Agoos: Red Bulls should have been awarded two PKs
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Aug 12, 2016
On Thursday, Jeff Agoos, MLS's vice president of competition, told MLSsoccer.com that the league office agreed with Marsch that referee
Hilario Grajeda missed the calls.
“We reviewed the New York-LA game and concluded that there had been two missed penalty kick calls late in the game,” said Agoos.
On the first play, Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe collided with Red Bulls rookie Alex Muyl in the penalty area in the 85th minute. On the second play five minutes later, Rowe tripped up
Argentine Gonzalo Veron.
SoccerTalk: The tedious Martyrdom of Marsch -- but he happens to be right
Agoos' comments
were a rare admission by the league office, as noted by MLSsoccer.com, that bad calls were made and they back the league's case for video review, which he said, “would have allowed for the
review of these non-calls.”
One decision to come out of the game was that Galaxy midfielder Jeff Larentowicz was suspended for one game for a challenge that left Red Bulls French defender Damien
Perrinelle with an ankle injury that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks.
FRIDAY UPDATE: MLS has received approval from the IFAB to conduct Video Assistant Referee experiments in select competitive matches during the remainder of the USL regular season.
I can't say that I disagree with Agoos and it's certainly safe to make the statement in hindsight with tape review. Let me ask this, why didn't the Center give the PK,s? Is it because he didn't have a clear view, is his vision faulty, doesn't know the Laws or he had a bias? Or could it be he wouldn't award a PK unless he was absolutely sure? The regular assault of referees abilities is disturbing to me. The, what's become common, players so often getting in the face of a Center when they feel victimized, has diminished my enjoyment of the game. In a karma like way our officiating is reflective of our players and coaches. Where is the commitment to be of assistance to referee development? Even our TV color guys, all of whom are former players are quick to point out referee shortcomings. You want to help referees start by acknowledging their role. Without them there is no game. Also, start leveling severe sanctions for simulation. Jeff, if you can watch tape on missing PK's in that game, how many times did you witness simulation? The acceptance and teaching of simulation is much different compared to my playing days. Players and managers couldn't stand teammates trying it. It was an honor thing.
I would not be surprised if you don't see that official not doing MLS games anymore.
Agoos I miss that guy. Remember him when he was in the wall on free kicks. Most players in my time protected themselves by hands over the jewels. Now they do all kinds of things to protect themselves. Like a hand touching the far shoulder so the forearm protects the players nose and face in the wall. We teach kids to do that now.
But Agoos I swear I remember just standing in the wall with no hand even covering the jewels :)