Xavier Rips Referee
Galaxy defender Abel Xavier was upset over the foul and yellow card from referee Mark Geiger that set up the game-tying goal by Columbus.
``C'mon, the referee is so bad,'' Xavier said. ``The question of one of the things they must improve in this league is the referees. It is very clear my foot was on the ball. If someone has eyes, they see clear contact with the ball.
``I can name 15 wrong decisions with the ref on both sides.''
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Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook.
Yes, it was a terrible call. But the Galaxy left so many goals unfinished that they made it possible for one bad call to change the game.
Just as important, Xavier was obviously struggling in the last few minutes of the game, especially from the time he went down at midfield (when was that? around 85 minutes?).
On the final goal, if you watch the replay, Xavier just stood there as the ball landed at Lenhart's feet. Lenhart had no pressure as he kicked it in. If Xavier had been fit, he could easily have cleared or at least made the play more difficult.
Gullett had a substitution available, and should have taken Xavier off minutes before. The coach has to take some of the responsibility for the result this time.
Xavier, stop blaming the officiating for your own incompetence. You are the worst defender in the league! You're so bad that you can't even play in Kazakhstan's fourth division.
You must have some incriminating photos of Lalas, Becks, Landon or Posh; that's the only reason the Gals are keeping you.