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NYCFC / Toronto FC: Bad Calls and Stray Balls

16 de Mayo de 2021 a las 16:14

Photo courtesy of NYCFC Media
 
Spanglish Sports World Columnist

New York. - I feel bad for most referees. I feel one of the best quotes with regards to officiating came from the late, great MLB player/broadcaster Joe Garagiola when he said, “The best applause an umpire (in this case a referee) can ever receive is dead silence.” It's a tough job with split second decisions and I have absolute respect for them for that challenge. Most times, it doesn't affect the game as mistakes against both teams often wash themselves out. However sometimes in sports decisions are made that are not just incorrect, but so detrimental that it affects the outcome of the game. Enter NYCFC vs. TorontoFC & a call which many would argue cost NYCFC a win.

Setting the scenario, midway through the second half with Toronto down 1-0 Toronto goalie Alex Bono  punted the ball within a couple feet away from NYCFC midfielder Jesus Medina who was just outside the penalty area. Despite his back being turned, Medina hopped in that moment presumably to block the punt. The rules are clear; the ball is fair game once it fully leaves control of the goaltender. In a quirk of fate the ball bounced full speed off the back of Medina's head and into the Toronto goal. Honestly it by itself was one of the weirder moments in sports and one that, had the goal counted, would be played on YouTube for years to come. However it was ruled interference & the whistle blown prior to the ball entering the net; nullifying the goal (referee David Ganter would later admit his mistake and apologize). Instead of being up 2-0, Toronto caught the biggest break a team could ask for and they took advantage. Despite protests and objections from NYCFC (with many things of which I might get in trouble saying here) the goal was nullified.

Now, I should also clarify that as brutal as that call was; you have to find a way as a player to put it behind you. Personally I've always been fond of the phrase “Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you deal with it.” And NYC was unable to put it past them, allowing a late goal and additional late pressure that by the end of the night, even the Blues were lucky to even walk away with a point. Call this an early prediction but I feel like those two points are going to be a huge difference maker later on in the season.

Like I mentioned referee David Ganter who made the call later admitted his error. It's easy to forget in the heat of the moment that refs are human and it's a job I'd never in a million years want to have. But I've noticed an increased trend in sports where the officials seem to struggle more of late; making more missed calls. I've wondered if the increase in technology & social media has put them under a microscope far more than ever. I could do a week's worth of articles on umpire struggles in MLB and maybe I will in time, but for now, let's just see what happens from here and hope that NYCFC can recover for next week's game at (home away from) home in Harrison against Columbus.

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