Instant Replay in the MISL: Special Commentary

[Soccer-Man]

After witnessing the world of soccer stand still on March 25, 2011, I knew something was woefully wrong with the MISL‘s officiating. The final score spoke a language that was clearly untrue for anyone that saw the game. Nevertheless, it granted the *Milwaukee Wave the championship of the MISL. Than Commissioner David Grimaldi did nothing to reverse this decision as fans the world over protested the outcome. But I digress because looking forward is the only way to fix the problem with the MISL’s officiating.

After the MISL and the USL merged their respective organizations to form a super league, it’s time for indoor soccer to catch up with current technology. I propose the use of instant replay and coaches challenges to help in the correction of poor calls. Since all 7 of the participating MISL arenas have video technology (including full in-arena screens), it’s a no-brainer. Also, since all the games are streamed live, the footage is available to review on the spot. The NFL, NHL, NBA and even MLB uses instant replay to varying degrees. However, for the MISL to believe that their officials are so good that they don’t need help from current technology, is arrogant. The events of March 25, 2011, is enough proof for soccer fans everywhere to know better.

A system much like the NFL, where coaches have, lets say 2 challenges per half and in the final two minutes, all reviews are initiated by the league. Again, like the NFL, if the coach is wrong, he loses a timeout. This may not be perfect, but maybe the geniuses in the MISL and USL can come up with a better system; anything would be better than what we have now. Since the MISL has always positioned itself as a leader and innovator in American soccer, this would be one more feather in its cap.

Lets make a difference!!!

[Sam Hill]

Your "special commentaries" are so very special. And while it's almost like a sport to point out how idiotic they are, it's so low-impact, really, and you make it so easy, that I can't resist.

After witnessing the world of soccer stand still on March 25, 2011, I knew something was woefully wrong with the MISL‘s officiating.

First off, the world of soccer didn't stand still on March 25. The world of soccer is a big ol' world, and it barely notices the MISL or the PASL or whatever other farcical indoor leagues pop up only to whither and die.

It's funny, though, how the last time your team won the title, it was a very physical game, with many fouls, yet, because your team won, you didn't seem to notice or see that "something was woefully wrong with the MISL's officiating." Nothing was wrong with it then, but something's really wrong with it now, and something must be done. Funny how that works.

The final score spoke a language that was clearly untrue for anyone that saw the game.

Unless they either (a) came from Milwaukee or ( b) were a neutral observer.

Nevertheless, it granted the *Milwaukee Wave the championship of the MISL.

Something you said you had thought about and would now (and forevermore, presumably) "recognize," which I would presume would mean without the asterisk, but because you're so small and petty and lame-brained, it would surprise no one here that you'd go back on that.

Than Commissioner David Grimaldi did nothing to reverse this decision as fans the world over protested the outcome.

Big sigh. Very big sigh.

If by "the world over," you mean "the space between my ears," then, fine. I'll even give you Baltimore's environs, but only for a month or two afterwards, because nobody holds onto the result of a tiddlywinks championship match for longer than that. Except for you, apparently.

And what do you want the commissioner of a league to do? A judgment NOV like a judge who believes the jury completely didn't get it? Based on what? The fact that your team lost, and you can't handle that emotionally? "Comes the conqueror" and all that b.s.? That's completely insane. Utterly, utterly insane.

After the MISL and the USL merged their respective organizations to form a super league, it’s time for indoor soccer to catch up with current technology. I propose the use of instant replay and coaches challenges to help in the correction of poor calls.

"Like fouls. Against my team's players. Those are all poor calls."

Since all 7 of the participating MISL arenas have video technology (including full in-arena screens), it’s a no-brainer.

Much like your post. But in a different way than you think.

Also, since all the games are streamed live, the footage is available to review on the spot.

It is not guaranteed that all games will be streamed live, and you can review if you like, but you sitting at home watching on your laptop is unlikely to be high enough quality to definitively overrule people who are, say, ten feet away from something that just happened.

The NFL, NHL, NBA and even MLB uses instant replay to varying degrees.

And none of those degrees are to "make sure my team gets every call because I'm upset we lost the championship game."

However, for the MISL to believe that their officials are so good that they don’t need help from current technology, is arrogant.

