OT: Basketball Got Nuthin On Soccer

As mentioned in another thread a bit ago, I'm a fair weather-front runner for USA Men's Soccer....enjoy getting into it during the World Cup only. Nice to see them advance in the knockout round since 2002. Its something everyone can get behind. I like the passion of the world's fans for their country's teams.

I will admit to getting nervous towards the end. That free/penalty kick was awesome.

We're in big trouble vs Belgium without our #1 striker Balogun. I'm hoping that red card gets overturned. He wasn't intentionally trying to step on the guys ankle.

SurfnRide wrote:

We're in big trouble vs Belgium without our #1 striker Balogun. I'm hoping that red card gets overturned. He wasn't intentionally trying to step on the guys ankle.

Worst red card I’ve ever seen for sure.

I think red cards are only overturned for multiple game suspension reduction, not a single match. Balogun won't play unless the heavens open. Slowing the play down on replay doesn't do justice to a "bang bang" play (football included)

Was a BS call.

I do not watch soccer other than World Cup or Olympics, so do not fully understand the game, but that red card was beyond ridiculous. And then to have to go out for the rest of the game and be suspended the next game for a BS call! In hockey, you go out for 2 minutes, but in this sport it is a power play for the rest of the game! Whenever I watch soccer, I remember why I do not watch soccer 😀

Agree with the flopping, they must take drama classes, I think they are way worse than the NBA!

The only reason I don't follow soccer more is because its no different than MLB and the NBA. If you don't have a salary cap then I'm not watching. It's not a fair sport. The richest owners buy players and championships. I find ZERO reason to watch those sports. Its now entertainment not a sport with fair competition. Basically the WWF.

That's why I only follow the NFL and NHL.

I watch soccer only during the World Cup due to the battle of nations and their pride and many players leave their EC (European Championship) teams to play for their nations spreading out the talent.

JustInTime wrote:

Worst red card I’ve ever seen for sure.

Haha...didn't you just start this thread by basically admitting you don't watch much soccer? 😄 It's kind of like when a 5-year-old says, "That's the best ice cream I've ever had!"

That said, for those of us who've watched and followed the sport for years, I'd agree it was one of the worst red cards I've seen. I don't know if I'd call it the worst, but it's definitely up there.

The worst one I've personally witnessed wasn't even called a foul on the field initially. The player stayed down "injured," so the referee stopped play. After complaints from the opposing team, the officials got together, changed the call, and then the referee walked halfway across the field to show a straight red to one of our players...despite later acknowledging he never actually saw the incident himself and the AR didn't think it was a foul either. This was at the U17 National Championships, and we lost one of our best players because of it.

That's why I hate seeing red cards handed out in situations like Balogun's. Like most sports, officials shouldn't decide games (or the next game) unless the act is truly egregious. If the referee wanted to call the foul and show a yellow, I don't think many would've complained. But to send him off and suspend him for the next match over what looked like a bang-bang soccer play with no malicious intent? That's a game-changing decision, and IMO, one the referee simply got wrong and he should have repercussions as a result.

I'm a huge soccer fan, especially EPL. That should not have been a red card, USMNT got screwed.

IceRatz16 wrote:

Haha...didn't you just start this thread by basically admitting you don't watch much soccer? 😄 It's kind of like when a 5-year-old says, "That's the best ice cream I've ever had!"
That said, for those of us who've watched and followed the sport for years, I'd agree it was one of the worst red cards I've seen. I don't know if I'd call it the worst, but it's definitely up there.
The worst one I've personally witnessed wasn't even called a foul on the field initially. The player stayed down "injured," so the referee stopped play. After complaints from the opposing team, the officials got together, changed the call, and then the referee walked halfway across the field to show a straight red to one of our players...despite later acknowledging he never actually saw the incident himself and the AR didn't think it was a foul either. This was at the U17 National Championships, and we lost one of our best players because of it.
That's why I hate seeing red cards handed out in situations like Balogun's. Like most sports, officials shouldn't decide games (or the next game) unless the act is truly egregious. If the referee wanted to call the foul and show a yellow, I don't think many would've complained. But to send him off and suspend him for the next match over what looked like a bang-bang soccer play with no malicious intent? That's a game-changing decision, and IMO, one the referee simply got wrong and he should have repercussions as a result.

Yeah. Sarcasm is hard.