What They're Saying
- by Soccer America , Nov 20, 2012
"All Keane was looking to do was to maybe draw a penalty, and try to hit it into his hand. He's a clever player and he did well."
-- Seattle coach Sigi Schmid
on the handball call on Seattle's Adam Johansson off a cross from the Los Angeles Galaxy's Robbie Keane that led to a penalty-kick goal, ruining the Sounders' comeback attempt in the Western
Conference final series. (Seattle Times)
"It wasn't calculated. You can't try to get a penalty in
that situation. I was just trying to get the ball across and the referee gave a penalty."
-- Robbie Keane. (MLSSoccer.com)
a good player does the best he can to win the game...at the same time, the good player does his best to not play sloppy with his hands,especially in the pk box...the ball would have been a cross had the hand not been in the way, obstructing the cross....way it goes...tuff break for Seattle, they fought a valient game...a good effort, just not their day...I thought the Sounders were the better team that night...but, the better team does not always win....
Of course he was trying to draw a penalty, and he did. My high school players have the smarts to tuck their arms behind their backs in that same situation. The problem with Seattle is the lack of a solid set of defenders. Sigi can not, or will not address this glaring weakness.
Cummon Bill Anderson, tucking your arms behind your back is a good idea when you have time, and are essentially stationary. In motion arms are part of the overall balance mechanism, as they were in this case. Sure it often gets called, but like so many PKs it just ruins the game. Arms overhead are a different matter, but when you are moving, arms out IS a natural position, and at very short range where there is no possibility of adjusting to meet flight of ball, cannot possibly be intentional and should not be called. IMHO