Welcome back to The Ref Report. This week we will be trying something a little different. This week MLS gave us rivalry week. I mentioned in an earlier report that we might learn a few things from who got what appointment this week, and I believe we did. So while I will cover the basics of each match, the general point will be assessing what each assignment says about how MLS and Peter Walton sees each ref.
Mark Geiger: New York Redbulls v DC United:
NY: 12 fouls. Cahill, Juninho, Espindola Yellow Cards
DC: 7 fouls.
Contentious Decisions: Goal line decision. Did the ball cross the line? Geiger didn't give it, Hamid claims it didn't cross the line, and an NBC anchor behind the goal (not on the goal line) claimed the ball did not get over the line from his perspective.
Overall Performance: Consistent quality performance we have come to expect from Geiger.
NY v DC is a matchup that can get heated. The match was on the big network NBC, not NBC Sports Network. Though it may not have been the most glamourous assignment in theory, being on the big network made it the marque job to get. I've said many times that if the US is to have a ref take charge in a FIFA World Cup Final during my lifetime, Geiger would be that man. It looks like MLS may agree.
Silviu Petrescu: Sporting Kansas City v Chicago Fire:
KC: 14 fouls. Sinovic, Rosell Yellow Cards
Chicago: 20 fouls. Paladini, Segares, Santos, Rolfe Yellow Cards
Contentious Decisions: None of major note.
Overall Performance: A more heated match than many would have predicted, Petrescu did a fair job. Nothing great, nothing horrible. Sometimes he felt weak, others strong. Overall it was average.
KC v Chicago is not the most heated rivalry for the players or the fans, and not anywhere close to the most wanted assignment. Interesting job to be given to the reigning ref of the year. Perhaps MLS doesn't rate him as highly as that award would suggest.
Baldomero Toledo: Montreal Impact v Toronto FC:
MTL: 13 fouls. Bernier, Iapichino Yellow Cards
TFC: 18 fouls. Hall, Eckersley Yellow Cards
Contentious Decisions: Delay on a clear penalty, Eckersley "foul" which led to yellow for dissent.
Overall Performance: Average to slightly below average. For a few years I have proclaimed Toledo as the best ref in MLS, but he seemed to lose control a few times and his delay on a clear penalty, waiting for a second foul in the box to give the penalty seemed odd and rather weak. The non foul that was called on Eckersley led to his reaction which forced a card from Toledo. Not his best job.
MTL v TFC is a good job to get. Good crowd, heated rivals, that will be getting hotter as each year passes. Toledo didn't do himself any favors with his performance, but getting this assignment shows MLS still believes in him.
Carlos Rivero: Philadelphia Union V New England Revolution:
Philly: 13 fouls. Okugo, Parke Yellow Cards
NE: 15 fouls. Soares, Shuttleworth Yellow Cards
Contentious Decisions: None of major note.
Overall Performance: Average. Rivero kept the action moving, made few mistakes, and didn't let anything get out of control.
Philly v NE is a moderately heated rivalry, but mainly a contest between two "who's that" clubs. Rivero is clearly rated since he got a job on the big rivalry week, but his position in a minor matchup shows that MLS sees him more for the future than a work horse all star for today.
Jorge Gonzalez: Columbus Crew V San Jose Earthquakes:
Columbus: 11 fouls.
SJ: 13 fouls. Bernandez Yellow Card
Contentious Decisions: None of major note, but in a hard fought clash, it was interesting that more fouls and more cards weren't given.
Overall Performance: Average. Not exactly a real rival match. Not exactly heated. Both teams played their typical styles, and SJ was tough as usual. Gonzalez didn't stand out in any bad ways, but he didn't stand out in a horrible way either.
Crew V SJ wasn't a real rival match and wasn't a conference clash. It was possibly the weakest match of rivalry week and wasn't a top job. Gonzalez isn't a top ref, and MLS seems to know it.
David Gantar: Real Salt Lake V Colorado Rapids:
RSL: 9 fouls. Watson-Siriboe Yellow Card
Colorado: 10 fouls. Harris, Thomas Yellow Cards
Contentious Decisions: None of major note, but there was some very rough play that could have been taken charge of better.
Overall Performance: Average to below average. While Gantar made no major mistakes, he didn't add the strength the match may have needed. When Harris kicked Palmer in the face it could have been more than a yellow. When Shuler hip checked Harris it could have also been a card. Player safety should be taken seriously.
RSL v Colorado is a good rivalry in many ways and it is a quality match to be given. MLS showed faith in Gantar with this selection, and while he did not let them down, he also didn't step up to the plate. It will be interesting to see what future selections he gets.
Kevin Stott: Seattle Sounders FC v Portland Timbers:
SS: 19 fouls. Alonso, Hurtado, Johnson Yellow Cards
Timbers: 18 fouls. Baptiste, Johnson Yellow Cards
Contentious Decisions: None of major note in a hard fought battle.