Do you know that's what they believe? Are these actually "MISL" officials, or USSF officials? I can't keep track of who's affiliated and who isn't. And if it is arrogance (one of your favorite sins to call people out on, apparently), then so is...oh, every league everywhere in the world. Because there's no technological assist of officiating in any soccer league in the world that I'm aware of.

The events of March 25, 2011, is enough proof for soccer fans everywhere to know better.

Again, "My team lost, I'm the only one still upset about it three and a half months later, but I'll try to say the entire world is up in arms about it."

A system much like the NFL, where coaches have, lets say 2 challenges per half and in the final two minutes, all reviews are initiated by the league.

If they could afford the type of technology the NHL and NFL had, where there's a war room that can watch every game and render verdicts, that would be great. When you say "initiated by the league," that's what you're suggesting. You're suggesting there's a room somewhere at League HQ where people are watching every game for every possible ticky-tack foul so that you can feel better, right? Do you know how unrealistic that is?

Again, like the NFL, if the coach is wrong, he loses a timeout. This may not be perfect, but maybe the geniuses in the MISL and USL can come up with a better system; anything would be better than what we have now. Since the MISL has always positioned itself as a leader and innovator in American soccer, this would be one more feather in its cap.

Yes, a leader and an innovator. God, you're beyond help. There is no way on earth someone can honestly believe the things you say without having suffered damage to their brain at some point in the past. Just no way.

Your team lost. Please get the hell over it.

[wasteland]

Its not too often something I read on the internet makes me LOL.

I'll ignore your secondary comments as others here will carve them up, but I'll address your main question. Instant replay at this level is ridiculous at best. Not only would it slow down game play, but its an unneeded expenses that I bet a lot of teams counldn't take on even if they wanted too.

Your team lost fair and square. Get over it man.

[Pounder]

I demand instant replay in MISL- with the caveat that the arena and live feed show the replay official's face.

See, as a USL vet, I want to see that guy's face when the replay goes into its inevitable buffeting.

[Soccer-Man]

I demand instant replay in MISL- with the caveat that the arena and live feed show the replay official's face.

See, as a USL vet, I want to see that guy's face when the replay goes into its inevitable buffeting.

My thing is this, the MISL needs to change; and change in a major way. Installing instant replay into the rules can be done immediately. Again, since every MISL arena has video technology and since all the games are streamed live, what else is needed. The fans would love it as the officials are not the best and they can see the replay of the poor call(s) on the large screen(s). Moreover, it would place the MISL in the realm with the other major leagues. I hope that the geniuses at the USL would understand this. It's another way to evolve the game.

C'mon Commissioner Economides, give the fans what they want.

[Soccer-Man]

Its not too often something I read on the internet makes me LOL.

I'll ignore your secondary comments as others here will carve them up, but I'll address your main question. Instant replay at this level is ridiculous at best. Not only would it slow down game play, but its an unneeded expenses that I bet a lot of teams counldn't take on even if they wanted too.

Your team lost fair and square. Get over it man.


What are the "unneeded expenses." Again, the games are:

a) Being taped (every MISL game; every one)
b) Being streamed live (every MISL game; every one)
c) Video technology is in every MISL arena. (every one)

I doubt that the already poor league officials would charge extra just to watch a video replay, to change or uphold a call.

It's time for Commissioner Economides, the USL and the MISL to give the fans what we want.

[Soccer-Man]

Your team lost. Please get the hell over it.

Mr. Hill, I have moved on from the Events of March 25, 2011. The *Milwaukee Wave are the MISL Champions.

All I'm trying to do is level the playing field so that every MISL game can be as fair as it can be for both teams on the field. We've all complained from time to time about the officials. All I'm advocating are the tools of current technology to help them out. And again, these tools are already in place in every MISL arena.

Here's hoping that Commissioner Economides is listening to the fans.

[wasteland]

What are the "unneeded expenses." Again, the games are:

a) Being taped (every MISL game; every one)
b) Being streamed live (every MISL game; every one)
c) Video technology is in every MISL arena. (every one)

I doubt that the already poor league officials would charge extra just to watch a video replay, to change or uphold a call.

