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Fit to be tied: Real Salt Lake, Houston battle to a scoreless draw

It's one of the things about watching soccer than bothers me the most: a few very critical calls made by one man. It's too easy to get unfair results when one goal (or one call) on one play often makes the difference in the whole game. I don't know if we can blame the refs, because I think they do the best they can. But they either need several on the field, or to allow instant replay, or something.

Or maybe I'll just go watch some more tennis.

Probably the worst officiating I've seen in a long time, certainly at a professional game. The official never asserted himself, with Houston tripping or tackling from behind almost every time RSL got a run on toward goal. Six different Houston players got yellow cards, nearly every one for interrupting a run on goal (and those were just the ones the official called), and yet Houston kept it up. In short, he was complicit in allowing Houston to nail an RSL player every time they got beat, with a mere "caution" and slap on the wrist when he did anything at all.

He announced that there would be 4 minutes of stoppage time, then 2:26 seconds later abruptly ended the game. His red card against Wingert didn't appear to be justified from where I sat.

Lest you think I'm just whining, if you Tivo'd it, take a good look at the officiating and tell me what you think.

BTW--the fireworks were fantastic!!

the mls refs are horrible, do they even know what the hell they are doing out there. they are worse than then they world cup 06 refs. wow just get something right.

Ridiculous pretty much sums it up. That sound you hear this morning is real (not ReAl) Utah sports fans collectively yawning.

not good, not bad. I was predicting a loss.

Wow, what an exciting sport!!! The only thing I've found more exciting is watching grass grow or the thrill of waiting for paint to dry.

This is what is wrong with soccer. No game should ever end in a draw.

MLS will never be taken seriously until they can get referees that are at least competent - the last 15 minutes of the game was brutal.

Well I gave it a try... I attempted to watch this game. It didn't last long. It was just to boring.

I watched the end of So You Think You Can Dance instead.

Yep, it was just that boring!

Sock her is a dumb sport because it ends in ties, what is up with that?

Officiating aside, that was one of the most entertaining scoreless draws I've ever seen. The haters can say all they want, but that was some hard-played soccer out there and it kept everyone in the stadium on the edge of their seat for most of the game. That is one thing I love about soccer over other sports. I love the Jazz too, but if you're ever on the edge of your seat, it's in the last couple of minutes of a close game.

My favorite no-call of the game was on one of the corner kicks. The Dr. got his head on the ball; but Bobby Boswell had him in a headlock from behind and pulled him down on his back as the ball was approaching. What do you have to do to get a penalty around here?

I'd also suggest RSL spend a few days in practice this week finishing close-range opportunities. They create plenty of chances, but choke it up on the last touch.

Comment to nottyou. When you get rid of your handball games, which you think are exiting and try something more difficult like true football then you have something to talk about. That is why your American sports will never be the world game. Roscoe, your mentality of not liking a draw in a league game does not realize that there is a set time to win or lose. If you cannot do it then why go to overtime for another 30 minutes? 60? 100? Playoffs are set to create winners. League games fairly provide draws. The rest of the world is not stupid and knows what it is doing. Come out of your isolationism.

I haven't seen mention of the poor sportsmanship of Houston when, with one of their players down, RSL kicks the ball out so he could be attended to. However upon restart, Dynamo players throw in and begin attacking rather than the customary giving the ball back. Well played, Houston, well played. Hope the others teams of MLS catch sight of this and "play on" if one of your wretched lot is down.

MLS is a joke of a league, and will continue to be so, until the issues regarding lack of refereeing skills are addressed in something other than a week-later, "Yes, the referees made a mistake. Sorry 'bout that," acknowledgment. (see the San Jose non-offside goal being called back to be later admitted as being an incorrect call - goodbye two points) I can live with a missed call - it happens, they're human - but the apparent (obvious) inequality of the calls is appalling.

MLS - step up.

And I agree that RSL needs to finish - not asking for all to go in - but one - once in a while - go in. I'm a fan of Dr Goals, but physician, heal thyself. RSL needs scoring.

Dear Ridiculous, Roscoe & Utefan (and the rest of the clones),

We're not going to apologize for your ignorance.

Signed,

Soccer Fans

They still play that game? 0-0 tie? What a waste of time.

Peter,

Your logic is truly dizzying, but also pointless just like these draws. You bash Americans for preferring a conclusive outcome to a competitive contest we, as spectators, invest time and money in (if we pay admission). American sports have simply evolved to the point that fans prefer & expect a winner and a loser at the end of the game. Otherwise, why play at all?

Great game. Very entertaining. Poor officiating. Fireworks at the end rocked!
To the haters: you go ahead and watch so you think you can dance. The fact that you openly admit you watched that instead of professional soccer on ESPN should tell you a little something about yourselves. And Ute Fan, there was whole bunch of your compadres at the game, as well as Cougar fans galore. Sounds like you're the one the outside looking in dude.
Anyone who is hating on RSL, probably has never left the state. Actually, they've probably never left SLC.
Hold on....lets wait for the crying on tax dollars.....here it comes....

Dear oussan,

I'm not going to appreciate or support your silly sport that apparently you are now the official spokesperson for.

Signed,

Just Me

I dislike about soccer is the players and fans! How stupid can they get?

I must admit that I sat through the entire match with the hopes of being entertained. I really have tried to give soccer a fair shake, however I don't have it in me to defend it any longer. The purists will argue that they found the match to be exciting. BULL!!! High Schoolers finish better then RSL. I couted seven times, in the box, that RSL had legitimate scoring opportunities, but failed to capitalize on their last touch. Talk about chokers. I'd hate to have any of them on the foul line in a basketball game needing to hit a free throw for the tie/lead. 0-0 give me a break! The game ends in the 93 minute and RSL freaks out chasing the officials off the field. I mean what makes them think that they can score if the officals grant them 2 additional minutes of play, if I remember it ended 0-0. Oh, I loved it when RSL walked around the stadium, after the game, giving the old 'soccer appreciation clap' to the fans showing their appreciation for sitting through their lackluster effort they call sport. I'll take marbles, hopscotch or jacks over soccer anytime. SOCCER IS BROKEN!