Hey Red Solo Cup, Welcome to Matt’s world. Do you play (root) beer pong? I see you at all the matches…Cheers!

My thoughts on Red Cards is this. I feel like giving out cards, red or yellow, should be used as a shield, not a sword. I don’t think they should be used as a way to attack, but a way to protect. I feel like they have always been too liberal in handing out cards, and now with this new rule it appears they will be even more liberal. That’s no good.

Red Solo Cup loves the Sweeper and Matt Smith (you both know who I am). You are soccer gods. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. That being said…

This is my first post to the blog. My soccer knowledge has grown in the last four years since my son played at a local high school and has since moved on to play college futbol. I, therefore, am not a soccer officiando nor do I profess to be an expert. I am a fan of the game whose knowledge is limited. Truth be told, I’m a baseball guy and can win many bets (bar and otherwise) with my obscure baseball knowledge. With that, I’d like to comment on The Sweeper’s last post regarding red cards.

I was at the WSC Silver Division final and do have first hand knowledge of why more red cards are being handed out. It’s the violence, baby.

Yes, NCS has dictated that there should be less violence (we call them fights) in the HS soccer game. One way to do that is to hand out red cards as the game nears conclusion. Huh?!?!? That’s right. When the game is drawing to a close and players start to “slow down the game” by needless fouls, red cards will come out. At the Silver final the last red card was a result of a Campo player taking down a DVHS player. According to the center ref (here’s my first hand knowledge), he felt that the foul was worthy of a Red Card under the new rule interpretation since most fights break out in the final stages of HS games. Now those of us that were there might question whether this was a foul or not. One thing we can’t question and should all support is any attempt to reduce the amount of fights that occur at HS sporting events. I don’t believe that this is misquided. In fact, I believe it to be a good rule, in spirit. What I fear is that we will have a plethora of red cards coming out at crucial times in matches that could determine the outcome of a game. I say, let the boys play but be firm and consistent from the opening whistle to the final whistle. That will make for a clean, well-played game.

Thanks to Matt for all he does to promote this sport in the greater Bay Area and for his ongoing promotion of the players who play.

I fill you up…

Granada pics – http://www.fjphotoguy.com/CalHighSoccer2011-2012/Granada-Winter-Classic-Finals

Cal pics – http://www.fjphotoguy.com/CalHighSoccer2011-2012/Cal-Winter-Classic-Finals

Thanks for the compliment Sweeper, I will always do my best to post pics of both teams on the pitch.

Enjoy!

Chris

There were two red cards at the WSC final (1 per team)
Campo vs piedmont had 2 both towards piedmont.. 1 towards a player and a coach
I am noticing this as well.. None of the cards were red worthy either

One trend that I am noticing is that there seems to be more red cards this season, more than in recent memory. Has something changed this season to “short leash” the players? Is there any legitimate evidence to support my observation, or am I just imagining this?

BTW, FJ Photo Guy in posting #77 does a fabulous job capturing matches from the sidelines. Despite those Grizzlies ties, it is great to review pictures from a match that you watched, and recall various captured events frozen in time. Keep up the good work Chris.

See you at the pitch!