Overall Performance: Average. In a heated battle in front of a large crowd Stott was strong as usual and was not overwhelmed by the moment.
Seattle v Portland was one of the biggest matches of the week. I predicted in an earlier Report that Stott would get one of the bigger matches and was right. While Stott may not be the best ref in MLS, he is consistent and strong. MLS knows Stott can handle the big matches, and this bodes well for his future.
Jair Marrufo: FC Dallas V Houston Dynamo:
FCD: 9 fouls. Cooper Yellow Card
Houston: 15 fouls. Sarkodie Yellow Card
Contentious Decisions: Missed handball on the Cooper winner.
Overall Performance: Average. While Marrufo didn't shine or disgust, the error in the final moments reduced his overall performance.
The Texas Derby while being non conference is still a somewhat heated rivalry. Marrufo is a well respected ref and this assignment shows that. While he isn't the best of the best, he is top 10. The missed Cooper call will not distract MLS from his usual quality, it may add to the perception that he isn't a big time final kind of guy.
Ricardo Salazar: Los Angeles Galaxy V Chivas USA:
LA: 8 fouls. Franklin, Sarvas, Keane Yellow Cards
Chivas: 22 fouls. Iraheta Yellow Card, Velazquez Red Card
Contentious Decisions: The Velazquez red card, and lack of many more cards for Chivas based on the massive disparity in fouls.
Overall Performance: Average to slightly above average. The Velazquez yellow turned red was correct based on the reaction from the player. Overall it was a quality performance, though I never understand when a ref blows for foul after foul but doesn't back it up with the strength of a card.
The California Classico was the marque match of Sunday and Salazar was a worthy choice. Salazar is known for his consistency and level head and MLS surely sees him as a top official. I personally don't rate him as top 5, but I believe MLS does.
Overall it was a good week for MLS refs with few major errors, but few standout performances. I find it interesting that Chris Penso wasn't given a top clash since he is one of the strongest refs in the league. If he isn't given a top clash next week I will start to wonder if he is carrying an injury. The correct (in my opinion) call on the possible Redbulls goal and the Cooper handball will be talking points, but when you consider it is rivalry week with some of the most heated match-ups in the league, the overall performance of the men with the whistle was admirable.
I expect the refs we saw the past weekend will be given a break or given 4th official jobs this weekend which will make this weekends clashes interesting. Some refs rise when given the chance, others shrink. Who has a good match on the "off week" after the rivalry clashes could see their stock rise above the likes of Gonzalez, Rivero, and possibly Gantar when other big chance clashes come up.
Thank you for reading, and until next time, this was the Ref Report.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Opening Weekend 3-4-13
For those of you new to the Ref Report, welcome. For those of you familiar with us, welcome back. The point of the report is to keep tabs on the refs in MLS and spread the word as to which are the quality refs, and which ones leave something to be desired. Comments are always appreciated, enjoy.
Baldomero Toledo: Houston Dynamo v DC United
Contentious Decisions: Woolard Yellow, Korb penalty, Pontius handball, Houston corner, Barnes penalty shout.
Discipline: Houston: 16 fouls. DC: Woolard Yellow, Korb Yellow, 16 fouls.
Overall Performance: Below Average. It was a rather dodgy performance for one of the best refs in all of CONCACAF. It started with the Woolard yellow. The right call in the end as the keeper was coming out and there was no sure fire shot at goal. The penalty on Korb when he pulled down Clark outside the box was soon to follow. No matter what position the ref was in, it had to be clear the foul occurred outside the box. Yes it was close, but it was a blown call for sure. Hamid saved the PK, saving Toledo some blushes, but DC has a right to be upset. If the foul had been committed in the box, it should have been a red in my opinion. So Toledo again made a curious decision. Then came a handball by Pontius which neither Toledo or his assistants saw. In the second half Houston was given a corner when the ball clearly went out on Houston's Garcia, again a blown call by Toledo and his assistant. Finally came a penalty shout for Houston when Riley tugged Barnes to the ground. In the end Toledo made the right call here. While there was contact, Barnes got the shot off. It would have been very harsh to give a penalty when it had little impact on Barnes attempt.
Kevin Stott: LA Galaxy v Chicago Fire
Contentious Decisions: None of real note.
Discipline: LA: 13 fouls. Chicago: 14 fouls.
Overall Performance: Average. While Stott didn't blow any major calls, he did break up the flow of play quite often with foul calls when play could have resumed and advantage could have been played. Based on match day one results, MLS seems to be averaging a few extra fouls per match this season, meaning a stricter interpretation of the laws may be in effect. Or, the early season form of the players could be still a little off, making a few more rash challenges. Either way, Stott likes to be the man in charge, and it appears this season will be no different, but the lack of cards says he realized the match was played in a good spirit and didn't find it necessary to throw out cards to calm a match down that wasn't hot.
