Topic: Men's Soccer: #5 Marshall @ #8 Pitt at 6 PM EST tonight

[marshallmark]

From the viewpoint of a retired futbol ref.... absolutely the correct call on the red.  The Pitt player had a clear path to the goal and the trip kept him from having an opportunity to score.  The only question I had was the position of the keeper - if he was clearly going to collect the ball, then no red.  It was close, but in that situation, you can't assume the keeper would have gotten to it before the striker.  The Marshall player clearly clipped the striker's left foot and the ref correctly ruled that foul occurred outside of the box.  I've been around floppers enough to know that if the striker was going to flop, he would have waited one more step to be in the box.  Plus, we look at arm flailing, etc. to indicate flopping - there was none of that. 

Good game to win, and still allow Chris G. things to work on. 

[mu79grad]

From the viewpoint of a retired futbol ref.... absolutely the correct call on the red.  The Pitt player had a clear path to the goal and the trip kept him from having an opportunity to score.  The only question I had was the position of the keeper - if he was clearly going to collect the ball, then no red.  It was close, but in that situation, you can't assume the keeper would have gotten to it before the striker.  The Marshall player clearly clipped the striker's left foot and the ref correctly ruled that foul occurred outside of the box.  I've been around floppers enough to know that if the striker was going to flop, he would have waited one more step to be in the box.  Plus, we look at arm flailing, etc. to indicate flopping - there was none of that. 

Good game to win, and still allow Chris G. things to work on.

Mark, I usually agree with your assessment of all things Marshall.  I was never a soccer referee and really am not that much of a student of the game, but in looking at the television replay a few times, I still don't see what you saw.  I'm not saying it was a flop but I don't think he was clipped as you contend.  Just my .02 worth. 

[Garbanjo]

Mark, I usually agree with your assessment of all things Marshall.  I was never a soccer referee and really am not that much of a student of the game, but in looking at the television replay a few times, I still don't see what you saw.  I'm not saying it was a flop but I don't think he was clipped as you contend.  Just my .02 worth.

Maybe I'm blind as well because I didn't see any contact

[muherd34]

Dang!  Hopefully we can keep the good play up.  We are looking strong.  I know really nothing about soccer, but I love to watch us play!  Go HERD!

[marshallmark]

Maybe I'm blind as well because I didn't see any contact

Also note that the MU player didn't object much to the yellow or foul call.  He was trying to get his foot in front of the striker to flick the ball away and just got enough of the striker's left boot to knock it into his right one.  Players know. 

[elginherd]

Also note that the MU player didn't object much to the yellow or foul call.  He was trying to get his foot in front of the striker to flick the ball away and just got enough of the striker's left boot to knock it into his right one.  Players know.

That's what I saw on my viewing.

The thing is, in terms of this game if the striker doesn't get tripped, the score is more than likely 3-2 at that point of the game and, given the problems getting the ball out of our zone, a very different circumstance regarding preserving the win.

[Luke80]

Another former soccer referee here, and he definitely clipped his heel. That?s actually a taught technique.

[sardistim]

Another former soccer referee here, and he definitely clipped his heel. That?s actually a taught technique.

Not saying Amaro did it on purpose, but he clearly clipped the guy's heel.  And not only is it a taught technique, but not that hard to learn.  Anybody in junior high try to be a pest and give someone a "flat tire"?  (Yes, I was that guy, but I grew out of it. . . I think.)

[CoachMaclid]

Just now getting to comment on this as I didn't get to see the game live, but having watched a replay now, the red card was absolutely deserved.  When you see the replay from the side, Amaro clips the Pitt players foot, and you can see the foot alter with the contact, and it was a clear breakaway on the goal attempt.  The Pitt player was clearly tripped when the defender wasn't making any play for the ball.  I firmly believe this was an "intentional unintentional" foul without doubt.

[2xBison]

not sure where everyone gets "clearly clipped", I do think he barely touched the left leg causing the fall.  I understand why many think there was no contact because it was just a tiny touch on the left leg and I had to look closely.

[svherd]

The Pitt player did a good job making the contact look more than it was. Falling down into the box, hoping it may be a PK. The contact was minimal.

[marshallmark]

The Pitt player did a good job making the contact look more than it was. Falling down into the box, hoping it may be a PK. The contact was minimal.

See above.  He would have waited a step before flopping to be inside the box.  The fact that it clearly occurred a full step outside the box is also evidence that he was actually tripped.

[svherd]

See above.  He would have waited a step before flopping to be inside the box.  The fact that it clearly occurred a full step outside the box is also evidence that he was actually tripped.

Agree. Just saying if they didn't have VAR, the ref. may have awarded a PK based on where he landed. I've seen it happen before. LOL!

[marshallmark]

Agree. Just saying if they didn't have VAR, the ref. may have awarded a PK based on where he landed. I've seen it happen before. LOL!

I may be wrong, but didn't the ref initially point to the spot?  If that's the case, his AR must have been out of position b/c he should have been looking right at the foul.