Tackle On Omar Bravo Has Lots Of Gray Area - Hot Time In Old Town

In the 86th minute of play, Kansas City moved the ball up with a goal kick, a header, and a quick flick into the box for Omar Bravo. Bravo had the ball in front of him when Bratislav Ristic went in for a bold challenge. Many people are crying bloody murder but if you watch the replays it’s a close judgement call. Head referee Michael Kennedy was directly behind the play and had a good view to make the decision. My perspective after watching the replay from three different angles and a couple dozen times is that Ristic’s tackle could have been called for a penalty but it is not an egregious error by Kennedy to have withheld blowing his whistle.

For starters, Ristic didn’t tackle him from behind. Bravo had turned to the side already. Bravo had also slowed up and that is the moment Ristic went in after the ball. By the time Ristic goes in for his tackle, Bravo has already shifted his weight to his left leg. Bravo sees Ristic diving in and attempts to draw contact by flicking his right leg out. That’s not a step movement. Ristic did not go after Bravo’s leg, he went straight for the ball that Bravo left out wide in front of him. Ristic was very lucky not to be called for that because any kind of slide tackle in the box is a dangerous move. It’s not something I would suggest Ristic try again but it isn’t nearly the referee screw-up others are making of it.