LA Galaxy Claim Referee Deliberately Didn’t Card Seattle Sounders’ Defense
The accumulated yellow card rule can make or break a series.
In the New England Revolution match against the New York Red Bulls, the Red Bulls will suffer the consequence of such a rule. The Red Bulls have a lot to be thankful for in Bradley Wright-Phillips, who was the MLS leading goal scorer this season.
Unfortunately, during Sunday’s match Wright-Phillips was given two yellow cards, which means he is forced to sit out the second leg of the series. This makes everything a lot harder for the Red Bulls, but in Wright-Phillips’ defense, the call was questionable and the rules regarding obstruction are fuzzy.
What was less questionable was the card the Seattle Sounders‘ defense should have received on some physical challenges against the Los Angeles Galaxy‘s Alan Gordon. Gordon was a late substitution into the match, but in the few minutes he was on the pitch, he received a few good shoves that were deemed to be card worthy by some sportscasters and fans.
LA Galaxy players did not let this incident pass by and have even claimed that the referee said that he was not giving the second yellow because he wanted the best players playing the second leg. This claim was denied by the Professional Referee Organization. PRO Referees claim that their referee simply said that the call was not deserving of a yellow card.
Depending on who you choose to believe, it can be either borderline-match fixing accusation or just a frustrated club. However, seeing how LA Galaxy were one of the finalists for the XBox Team Fair Play Award, it seems unlikely that they would make up such an accusation just to stir the pot. There may never be proof for either side, but there may be consequences one way or another.
Now, Galaxy will have a bit more fuel for next week’s match, because this incident will just be another hurdle to get to the final. Galaxy has the ability to beat the Sounders at home, even with this “extra” player on the pitch, and it deemed to be a good match.
Jackee Arce is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @knackeredwriter, like her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
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