Pablo Mastroeni has 65 caps for the United States, but he might best be remembered for the red-card he picked up in a 2006 World Cup match against Italy. Although he's now the head coach of the Colorado Rapids, Mastroeni appears to still only a passing awareness of what justifies an ejection. Here's what he said following the Rapids' 6-0 loss to the LA Galaxy on Friday in which his goalkeeper was red-carded just 34 seconds into the match:
Pablo Mastroeni doesn’t understand red-card rules
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ve seen replays, but I’m not qualified to make referee decisions. I’d be interested to see exactly what was called, why it was called. I think that’s obviously a turning point in the game. It’s a pivotal moment in the game, but that’s life.”
Well, let’s see if I can’t help Mastroeni out a little.
Joe Nasco literally grabbed Alan Gordon's legs and tackled him. Inside the penalty area. While the ball was between the players and goal-line. If that's not the text-book definition of denial of a goal-scoring opportunity (red card) as well as a foul inside the penalty area (penalty kick), I'm not entirely sure what is. That it happened 34 seconds into the match shouldn't factor into referee Baldomero Toledo's decision.
Watch for yourself:
See More:
