet as proven as someone who has worked ont he national scene. The exception to this of course was Tambo, but he is in his own class. Saheli hasn't had a great season, Stott is going to a very prestigous tournament (and did a semi), Kennedy or Terry have not worked the post season, and Valenzuela is from Cal-North. Hall seems like the one. Noel Kenny would be an excellent fourth official, but I think they will put an international referee in the middle.
From MLSnet: Today’s referee is Brian Hall. This is his second MLS Cup Final; he also ran the center in the 1997 final (D.C. United 2, Colorado Rapids 1, at RFK Stadium). He’s the second referee to preside over two MLS Cups (Kevin Terry, 1998 and 2002). Hall was also the fourth official in the 1999 final. Craig Lowry is running the line in his third MLS Cup final, also officiating in the 1999 final at Foxboro Stadium (D.C. United 2, Los Angeles Galaxy 0) and the 2000 match won by Kansas City Wizards at RFK Stadium. He’s the first assistant referee – and first field official – to participate in three MLS Cup Finals. Rob Fereday is serving as a linesman in his first MLS Cup.
FYI, Brian Hall lives about 10 minutes away from San Jose. I don't think that has any impact on the referee selection...