Players and coaches have been quick to point out inconsistencies in the officiating of MLS matches this season, yet rarely do they put the onus on themselves to clean up the game.
Thirteen red cards had already been issued this season through 35 games ù an average of 0.37 per game. That’s five percent higher than the most ejection-filled season thus far, 1998, when players were sent off 61 times in 192 games.
The nature of these infractions has been as troubling as their frequency. Most of the red cards fit into one of two categories ù those for dangerous physical challenges and those for childish temper tantrums.
And several incidents of each ù like Carlos Llamosa’s cleat-first hack on Steve Shak’s knee and Lothar Matthaeus’ armband-throwing snit ù have gone unpunished by cards of any color.
One MLS referee said the intensity of the regular-season games is higher than it’s ever been before, and nobody will contend that is a bad thing. But there is a substantial difference between intense and undisciplined.
The silly machismo posturing that resulted in Khodadad Azizi’s expulsion was akin to a Sunday amateur league game gone bad. And like an amateur league game, MLS players are going to find themselves in a downward spiral of ugliness if they don’t accept some responsibility.
When players don’t respect the authority of the officials, they push the envelope of unruly behavior, thereby making it much harder for the referee to do his job and fostering vigilante justice.
The league has already begun to levy fines and suspensions for excessive dissent, and should keep doing so if necessary.
But the players, on their part, ultimately need to accept the fact that throwing fits won’t help matters and show a higher regard for one another’s well-being.