Thursday Kicks: MLS Cup Edition
Briefly:
*In praise of Galaxy GM and Coach Bruce Arena.
*For Real Salt Lake MLS Cup equals redemption.
* Former Chivas USA Coach Preki was officially unveiled as Toronto's new coach today. Wonder how much longer Amado Guevara will be around?
*Want to party like it's 1989? Former UCLA and Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri will be honored tonight at Original Mike's in Orange County on the 20th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world." The event begins at 7 p.m.
*MLS has set the expansion draft for the new Philadelphia Union for Wednesday afternoon. From the MLS press release:
Philadelphia will select the core of their inaugural squad in a 10-round draft next Wednesday. Teams can participate in a half-day trade window on Monday until Noon ET. All 15 MLS teams are required to submit their lists of protected players to the League by 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 23. ... Philadelphia Union may not claim more than one player from any given team in MLS - five teams will not have a player taken in the expansion draft.
* The U.S. fell 3-1 to Denmark Wednesday.
*France is in the World Cup helped by a disputed missed hand ball; the Irish want a replay.
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Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. 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 and follow him on Twitter.
Re in praise of Arena:
Much praise for the big turn-around but his real work will be next year.
Re US vs Denmark:
One small step by Denmark, one giant leap backwards by US. Pathetic display of coaching and playing. Dump Bradley now and bring in Guus Hiddink to do his magic.
Re Henry's handball:
It's not disputed but just a missed call by the ref. Henry admitted it. Cannot replay the game but Henry should be banned from the World Cup. Also, another case for using 2 additional goal-line refs that I've been crying for decades and I think FIFA is pondering as well.
France-Ireland is the story of the day, Nick. Bad MLS reffing is nothing compared to this one.
Henry flatly confirmed it, according to the AP story: "I will be honest, it was a hand ball. But I'm not the ref," Henry said. "I played it. The ref allowed it. That's a question you should ask him."
Watch the replay: the AR had a clear view and didn't call it. How can anybody take the World Cup seriously when qualification is so clearly rigged?
IM,
Not sure the AR or the Ref had a clear view of anything in this case nor should they be expected to see everything inside a crowded box. The assistant is about 40 yards away and the ball is handled pretty close to the far goal post. He cannot be expected to see thru a flood of players in the box. THE solution is instant replay or additional assistants around the goal, kinda like hockey goal judges. I have absolutely no trouble with any delays FIFA fears in reviewing videos for infractions inside the penalty box and for goal judgements. It can't take any longer than the protests in such incidents.