From Deseret News archives:
Real Salt Lake: RSL feels 'wronged' by officials
"After three successive weeks of game-changing decisions, it's time we vent a little bit and put things right," said Kreis on Monday afternoon. "I have a team doing their best to reward fans through a frustrating time and a frustrating few years. I feel the players are doing what they need to, the coaching staff is doing what they do, but being wronged by critical referee decisions is unacceptable."
It's more than just being on the wrong side of judgment calls that is upsetting to Kreis, it's what appears to be a blatant disregard for the rules.
"It's about time they start first off trying to be right, and then being fair," said Kreis. "It's too many game-breaking calls, all of them against Real Salt Lake."
In an exclusive interview with the Deseret News, and knowing full well he'd likely be fined for his comments, Kreis wanted to be very clear about the specific calls that have gone against his club.
Nonetheless, heading into stoppage time RSL hadn't scored the equalizing goal. Referee Silviu Petrescu signalled three minutes of stoppage time, extending RSL's lifeline just a little longer.
After 1:50 of what was supposed to be at least three minutes of stoppage time, Petrescu blew the whistle and ended the game.
Kreis knows the odds of his team scoring in those final 70 seconds was slim, but he's still ticked the ref shorted the game at such a critical moment.
Fast forward one week to RSL's 4-1 loss at D.C. United.
Kreis is aware his displeasure with referee Baldomero Toledo sounds like a conspiracy theory, but it's tough to overlook. All week leading up to the April 26 match Kreis read stories in the media about how D.C. United was planning on turning its season around against Real Salt Lake.
To then see D.C. United awarded two penalty kicks to open up a 2-0 lead early in the second half was extremely frustrating. The first penalty resulted on what appeared to be an inadvertent handball in the box against Dema Kovalenko. Kreis called the ref's decision, "extremely questionable" and inconsistent with other hand balls he's witnessed this season. Against Toronto, Kovalenko had a second-half shot heading toward goal deflected by an inadvertent hand ball without a whistle being blown.
Recent comments
Enough of the crying about the officials, win the game and don't let...
Billy | May 14, 2008 at 12:17 p.m.
I think I have a unique perspective on the subject being a referee...
Dennis | May 8, 2008 at 8:42 p.m.
The MLS should be embarrassed by the amount of money spent on...
Bravo, Coach | May 7, 2008 at 11:34 p.m.
- Oil slides to near $74 10:38 a.m.
- Gov't delays Web gambling ban 10:37 a.m.
- Vegas venture with Dubai OK 10:37 a.m.
- Shaq pays for funeral of missing girl 10:35 a.m.
- Muslims cast stones during hajj 10:34 a.m.
- Karzai renews call for rebuilding 10:31 a.m.
- Key anti-Taliban figure assassinated 10:29 a.m.
- Swiss vote on Muslim minarets ban 10:29 a.m.
- Japan holds first budget debates 10:27 a.m.
- China pledges stable econ policy 10:25 a.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
118 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
101
Carlos Boozer denied that playing so well against the Chicago Bulls held...
There are 14 BYU players from Salt Lake Valley. And there are four Utah...
Good luck to both teams and may both teams' fans applaud good plays and think...
Waaaah! It's all in fun. If you are looking to be offended, you will be...
People are so childish and apparently ignorant that they will sign up the...
Thanks to the Deseret News for posting this each year. It is a great service...
As much as some Utah fans would like to think so, Utah isn't nearly as good...
Hey Anonymous~ If you were active LDS you would know that hundreds, if not...
Smith--what do you have against libraries? Have you been in the Farmington...
Could I really the first person to comment on this story? Booz really D-will...
Bub, wow that was quaint. Is the Mtn. still broadcasting in Standard Def,...
Is that a word? See the "uneducated" posts in other articles. Exhibit B

