Comments on: Colorado Over LA – Yeah, It Was That Bad

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:09:28 +0000

I’ll start by merely pointing out I am not Max Bretos; I’m not sure Allen’s comment opens the possibility for conflation, but wanted to clarify that.

That said, Allen makes a good point. I have nothing but respect for how Cummings handled himself; of all my pet peeves in soccer – and I do mean the little things here – few rank higher than the way players dramatically draw attention to fouls, whether by falling, flopping, waving their arms like twits, etc. As far as I’m concerned, if you can keep going, keep frankin’ going: never count on ref to make a call. When they do the “raise the hand” thing for offside, that really drives me batty.

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:15:52 +0000

How many times has Bretos made comments about the problems of players diving in the box or at least going down too easily? And now when a player gets taken down and instead of milking it, gets backs up and plays Bretos thinks it shouldn’t be a PK? Seriously, what’s next? Complaining about how we need more cheap hookers and then complaining about all the STDs we’re getting?

By: Jeff Bull

Jeff Bull — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:39:04 +0000

Joey: I thought of a more constructive answer to your criticism. Again, I’d say you’re correct by the letter of the law (though there’s a large-ish bunch of people who think the ref just blew it; see the comments as well), but I’d think of the situation in this light: I’d say that tackle gets called about, oh, 50% of the time. This fell on the “right” side of that 50% – at least from one point of view (happens to be mine).

But that 50% is what I mean by soft. When your bunch doesn’t get the call, it shouldn’t be all that shocking.

By: Jeff Bull

Jeff Bull — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:16:56 +0000

Au contraire, Joey. If he was flopping on the ground, I would have mocked him for making a meal of a light touch.

As to your overarching point, put it this way: I respect the letter of the law, but place an equal value on interpretation. By that I mean I don’t think one improves any game by rigid adherence to most of the rules. Watch any game and you’ll see something like a few score instances of situations in which a foul can be called and it is not. This might be done for any number of reasons, but, like anyone, I only appreciate when it is done well.

That said, what you’re talking about is certainly valid…I just disagree with you, something that, remarkably, doesn’t depend on “unintelligence,” but different reactions to the same event. Besides, as other comments and the overall piece point out, the PK was never going to determine the outcome.

By: Joey

Joey — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:47:34 +0000

People keep referencing a “soft” penalty kick that went against LA. Perhaps someone could refer me to the rule where it states that a PK is determined by the reaction of the victim. Regardless of the fact that Cummings was able to bounce up (good reflexes), Xavier’s tackle was CLEARLY from behind, it CLEARLY swept out Cummings legs, and it didn’t even strike the ball. If Cummings acted like a typical flopping forward (see: Carlos Ruiz) and just stayed down after Xavier’s tackle, nobody would be bitching right now. The assorted unintelligent comments about the PK seem more directed to Cummings’ reflexes in popping up rather than the fact that Xavier’s tackle was illegal in the first place.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:34:51 +0000

agreed. wait til kc before making judgements. la was pathetic. even if that shitty call against xavier didn’t go through, you guys would’ve still beaten them. that was some painful shit to watch.

By: gimmi

gimmi — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:18:45 +0000

where is my sexy football?

- Ruud Gullit