Weird thing is, though, that I don't recall that game as being particularly poorly called, just the PK controversy (and the fact that Kenny bought a dive to award it, to be honest). There have been plenty of games in MLS that have been poorly called from start to finish yet those refs don't make a game-breaking decision and therefore continue to be in the league.
I don't remember the rest of the match being more or less poorly officiated than other MLS games. However, the retaking of the penalty kick was apparently enough to get a failing grade. It was a situation where the referee, rather than the players, decided the game...so maybe a failing grade is appropriate.
But refs who can't take control of an overly physical match, fall for dives, are unwilling to card persistent infringement, etc. are deciding the game by their actions just as much, and they continue to get work. That's every bit as bad as blowing a call in the late stages of a game. Kenny is no worse than most every ref in this league. Then gain, refs in every league in every sport suck...
I often wonder that myself... I know that they're not paid much, but it seems strange that the US's top league can't draw at least a few good refs.
So how long before he's out this season? I am also a bit surprised that he only needed 2 matches to get satisfactory results in. I don't really know that much about what the rules are for MLS to take back a ref, but to me it doesn't seem like its asking too much to prove yourself. Someone could get lucky for those two matches, or they could be cake matches no?
True, but at least in those countries' leagues there are at least a few decent refs who know how to call a game, or, when necessary, take control of one before it gets out of hand (as you allude to in an above post...).
If Noel Kenny is 666, number of the beast, then Brian Hall is at least 667, or neighbor of the beast...