I want to start off by saying I think that the US has the most potential of any nation in the world to become a soccer powerhouse. We just need to continue to grow as a soccer culture. When I write about these things it’s not to bash but to bring about discussions on topics that I think can improve….having said that:
What would happen if we brought a second division top European league team to come and play in MLS? Would they win the league? I don’t think they would. Not because they aren’t good enough, but because they wouldn’t be used to the referees. Our refs allow way too much to go, the technical players and teams get punished for it.
I know that refs get a bad rep everywhere. The problem here is that clear-cut fouls in the world’s game are simply not called in our country. After experiencing it first hand the difference I can tell you is that in Europe you can not touch the other players in the back on any stoppage of play, not even a throw in.. it’s an automatic call. If you go up for a header and you lead or push-off.. it’s a foul. If you clip a heal or tackle from behind.. it’s a foul. They are mainly fouls because they can be dangerous and players get hurt. There is nothing wrong with a strong challenge, one that may be shoulder to shoulder or through the ball but it’s the tackling from behind and clipping that keep players out for weeks at a time with ankle, knee, and hip injuries. The other thing is if you use curse word is the same penalty (yellow or red card) as potentially ending a players career, how does that make sense? Players use bad words, it’s a passionate game, have thicker skin and move on.
College is worse of ALL, 2 hand pushes in the back on headers are no calls. Refs refuse to reward PKs and cards out of lack of confidence and personality.
Now we know that in Europe it can go the other way. Where players dive and put on a show to gain a penalty kick or a free kick, it’s embarrassing to the game no doubt about it.
However in the end it comes down to the fact that most refs here haven’t played the game and if they did they’d call a lot more fouls. Most youth refs are just over weight old guys with glasses who more often than not don’t watch the soccer yet come out Saturday and Sundayto ref games for the $100. In Europe, refs are promoted just like teams are. You get rated and if you do well during the year you will go up from the 8th division to the 7th and so on. It’s a good system and one that can work here.
On this post I ask for your thoughts and comments, as it would make an interesting discussion.
the D'Agostino Philosophy 