David Hirshey, a well-known New York editor and former soccer reporter and match official, gives an honest account of his own experiences refereeing at the highest level. When calling a match for the U.S. women’s national team, Hirshey admits to blowing several offsides calls, and being called out for it by Tiffaney Milbrett, one of the U.S. team’s stars. Hirshey says that no player or coach has had a bigger impact on this World Cup than referees. They’ve changed many, many games at this tournament, and often, wrongly. They’ve issued an astounding 337 yellow cards, and a perhaps even more astounding 27 red cards. That’s nearly one ejection every two games. “Depending on how you look at it, this issuing of cards either restored control to a noble sport that had been defiled by cheaters or ruined the World Cup,” he says. Hirshey says that following this year’s officiating debacle it’s clear that what’s needed is a second set of eyes on the field. “After all, we’re talking about split-second decisions by men who are not even full-time referees and who for reasons known only to their loved ones, subject themselves to more than 90 minutes of physical and mental stress normally associated with a lion tamer,” he says. FIFA has repeatedly rejected claims to have a second set of eyes on the pitch, championing the Bushian idea of a lone “decider.” Perhaps the best argument in favor of a second referee is how unhappy players, fans and coaches have been at this and previous World Cups.