Thirty-two weeks and 225 league games later, the MLS season is complete and the top eight teams have been seeded for the playoffs. Over the last weekend, match officials had solid performances that allowed the teams to decide their fate while still ensuring the spirit of the Laws of the Game was observed.
Four of U.S. Soccer’s referees have provided insight into their pre-game rituals, mechanics and approach. Kevin Stott as well as U.S. Soccer full time referees Ricardo Salazar, Baldomero Toledo and Terry Vaughn all provide a synopsis of their approach to the “big game” and the post-season.
This “Week In Review” will examine two critical offside decisions from the same match (Dallas at San Jose) and show how concentration and utilization of the approach U.S. Soccer has been recommending to assistant referees (ARs) can play a significant role in ensuring correct game-deciding decisions are the topic of the day.
England will complain to FIFA about the flares that were thrown onto the field during its 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Ukraine. Ukraine fans hurled several lit flares onto the field soon after kickoff Saturday and also after Serhiy Nazarenko’s 29th minute goal.
A couple of months back, when he was making plans for October, Matthew Breeze was faced with an unusual dilemma. Would he tackle the NSW Bar practice course, or officiate at the under-17 Soccer World Cup in Nigeria?
Statistics from Week 29 provide insight into the competitive nature of the hunt to be one of the final eight teams that qualify for the post season. Foul count continues to be well managed by officials, as only 21.43 fouls were whistled over seven games consistent with the season-to-date average.
Alan Wiley might look as if he carries a few pounds more than other officials but the pre-season fitness tests he is subjected to are the same as any referee. The tests establish speed and stamina. Wiley would have had to complete six 40m sprints in 6.2 seconds each, with 90 seconds recovery time in between.
D.C. United goalkeeper Josh Wicks, who was ejected from the U.S. Open Cup final last month for misconduct, has been suspended an additional four tournament games (five total) by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The Football Association have written to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to ask him to explain his comments about referee Alan Wiley. Ferguson claimed the 49-year-old official was unfit after taking charge of his side’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.
A referee in a Midlands Division Two Soccer League A was assaulted during a championship match between favourites Hardbody and Clemkwa Gweru United at Gweru Sports Club. Thomas Kusosa was assaulted soon after awarding Hardbody a penalty towards the end of the match with United leading 1-0.