MLS Week 12 Reports

Sporting Kansas City 4-2 New England            Referee: Allen Chapman
Chapman had one penalty call, which I unfortunately think he got wrong.
42nd Minute: Revs defender Jose Goncalves slightly pulls the arm of Dom Dwyer in the box, prompting a penalty call from Chapman. However, I disagree with the call on the grounds that the contact was so minimal that I don't see how it really affected the way Dwyer was making his run. Still, the one positive thing I have to say is that Chapman has at least been consistent in calling things tight in the area.

Columbus 2-2 Chicago                                       Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Good game for Bazakos with little controversy. Nothing to go in depth on.

LA Galaxy 1-0 Houston                                     Referee: Ismail Elfath
Elfath had one of the toughest calls of the season so far, but he may have gotten it wrong.
95th Minute: Oscar Sorto of LA slides in from behind on David Horst as Horst exits the area. Elfath calls a foul just outside the box and sends off Sorto for the absurdly dangerous challenge. My only question is whether Houston should have had a PK or a Free Kick. Horst is out of the area when he hits the ground but the contact on his lower leg appears just inside the box. Looked like a near impossible call to me, but I think Elfath did get it wrong.

Toronto 1-0 Portland                                           Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Gonzalez, who has seen very few matches this year, had no controversy in this match. Nice work from the veteran referee.

New England 1-1 DC United                              Referee: Mark Geiger
Geiger had to show two reds in this match, and I have no problems with either of them.
52nd Minute: New England Defender Chris Tierney wins the ball, but sends his studs into the knee of Chris Pontius before doing so. Geiger shows him a straight red card, and since it was a violent challenge that certainly endangered Pontius, I have no problems at all with the decision. Good call by Geiger.
58th Minute: New England's US International Lee Nguyen is already booked when he pulls back the shoulder of Davy Arnaud and holds on for several seconds. Geiger sends him off and I agree, though I think that if Nguyen had let go earlier it could've been a final warning instead of a second yellow. Regardless, a good call by Geiger.

Montreal 2-1 FC Dallas                                       Referee: Chris Penso
Penso had one PK decision to make and I think he was spot on with it,
24th Minute: Montreal's Andres Romero tries to seal off a ball at the end of the Dallas box when he is bowled over by Moises Hernandez. Penso awards Montreal what was a clear penalty, but what I found most interesting about this play is that AR Jeff Muschik was the one who actually called the foul. Penso just had to decide whether it was in the box or not. Good teamwork by the crew to get the call right.

Colorado 1-0 Vancouver                                     Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Rivero had a very good first ninety minutes, but his disallowing of a Pedro Morales goal in stoppage time was strange to say the least. He appears to have whistled for a foul against a Vancouver player in the box, but I just don't see any contact. In my opinion, the goal should have stood.

Seattle 0-0 Kansas City                                        Referee: Jair Marrufo
What was billed as a top game failed to produce, including for Marrufo, who didn't see any controversy.

Salt Lake 2-0 NYCFC                                         Referee: Juan Guzman
Guzman hardly saw any match in this Saturday night showdown. Nice work by him and his crew.

New York Red Bulls 0-2 Philadelphia                Referee: Baldomero Toledo
No controversy for the veteran ref Toledo. Nice work by the whole crew at this match.

San Jose 1-1 Orlando                                           Referee: Allen Chapman
Chapman had 3 tough calls to make, and I agree with 2 of his decisions.
54th Minute: Orlando's Brek Shea makes a lunging slide with studs showing on Samar Nyassi's shins. Chapman gives him a straight red, and I agree. Absolutely no place for challenges like that in any league.
63rd Minute: Cyle Larin of Orlando and San Jose keeper David Bingham both go up for a bouncing ball, with Bingham getting both the ball and Larin. Chapman calls a penalty but I'm not so convinced. Looked like two defenders going up for a ball to me.
67th Minute: Orlando's Darwin Ceren hacks down Jordan Stewart in the area and Chapman correctly points to the spot. Nice call by Chapman on that play.

NOTE: All referees are American, hence the lack of national indication. Thanks for reading!