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Would DRs be more valuable than DPs? |
Just seven minutes into the game, New England’s Jeff Larentowicz was shown a red card for his first tackle of the game. A tackle, which maybe merited a free kick and at worst a yellow card. Similar tackles, particularly at that stage of a game have merited a stern talking to for the player. This night however, the decision was to issue a red card. Seven minutes in. Game Over! The remaining 83 minutes of a Primetime engagement on national television, rendered obsolete by a questionable dismissal.
Last Saturday, as part of the Fox Soccer Channel’s First Kick doubleheader, David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy visited the Colorado Rapids in Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. This game again contained all the ingredients that Major League Soccer would like to showcase: A premier player in a soccer specific stadium and a meeting of two of the Western conference’s strongest lineups.
This was a competitive game until the 60th minute when LA defender Abel Xavier was penalized for what looked like a legal challenge in the penalty area. The allegedly fouled Rapids player did not even appeal for a penalty. However, a penalty was awarded and Cristian Gomez converted. The Rapids took a two-goal lead and the contest was over with 30 minutes to play.
It is important to understand that these two incidents happened against a backdrop of a heightened sensitivity to tackling in general across the entire global soccer community. This sensitivity is no doubt brought on by the recent horrific injury suffered by Arsenal’s Eduardo following a late, studs up challenge from Birmingham’s Martin Edwards, which ended the young striker’s season and perhaps his career.
Similar challenges recently in the Premiership have also been greeted with Red cards, even though the impact on the player was less severe. This is arguably a natural reaction to an awful situation. However, referees in the Premiership, and all the tope leagues in the world have also used common sense and restraint, weighing all the factors of the game before producing red cards. It seems that the same restraint and weighing of the situation may not be applied in Major League Soccer. Our referees are obviously not as experienced as those from the major leagues in the world. Indeed, there are only four full time officials operating in the United States.
This is one of the major problems facing Major League Soccer today. How do we get the level of officiating to the levels found in the world’s top leagues? How do we avoid situations where high profile, showcase games are decided by inexperienced and arguably naïve decisions? Of course, there are still game mistakes made in the biggest leagues in the world, but I would argue that they are fewer and less egregious.
So what is the answer? DESIGNATED REFEREES. Perhaps, instead of continuing the search for so called designated players (DP’s), Major League Soccer should recruit some designated referees, (DR’s). As much as Beckham, Blanco, Angel and the designated players have improved the standard among the players on the field, surely top class international referees could have the same effect on the officials of MLS.
You may be asking where do we find these elite referees and how do we convince them to come over here? Here’s the beautiful part. Two of the most successful and well-respected referees in European Football are at home with their feet up! Pierluigi Collina and Anders Frisk.
Mr. Collina was one of the most well respected referees in the world game until the rules of Italian football forced his early retirement. If you were to ask the opinion of many of the top players in Europe, I would be willing to bet that Collina would be very close to the top of the list of their favorite referees. Vastly experienced, Collina’s resume includes Champions League Finals and the biggest game of all, the World Cup final. At just 48 years of age, Collina could referee in this league for several years.
Second on the list is Anders Frisk. Having been hit with a coin thrown from the crowd during a high profile game, Frisk walked away from top-flight football in Europe and into retirement. At just 45, Frisk also has quality years ahead of him. Although not quite as prolific as Collina, Frisk’s resume includes many Champion’s League games, a Confederations Cup Final and the crowning moment of his career, the Euro 2000 Championship game.
There are currently four full time professional referees in U.S. Soccer, charged with enhancing high-level performance for soccer’s elite referees. Who better to lead this initiative than two of world soccer’s most decorated and respected referees? Collina and Frisk could spearhead the refereeing program in this league for years to come, bringing with them the credibility and respect their resumes demand.
It took great expense to bring the designated players here. I don’t know what it would cost, but I am willing to bet that a Designated Referee rule would be significantly easier on the pockets of MLS. I do not wish to speak for Messer’s Collina and Frisk, but I do not think they will be requiring $250 million to lead the refereeing revolution in the US.
DR’s will not be as sexy as DP’s and I do not foresee Mr. Collina in an underwear advertizement, but their impact could be every bit as valuable in building the credibility of this league as that of David Beckham!
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