None of that means means anything nor does it mean any of that is suitable for IR. The AHL is proposing IR too, and the major sticking point is the estimated cost per team to get it going which would be around 50k a team. The AHL has it's teams have much MUCH deeper pockets, to me it would appear that IR would be almost unattainable for a league at the level the MISL is.

And really, nobody cares.

[Round Lake Illini]

Mr. Hill, I have moved on from the Events of March 25, 2011. The *Milwaukee Wave are the MISL Champions.

All I'm trying to do is level the playing field so that every MISL game can be as fair as it can be for both teams on the field. We've all complained from time to time about the officials. All I'm advocating are the tools of current technology to help them out. And again, these tools are already in place in every MISL arena.

Here's hoping that Commissioner Economides is listening to the fans.

The fact that you have the * next to Milwaukee Wave shows that

1. You haven't moved on
2. You are a crybaby
3. You are an attention-starved instigator

[Soccer-Man]

None of that means means anything nor does it mean any of that is suitable for IR. The AHL is proposing IR too, and the major sticking point is the estimated cost per team to get it going which would be around 50k a team. The AHL has it's teams have much MUCH deeper pockets, to me it would appear that IR would be almost unattainable for a league at the level the MISL is.

And really, nobody cares.

I think you're taking this in a direction that it doesn't need to be taken in. I'm not trying to install an expensive system with multiple camera angles. All that is needed are the angles that are available with the cameras that are being used. Here is an article from the LA Times on the initial phase of the NHL's instant replay system.

http://articles.latimes.com/1991-06-25/sports/sp-1247_1_goal-line


The NHL used in some cases the team's training tape of the game. Here is a direct quote from that article.

The rule might prove more difficult to implement than the NFL's replay review because, unlike the NFL, not every NHL game is televised. But league officials said that every NHL team tapes all of its games for training purposes and that video would be available to the goal judge.

You see, I'm not looking for perfection, just something (anything) better than what we have now. I know it's possible because the NHL started out with the same tools that are presently available (at NO EXTRA COST) to the MISL.

Let make a difference!!!

[SignGuyDino]

http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/its-a-conspiracy.jpg

[Sam Hill]

Just out of curiosity, big guy...what, exactly, would you propose be under the purview of MISL Instant Replay? Besides "Any Call That Goes Against The Baltimore Blast," that is?

You should (for once in your life) be honest and realistic: the MISL is a low-budget, low-rent, amateur-hour league, regardless of who's in charge of it. What you're proposing would not come as easily as you seem to think, and would not change the fact that Milwaukee beat Baltimore in the final this year.

What are you going to review? Fouls? Not happening. Penalties? Not happening. Whether a goal is a two or a three? Maybe. Given there were only 68 three-point goals in 50 games last season, I'm not sure this is an epidemic in need of a vaccine. Whether the ball crossed the goal line? How many times in a season do you think that's disputed, really? Get goal judges, it's easier.

Look, face it: your team outshot Milwaukee 31-12 and scored just three goals, the last a three-pointer with the extra attacker on. Your team had the only power play opportunity and didn't score on it. Given Milwaukee out-fouled Baltimore 16-6, that's a lot of extra free kicks the Blast got that the Wave didn't. How is that a problem for the Blast again?

Your team lost. It happens. You should grow up and get over it.

[BlastFan]

It's getting kind of old now Soc Man. I'll tell you I was a sore loser myself in awe of the fact they lost by so much (their seasonal records definitely did not portray the game IMO) and I deeply apologize to the users on this board for my sore loser-ness after the game. But its life, no one can win them all (or else it wouldn't be fun, would it?).

The Wave simply outplayed the Blast that game and they deserved the win. Besides Soc Man, they had been so many years without a championship it only seemed right they get revenge on the Blast one year. I mean do you honestly expect the Blast are going to go undefeated for the next few years? It never ever happens. And after the 1st place Wave lost to Monterrey the previous season in one lousy game, did you see Wave fans ranting on these boards that it shouldn't have been?

We're already approaching another season, and I tell you I can't wait. I'll finally get to make road trips again to Norfolk and Harisburg/Philly(?, if they come back.) I'm pumped up about it.

