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Michael Bales's avatar

Excellent dissection and analysis of The Referee Problem. It's hurting the beautiful game across the MLS — and the league's reputation internationally. I also believe that some refs target the Timbers because our fans, me included, embarrass them with chants dedicated to their brazen ineptness. And why, dare I ask, did last night's stellar ref never card any LAFC players for repeated mass confrontation?

On a bright note, the atmosphere last night was electric. And with this improved team, more of these nights are ahead.

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Lefthanded49's avatar

Great write up Jeremy. Glad to hear you're a union man!

There is no doubt that LAFC is one of the best teams in the league, and we hung three goals on them. I am ok with the result, even though we let them back in the game cheaply. Miller's foul at the top of the box is a mistake that should not happen. There is no reason to foul there. And Mosquera is nowhere to be found on the penalty kick. Why? Well, I'd guess his penchant to go racing up the field and forgetting there is a top flight winger to think about. Of course when the counter goes awry, he's caught up field, leaving Chara to do his duties. I'm thinking it's just not his mentality to defend first. When he was back he defended ok. I will give him credit for his ball in to Rodriguez - nice job. Without Pantemis, maybe we lose this game. His saves were insane - point blank blasts that he reacts to. Incredible.

I think we lost something when Antony left. He was terrorizing the back line in the first half. So was Da Costa. They had no answer for him and it was too bad we didn't have more to show for it. I actually thought we would keep taking it to them in the second half. That clearly didn't happen. We lost the midfield. Ayala was amazing in the first half and I think he expended so much that he kinda faded in the second half. I'm still not feeling Ortiz. Paredes is bigger and faster and could have battled Tillman. You mentioned it Jeremy, and the key to winning the midfield was positioning for second balls. They had a wall of midfielders ready to receive a headed ball from the back line, from either side. They won all the second balls, and we got worn down defending, and there was no release man like an Antony. It's all good. It was a great game, and it would have been epic had Da Costa hit his free kick. I'm pulling for him. He's going to start banging in goals.

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