Wouldn’t it be great if more MLS officials did this?
Scratch that … more officials around the world, not just in Major League Soccer – where we regularly batter the poor officials – need to take a second, have a word with their assistants, maybe even take a quick sip of water if needed, and then make doggone sure they get the big decisions right.
Not on every throw-in or on a routine foul in the midfield, obviously. But in the potentially game-changing choices like red cards or penalty kicks, does it really hurt to get another voice, perhaps one with a different (and perhaps better) angle of view?
In the first half of Sunday’s Eastern Conference battle between hosts Sporting Kansas City and Houston, young referee Drew Fischer pointed to the penalty spot for Houston.
(MORE: Lots of U.S. representation on the Sporting Park field)
Fischer, one of the league’s least experienced officials, with just 12 previous matches in the middle, had adjudged that Kansas City midfielder Oriol Rosell had fouled U.S. international Brad Davis inside the home team’s 18. It certainly looked like the Spanish midfielder had won the ball cleanly as Davis prepared to shoot from about 16 yards.
Fischer needing convincing by a group of Sporting Kansas City players – we would ask again about the league’s preseason mandate against these “mass confrontation” situations, but we’ll stay on point here – to go consult with his assistant.
But he did finally do so. And then Fischer bravely reversed his decision.
No penalty kick – the correct call.
Again, more referees should do this. It really about getting the decision correct, however that needs to be done.
Here’s the play in question:
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