[Soccer-Man]

http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/its-a-conspiracy.jpg

C'mon, as bad as the officiating is in the MISL, not even I called it a conspiracy. Incompetence? Yes. Conspiracy? NO.

That being said, I'm sure that the other teams and even the USL were glad to see the BLAST have less points on the scoreboard that night.

[Soccer-Man]

Just out of curiosity, big guy...what, exactly, would you propose be under the purview of MISL Instant Replay? Besides "Any Call That Goes Against The Baltimore Blast," that is?

You should (for once in your life) be honest and realistic: the MISL is a low-budget, low-rent, amateur-hour league, regardless of who's in charge of it. What you're proposing would not come as easily as you seem to think, and would not change the fact that Milwaukee beat Baltimore in the final this year.

What are you going to review? Fouls? Not happening. Penalties? Not happening. Whether a goal is a two or a three? Maybe. Given there were only 68 three-point goals in 50 games last season, I'm not sure this is an epidemic in need of a vaccine. Whether the ball crossed the goal line? How many times in a season do you think that's disputed, really? Get goal judges, it's easier.

Look, face it: your team outshot Milwaukee 31-12 and scored just three goals, the last a three-pointer with the extra attacker on. Your team had the only power play opportunity and didn't score on it. Given Milwaukee out-fouled Baltimore 16-6, that's a lot of extra free kicks the Blast got that the Wave didn't. How is that a problem for the Blast again?

Your team lost. It happens. You should grow up and get over it.


I am so over the 2010 -2011 MISL Championship Game. My efforts is simply to get the officiating to a better place for the growth of the league.

You keep referencing my not giving the team from Wisconsin credit for that game. I have time and again and yet you still take me to task. I will say it again; the MISL Championship resides in the State of Wisconsin at the OLD MECCA Arena. Trust me when I say that I have moved on. The State of Wisconsin has the trophy.

As for instant replay, as I said before, just use what you have. No one is advocating the creation of an overly sophisticated system with multiple camara angles and all the gadgets of the NFL and NHL. Just use what you have. Look at the replay from the game footage which is instantly available and make the best call based on that. That's it. Lets all stop trying to make this into something it's not. The NHL did the same thing in the early days of their instant replay system.

As for what the MISl should use instant replay for:

1) Goals in question
2) Last touch of the ball, within 2 minutes
3) Hand balls
4) 2 point or 3 point goals
5) Three/two line rule (with all the changes, it's primed for instant replay)

PS: Maybe it's time to start grading the officials as well.

It's time to step into the future.

[tops804]

That being said, I'm sure that the other teams and even the USL were glad to see the BLAST have less points on the scoreboard that night.

In itself, that quote just defined why no one, whatsoever, has taken any of your 64 posts seriously...

[Soccer-Man]

It's getting kind of old now Soc Man. I'll tell you I was a sore loser myself in awe of the fact they lost by so much (their seasonal records definitely did not portray the game IMO) and I deeply apologize to the users on this board for my sore loser-ness after the game. But its life, no one can win them all (or else it wouldn't be fun, would it?).

The Wave simply outplayed the Blast that game and they deserved the win. Besides Soc Man, they had been so many years without a championship it only seemed right they get revenge on the Blast one year. I mean do you honestly expect the Blast are going to go undefeated for the next few years? It never ever happens. And after the 1st place Wave lost to Monterrey the previous season in one lousy game, did you see Wave fans ranting on these boards that it shouldn't have been?

We're already approaching another season, and I tell you I can't wait. I'll finally get to make road trips again to Norfolk and Harisburg/Philly(?, if they come back.) I'm pumped up about it.

You're right BlastFan and I have moved on. The team from Wisconsin has the trophy. I'm just trying to get the officiating to be better.

[Sam Hill]

That being said, I'm sure that the other teams and even the USL were glad to see the BLAST have less points on the scoreboard that night.

Other teams, I'm sure. Doubtful the USL cared. And it didn't send shockwaves through "the soccer world" despite what you seem to think about the global reach of the goings-on in the MISL.

But that's just a sentence you wrote there. It doesn't really mean anything. So what?

[Sam Hill]

I am so over the 2010 -2011 MISL Championship Game.

Then lose the asterisk. You're absolutely not over it until you do that.

