Head of MLS referees defends against criticism over red cards

So far in the young Major League Soccer season, referees have handed out 16 red cards, a mark that’s up from 14 at this point last season. While that doesn’t seem like much of an increase, it’s enough that fans have been unhappy and vocally critical of the league’s referees, saying that they’re giving out a lot of unnecessary red cards.

Not so, says Peter Walton, general manager of the Professional Referees Organization that manages the refs in MLS. According to him, red cards are up because the refs are getting more calls right than they used to -- they’re calling 85 percent of red card offenses appropriately, up from just 72 percent last year. “If players continue making such challenges,” Walton told reporters in a conference call, “referees will continue making such decisions.”

While that’s all well and good and emphasis campaigns are great, here’s our question -- why were referees missing so many red cards before this season?

Feel the chills as Borussia Dortmund fans and Liverpool fans fill the Westfalenstadion with “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”(Fear The Wall)

Liverpool could be without Jordan Henderson for awhile after a potentially serious knee injury. (Guardian)

AC Milan manager Sinisa Mihajlovic may be out of a job if Milan lose to Juventus this weekend. (ESPN FC)

The former agent of Luis Suarez had some decidedly less than complimentary things to say about the Barcelona forward. (AS)

Bayern Munich might not have Arjen Robben available any time soon, as he has “no timetable” for an injury return. (Sky Sports)

Stephanie Yang talks to Khalida Popal, an Afghan exile who helped create the Afghanistan women’s national team. (Unusual Efforts)

James Horncastle wonders just how good a fit Antonio Conte will be at Chelsea. (ESPN FC)

Bob Wilson tries to figure out how to stop a Dimitri Payet free kick. (Telegraph)

Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund entertained us all in a 1-1 Europa League draw. (Liverpool Offside)

Villarreal eked out a tough 2-1 Europa League win over Sparta Prague (Villarreal USA)

Bundesliga: Hertha BSC vs. Hannover 96 (2:30 p.m.): Hertha still have a tentative hold on third place in the Bundesliga, the last guaranteed spot in the Champions League group stage German teams get. They need to keep winning games to hold onto it in a tight race, so a match against all-but-relegated Hannover should be just what they need.

MLS: Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City (7 p.m.): Two of the surprise early leaders in the Eastern Conference of MLS square off to see who can keep up their early momentum.

Liga MX: Two games (from 5:30 p.m.): The first match between Queretaro and Toluca may not excite many based on their recent form, but the nightcap -- Santos Laguna hosting Veracruz -- should be interesting as Santos are trying to claw their way up the table late in the Clausura.