America 1-1 Montreal Referee: Hector Rodriguez (Honduras)
45th Minute: Rodriguez gets his first taste of controversy when Montreal's Dominic Oduro is fouled from behind on a breakaway by Osvaldo Martínez. For me, this was as clear a Denial of an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity as there can be, but Rodriguez strangely opts for a yellow. Key mistake there for Rodriguez.
Overview: Rodriguez and his crew started well with a strong offside decision on a goal by America, but his inexperience showed as the game went on. His first sign of weakness was failing to send off Martínez, starting a downward spiral towards loss of control in the match. This loss of control was especially evident in the end of the match, when multiple skirmishes broke out. Looking back, I have to question CONCACAF's decision to appoint Rodriguez instead of a more experienced referee such as american Mark Geiger.
OFC Champions League Final
Auckland City 1(4)-1(3)Team Wellington Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
14th Minute: Hauata correctly calls a penalty after Marko Đorđević of Auckland City is dragged backwards in the box by a Wellington defender. Auckland would convert to go up 1-0.
Overview: Hauata, who also correctly called a penalty in extra time, had a very good match. With the retirement of Peter O'Leary, Hauata is needed to slide in as the top OFC referee, and he showed he is capable tonight. Good work!
CONCACAF Champions League Final Leg 2
America 4-2 Montreal Referee: Henry Bejarano (Costa Rica)
Overview: Bejarano wasn't perfect, but he was the referee that this match needed. He probably could have shown a couple more cards, but he kept great control on the match in a game between two teams that really do not like each other. So, since Bejarano kept this match under control, unlike the Leg 1 match, he deserves a very high mark in my opinion.
CONCACAF Champions League Final Leg 2
America 4-2 Montreal Referee: Henry Bejarano (Costa Rica)
Overview: Bejarano wasn't perfect, but he was the referee that this match needed. He probably could have shown a couple more cards, but he kept great control on the match in a game between two teams that really do not like each other. So, since Bejarano kept this match under control, unlike the Leg 1 match, he deserves a very high mark in my opinion.
NOTE: CONCACAF report by Manuel Martinez. OFC report by Mark Bradford.
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