My efforts is simply to get the officiating to a better place for the growth of the league.

And a poll on Oursportscentral.com is exactly the way to do that! BTW, two people have voted: you and wasteland. You're well on your way.

You keep referencing my not giving the team from Wisconsin credit for that game. I have time and again and yet you still take me to task. I will say it again; the MISL Championship resides in the State of Wisconsin at the OLD MECCA Arena. Trust me when I say that I have moved on. The State of Wisconsin has the trophy.

Good. Next time you whine about it, I'm going to reference this.

As for instant replay, as I said before, just use what you have. No one is advocating the creation of an overly sophisticated system with multiple camara angles and all the gadgets of the NFL and NHL. Just use what you have. Look at the replay from the game footage which is instantly available and make the best call based on that.

It's not "instantly available." Stop saying that.

That's it. Lets all stop trying to make this into something it's not. The NHL did the same thing in the early days of their instant replay system.

And they generated more money in hot dogs in one game than the MISL generates in a season.


As for what the MISl should use instant replay for:

1) Goals in question


Okay. Who gets to decide what's "in question?"

2) Last touch of the ball, within 2 minutes

Talk about slowing the ball down for something inconsequential. Holy cow.

3) Hand balls

See above.

4) 2 point or 3 point goals
5) Three/two line rule (with all the changes, it's primed for instant replay)


I can see 2-point or 3-point goals, but, again, there's just over one three-pointer a game.

PS: Maybe it's time to start grading the officials as well.

You're assuming this doesn't happen.

It's time to step into the future.

As soon as you let go of the past.

[Soccer-Man]

In itself, that quote just defined why no one, whatsoever, has taken any of your 64 posts seriously...

As a fan of the MISL, I strongly disliked only one team more than the Wisconsin Team, and that was the San Diego Sockers.

The MISL enjoys the blood rivalry between the Blast and Team Wisconsin. It will also enjoy the renewed hatred between Wichita and Kansas City. For any league to survive, it needs meaningful rivalries. So for the Surviving MISL teams, the rivalries are in place.

Hopefully, the I-League teams can add to this. Maybe Rochester and Syracuse can form a rivalry. As for Norfolk, they are close to Baltimore and maybe can form a match up with the Blast.

The above being said, I won't apologize for my dislike of Wisconsin's soccer team. Love it or not, the MISL needs more passionate rivalries. That was part of the selling point of the old days.

Baltimore/San Diego
San Diego/Dallas
Wichita/Kansas City
Kansas City/St. Louis
Cleveland/Baltimore

[tops804]

As a fan of the MISL, I strongly disliked only one team more than the Wisconsin Team, and that was the San Diego Sockers.

Both, perpetual winners. Your hardly a charter member of a class who "dislike(s)" them. It's common in any team sport.

The MISL enjoys the blood rivalry between the Blast and Team Wisconsin. It will also enjoy the renewed hatred between Wichita and Kansas City. For any league to survive, it needs meaningful rivalries. So for the Surviving MISL teams, the rivalries are in place.

Blood? Hatred? This isn't the NFL, Raiders/Cowboys, Browns/Steelers. It's simply more intense because they are both in the same region. The only "blood" that the MISL will really see is when an owner donates some to meet payroll.

Hopefully, the I-League teams can add to this. Maybe Rochester and Syracuse can form a rivalry. As for Norfolk, they are close to Baltimore and maybe can form a match up with the Blast.

Hopefully? Maybe? Fine words. As in "hopefully", the girls in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue will come knocking on my door and say they've been looking for me their entire lives. "Maybe", I will find a million dollars someday. Give it up...They will only form a rivalry, if they stay in the league long enough to do so...

The above being said, I won't apologize for my dislike of Wisconsin's soccer team.

Nor will anyone lose any sleep because you don't.

Love it or not, the MISL needs more passionate rivalries. That was part of the selling point of the old days.

No it wasn't. Cable television and suburban sprawling were.

[Sam Hill]

For any league to survive, it needs meaningful rivalries.

Name for me a meaningful WNBA rivalry, please.

Name for me a meaningful Major League Lacrosse rivalry, please.

Name for me a meaningful Arena Football League rivalry, please.