Jair Marrufo: Portland Timbers v New York Redbulls
Contentious Decisions: Handball shout against Olave, penalty shout Baptiste.
Discipline: Portland: 8 fouls. NY: 17 fouls.
Overall Performance: Average at best. I've never been a fan of a ref blowing up for foul after foul after foul, in particular for the road team, without handing out at least one card to stem the tide or to discipline the club. 17 fouls without a card is pushing the limit for me. On the bright side, he got the call on Olave correct, it hit his rib cage and not his hand. The penalty shout when Baptiste was clearly pulled down inside the box was a massive blunder. There was no way Marrufo or his assistant didn't see the foul. It very well could have cost Portland the match.
As we head toward MLS rivalry week (the closest MLS can get to a derby week) it will be very interesting to see what refs get what matches. Opening weekend Mark Geiger took Philadelphia v Sporting Kansas City and reigning MLS Ref of the Year Silviu Petrescu took Seattle Sounders FC v Montreal Impact. The refs to watch will be Mark Geiger, Baldomero Toledo, Silviu Petrescu, Chris Penso, Jair Marrufo, and Kevin Stott. Based on what matches they are given we will know how MLS rates them. For my money, Geiger and Penso are the refs best equipped for the heated rivalries. We shall see if MLS agrees.
Until next time, that was the Ref Report.
Baldomero Toledo: Houston Dynamo v DC United
Contentious Decisions: Woolard Yellow, Korb penalty, Pontius handball, Houston corner, Barnes penalty shout.
Discipline: Houston: 16 fouls. DC: Woolard Yellow, Korb Yellow, 16 fouls.
Overall Performance: Below Average. It was a rather dodgy performance for one of the best refs in all of CONCACAF. It started with the Woolard yellow. The right call in the end as the keeper was coming out and there was no sure fire shot at goal. The penalty on Korb when he pulled down Clark outside the box was soon to follow. No matter what position the ref was in, it had to be clear the foul occurred outside the box. Yes it was close, but it was a blown call for sure. Hamid saved the PK, saving Toledo some blushes, but DC has a right to be upset. If the foul had been committed in the box, it should have been a red in my opinion. So Toledo again made a curious decision. Then came a handball by Pontius which neither Toledo or his assistants saw. In the second half Houston was given a corner when the ball clearly went out on Houston's Garcia, again a blown call by Toledo and his assistant. Finally came a penalty shout for Houston when Riley tugged Barnes to the ground. In the end Toledo made the right call here. While there was contact, Barnes got the shot off. It would have been very harsh to give a penalty when it had little impact on Barnes attempt.
Kevin Stott: LA Galaxy v Chicago Fire
Contentious Decisions: None of real note.
Discipline: LA: 13 fouls. Chicago: 14 fouls.
Overall Performance: Average. While Stott didn't blow any major calls, he did break up the flow of play quite often with foul calls when play could have resumed and advantage could have been played. Based on match day one results, MLS seems to be averaging a few extra fouls per match this season, meaning a stricter interpretation of the laws may be in effect. Or, the early season form of the players could be still a little off, making a few more rash challenges. Either way, Stott likes to be the man in charge, and it appears this season will be no different, but the lack of cards says he realized the match was played in a good spirit and didn't find it necessary to throw out cards to calm a match down that wasn't hot.
Jair Marrufo: Portland Timbers v New York Redbulls
Contentious Decisions: Handball shout against Olave, penalty shout Baptiste.
Discipline: Portland: 8 fouls. NY: 17 fouls.
Overall Performance: Average at best. I've never been a fan of a ref blowing up for foul after foul after foul, in particular for the road team, without handing out at least one card to stem the tide or to discipline the club. 17 fouls without a card is pushing the limit for me. On the bright side, he got the call on Olave correct, it hit his rib cage and not his hand. The penalty shout when Baptiste was clearly pulled down inside the box was a massive blunder. There was no way Marrufo or his assistant didn't see the foul. It very well could have cost Portland the match.
As we head toward MLS rivalry week (the closest MLS can get to a derby week) it will be very interesting to see what refs get what matches. Opening weekend Mark Geiger took Philadelphia v Sporting Kansas City and reigning MLS Ref of the Year Silviu Petrescu took Seattle Sounders FC v Montreal Impact. The refs to watch will be Mark Geiger, Baldomero Toledo, Silviu Petrescu, Chris Penso, Jair Marrufo, and Kevin Stott. Based on what matches they are given we will know how MLS rates them. For my money, Geiger and Penso are the refs best equipped for the heated rivalries. We shall see if MLS agrees.
Until next time, that was the Ref Report.
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