RB... how much did you pay to the ref?

[LionNYC]

I've said this before and I'll say it again:

MLS referees aren't good enough to be part of a conspiracy like this.

Exactly, they're bad enough so their calls look like mistakes when it's actually just knowingly getting it wrong.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Exactly, they're bad enough so their calls look like mistakes when it's actually just knowingly getting it wrong.

I struggle to believe that. I just think they're really bad at their jobs. Actually what I think has happened is that MLS is growing faster than our refereeing can keep up, so the game has gotten too fast for them.

 

[Kenny]

There is a ongoing effort by the league office and PRO to suppress NYCFC from getting the CCL spot so Atlanta gets it. Last night, they showed their hand by the refereeing efforts.

You say this like it's a fact. Like you were in the room during such discussions. Our that you've seen documentation

 

[LionNYC]

You say this like it's a fact. Like you were in the room during such discussions. Our that you've seen documentation

 

[nyanken]

I struggle to believe that. I just think they're really bad at their jobs. Actually what I think has happened is that MLS is growing faster than our refereeing can keep up, so the game has gotten too fast for them.

Totally agree! Also if they can't adjust themselves to the new technology and are being stubborn with old ways. They just need to give up their job or get fired.

 

[Christopher Jee]

You say this like it's a fact. Like you were in the room during such discussions. Our that you've seen documentation

Kjbert rubbing off on him

 

[gbservis]

I've said this before and I'll say it again:

MLS referees aren't good enough to be part of a conspiracy like this.

But are they underpaid enough to get caught up in betting on games? Maybe not this one but I'm still convinced ref had money on last years Chicago game. Nothing else could explain some of the super egregious things that happened. Not just the calls but even how he frantically tried to manage the game for example the yellow to SJ super early in the second half for time wasting on a goal kick with no previous warnings and then the ref riding SJ for the entire rest of the game if he took more than 2 seconds to take a goal kick. That ref clearly needed Chicago to win bad.

This is all very tin-foil hat, I know, but it's happened in the NBA so it doesn't seem that out of the question that refs betting on games could explain some of the craziness.

 

[SoupInNYC]

But are they underpaid enough to get caught up in betting on games? Maybe not this one but I'm still convinced ref had money on last years Chicago game. Nothing else could explain some of the super egregious things that happened. Not just the calls but even how he frantically tried to manage the game for example the yellow to SJ super early in the second half for time wasting on a goal kick with no previous warnings and then the ref riding SJ for the entire rest of the game if he took more than 2 seconds to take a goal kick. That ref clearly needed Chicago to win bad.

This is all very tin-foil hat, I know, but it's happened in the NBA so it doesn't seem that out of the question that refs betting on games could explain some of the craziness.

Ehhh, I just think some of the refs in MLS have some ego issues and sometimes allow themselves to get caught up in the emotions of a game and allow that to effect how they call it (Chapman).

I think there are also many MLS refs that are too stubborn that once they make a decision, they will not budge from it, no matter what (see Chicago-Columbus match last night) and this is one of the biggest reasons why VAR is still so frustrating here (used so damn inconsistently).

 

[gbservis]

Ehhh, I just think some of the refs in MLS have some ego issues and sometimes allow themselves to get caught up in the emotions of a game and allow that to effect how they call it (Chapman).

I think there are also many MLS refs that are too stubborn that once they make a decision, they will not budge from it, no matter what (see Chicago-Columbus match last night) and this is one of the biggest reasons why VAR is still so frustrating here (used so damn inconsistently).

I agree, the conspiracy theories are more fun but I think your explanation is the most likely. Things like why didn't Lawrence get get a red for the throat punch likely come down to much simpler things like the ref being reluctant to hand out a third red card because at some point it becomes a story about them an how many cards they gave out in a game.

With regards to egos it would be interesting to see if there are any trends for some of these refs with regards to cards given to the home vs. the away team. Get a ref with a large enough ego and I suspect they will be more inclined to punish the home team. Big egos often fuel defiance, the more the crowd screams at them the more they will want to push back by going against the home team, consciously or subconsciously.

 

[SoupInNYC]

With regards to egos it would be interesting to see if there are any trends for some of these refs with regards to cards given to the home vs. the away team. Get a ref with a large enough ego and I suspect they will be more inclined to punish the home team. Big egos often fuel defiance, the more the crowd screams at them the more they will want to push back by going against the home team, consciously or subconsciously.

And with egos, I think a big portion of it too is use of VAR and willingness to have their own calls challenged/reversed and what types of calls.

I think some refs are more willing to go to VAR to review a play where it was clear that they didn't have a view on it, so it wasn't necessarily "their mistake" whereas they are not willing to go review a play which they made a specific call but may have gotten wrong for one reason or another.