Friday, March 30, 2012

MLS Disciplinary Notes: Seattle vs. Houston

The major thing that made headlines in this match was, unfortunately, Colin Clark cursing out a Seattle ball boy.  However, there were a couple of other issues which warranted a look from the league, and this morning, they came down with decisions on those.

First off the Dynamo's Adam Moffat was suspended one game and fined for a tackle made on Osvaldo Alonso.  In 35th minute, Moffat hit Alonso just below the knee with a high boot. He was issued a yellow card for the play.  MLS says the suspension and fine are because Moffat endangered the safety of his opponent.

Sounders midfielder Alvaro Fernandez was also fined an undisclosed amount for embellishment of contact.  In the 82nd minute, Fernandez reacted to contact with Houston's Brad Davis, who was on a yellow card, like he had been shot or something.  He went to the floor, clearly in an attempt ton get Davis sent off.  Fortunately, the referee wasn't buying his antics.  Fernandez has gained a reputation for diving, and it appears to have caught up with him.

I agree with the action in both of these cases, with one issue.  I think Fernandez should be suspended for a game.  Last year, MLS set as precedent for diving after Charlie Davies dived and earned a PK against RSL.  Later in the season, RSL's Alvaro Saborio was fined and suspended for diving and earning a PK.  Surely Sounders fans would point out that Fernandez was not trying to win a PK.  However, he was obviously trying to get Davis sent off, which would affect not only the current match (which Seattle led 2-0 in the 82nd minute) but a future match as Davis would have been suspended.  To me that's just as unsportsman like.  However, I am glad the league decided to take some kind of action.

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