Does MLS have a conspiracy against us?

Jose Luis Luviano · 05-09-2005, 08:57 AM

MLS is probably the North American pro sports league whose referees/umpires are the least likely to make a call that favors a big-market team.

(Don't that make all of you who watched Michael Jordan push off against Shannon Anderson feel better?)

Even if MLS likes the Galaxy, the Metros & the Chivas better, MLS refs are constantly auditioning for jobs in World Cup qualifiers, Mexico friendlies, Interliga games and the ultimate prize; the World Cup.

An MLS ref is not going to blow his chance for a month-long paid vacation in Germany by intentionally giving a game to Goats Lite.

AreliusII · 05-09-2005, 09:05 AM

The fact of the matter is that soccer has fewer rules than any other major sport. However, the referee can influence the game’s outcome more drastically than other sports.

clarette · 05-09-2005, 09:09 AM

It's not just us... as much as I hate to stick up for the Crapids, they got screwed over by the referee on the second penalty (which was like the third penalty call in 5 minutes) last night.

The first penalty against the Crapids... eehhhhh.

Second penalty, against LA, it was genuinely a penalty but if you want to get technical, Hartman is the last man and should get sent off for said foul.

Third penalty against the Crapids... WTF? Referee yellow cards Melamed, who was nowhere near the player who went down in the box, and it was all just the usual tussling that goes on during corner kicks anyway.

It was entertaining to watch as a neutral, but three penalty kicks within like five minutes, which essentially end up determining the outcome of the game?

bordelais7 · 05-09-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

(Don't that make all of you who watched Michael Jordan push off against Shannon Anderson feel better?)

Bryon Russell.

And yeah, the Rapids got screwed. But oh well. That kept us in 4th.

Stucki · 05-09-2005, 09:57 AM

So I get back to my second question. Why are MLS officials so bad? It has been 10 years since the league started. Shouldn't we have more good officials by now?

SoccerPrime · 05-10-2005, 05:31 AM

Not to change the subject, but considering how bad RSL played on Saturday, we were lucky to walk away from that match 1-0. The PK call not-withstanding.

clarette · 05-10-2005, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrstucki

So I get back to my second question. Why are MLS officials so bad? It has been 10 years since the league started. Shouldn't we have more good officials by now?

Every league has their share of sketchy referees: Graham Poll, Mike Riley, Anders Frisk, the list goes on and on...

Someone really ought to look into cloning Collina.

Deuce · 05-10-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarette

Every league has their share of sketchy referees: Graham Poll, Mike Riley, Anders Frisk, the list goes on and on...

Someone really ought to look into cloning Collina.

Collina is great!
It is too bad he has retired from International duty! 🙁

He only refs in Italy now!

Deuce · 05-10-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarette

Someone really ought to look into cloning Collina.

Will this do for a clone?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/bsp/hi/football/pdf/collina.pdf

There are more here.

Rooney
Beckham
Thiery Henry
Sven Joran Erikkson
Van Nistelrooy

clarette · 05-10-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

Will this do for a clone?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/bsp/hi/football/pdf/collina.pdf

There are more here.

Rooney
Beckham
Thiery Henry
Sven Joran Erikkson
Van Nistelrooy

Hehehehe... have you seen the "lookalikes" on Football365.com? They've had some hilarious Collina ones.