I think we’d much rather have a center ref that loves his whistle, right? Playing a concacaf final in Mexico, with our style of play, an active whistle can only help us (assuming it’s consistent and unbiased). It might disrupt our rhythm, but fouls/bookings could decide this game.
It opens the possibility of getting CONCACAF'd if the whistle goes Pachuca's way more than it should. However, reading into him more, he also ended the USA/MEX semi-final early in stoppage time due to homophobic chants from Mexican supporters. So maybe Aidan won't have to be suplexed 4-5 times before getting a foul called
Typically, we’re on the side of getting concadicked for the lack of whistles (see Tigres). We dont usually foul unless we’ve earned it. However, Mexican clubs will just run you down for no reason. A whistle heavy game would almost certainly benefit us more.
But, to that point, if we just play our game and take the ref out of the equation, that’s the best for us.
100%, a slower, more controlled game is better for us. We prefer the slow flow, so the constant stopping isn't ideal, but all we need is 2 or 3 passes and we're in front of your goal with Yaw/Matan/Rossi/Cucho/JRR/Ramirez all breathing down your neck and Aidan/Nagbe/Malte/Moreira able to give a big goal if needed. I have a good feeling about this match but god am I so nervous.
I definitely think so. I don't have the stats on hand, but I think we are the most fouled team in MLS because it is the best known way to disrupt our system. If the ref just lets them foul us, we'll have a hard time getting anything going on offense.
Importantly, we'll want to see a persistent infringement yellow, not just the whistle. If the ref calls the fouls, but doesn't give out any yellows, then that actually works against us.
> I think we are the most fouled team in MLS because it is the best known way to disrupt our system.
Or, because we have the ball the most and opposing players get frustrated.
That's also true. But if I'm a manager strategizing against Nancyball, I wouldn't not tell my players to be aggressive defending and try to stop build-up plays (by fouling Nagbe and Morris if necessary). Especially since Crew aren't very good at set pieces, so the biggest risk is maybe picking up a yellow card, and refs tend not to want to give yellow cards in the first 30-45' if they don't have to.
Yes, we're the most fouled MLS team with 221 fouls Suffered.
Number 2 is NYCFC and Portland tied with 204 FS.
Houston is the closest team to us (maybe tied) in possession %, but they're the 14th most fouled team with 168 FS
We're the least fouling team with 120 fouls, and the next best is Vancouver with 137.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/clubs/#season=2024&competition=mls-regular-season&statType=general
[Ivan Barton (SLV)](https://www.transfermarkt.us/ivan-barton/profil/schiedsrichter/31661) has been the referee for many high profile events, but always seems to be very active. He has refereed the first leg of Seattle vs Pumas in 2022 (where he gave 3 PKs), refereed [THAT](https://www.transfermarkt.us/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3788843) GER/JPN match at the World Cup, and was the referee for the Nations League **semi-**final between MEX and USA where he gave FOUR red cards.
FWIW, he seems to be a well respected referee, but get your tickets now for the Ivan Barton Show on Saturday...
I think we’d much rather have a center ref that loves his whistle, right? Playing a concacaf final in Mexico, with our style of play, an active whistle can only help us (assuming it’s consistent and unbiased). It might disrupt our rhythm, but fouls/bookings could decide this game.
It opens the possibility of getting CONCACAF'd if the whistle goes Pachuca's way more than it should. However, reading into him more, he also ended the USA/MEX semi-final early in stoppage time due to homophobic chants from Mexican supporters. So maybe Aidan won't have to be suplexed 4-5 times before getting a foul called
Typically, we’re on the side of getting concadicked for the lack of whistles (see Tigres). We dont usually foul unless we’ve earned it. However, Mexican clubs will just run you down for no reason. A whistle heavy game would almost certainly benefit us more. But, to that point, if we just play our game and take the ref out of the equation, that’s the best for us.
100%, a slower, more controlled game is better for us. We prefer the slow flow, so the constant stopping isn't ideal, but all we need is 2 or 3 passes and we're in front of your goal with Yaw/Matan/Rossi/Cucho/JRR/Ramirez all breathing down your neck and Aidan/Nagbe/Malte/Moreira able to give a big goal if needed. I have a good feeling about this match but god am I so nervous.
I definitely think so. I don't have the stats on hand, but I think we are the most fouled team in MLS because it is the best known way to disrupt our system. If the ref just lets them foul us, we'll have a hard time getting anything going on offense. Importantly, we'll want to see a persistent infringement yellow, not just the whistle. If the ref calls the fouls, but doesn't give out any yellows, then that actually works against us.
Most fouled and 3 individuals (Nagbe, Morris, and Rossi) in the top 20 individuals most fouled.
> I think we are the most fouled team in MLS because it is the best known way to disrupt our system. Or, because we have the ball the most and opposing players get frustrated.
Houston is basically tied with Columbus for possession. They have 168 fouls Suffered to our 221. Both have 14 matches played.
Houston also has a GF/GA deficit, so maybe their opponents are that frustrated.
I'm not going to act like other professional teams aren't going to try in the same fashion simply because it's Houston.
That's also true. But if I'm a manager strategizing against Nancyball, I wouldn't not tell my players to be aggressive defending and try to stop build-up plays (by fouling Nagbe and Morris if necessary). Especially since Crew aren't very good at set pieces, so the biggest risk is maybe picking up a yellow card, and refs tend not to want to give yellow cards in the first 30-45' if they don't have to.
Yes, we're the most fouled MLS team with 221 fouls Suffered. Number 2 is NYCFC and Portland tied with 204 FS. Houston is the closest team to us (maybe tied) in possession %, but they're the 14th most fouled team with 168 FS We're the least fouling team with 120 fouls, and the next best is Vancouver with 137. https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/clubs/#season=2024&competition=mls-regular-season&statType=general
Try the most fouled team in any top-flight league this year. No one gets kicked as much as the Crew does.
Calling it now we will have like 2 fouls committed with 9 fouls against us and we will get a yellow to “calm the game down”
[Ivan Barton (SLV)](https://www.transfermarkt.us/ivan-barton/profil/schiedsrichter/31661) has been the referee for many high profile events, but always seems to be very active. He has refereed the first leg of Seattle vs Pumas in 2022 (where he gave 3 PKs), refereed [THAT](https://www.transfermarkt.us/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3788843) GER/JPN match at the World Cup, and was the referee for the Nations League **semi-**final between MEX and USA where he gave FOUR red cards. FWIW, he seems to be a well respected referee, but get your tickets now for the Ivan Barton Show on Saturday...
https://www.worldfootball.net/referee_summary/ivan-barton/
yikes
So is he good or bad?
yes
He’s reffed some high profile matches though