It's been more than a decade since the Premier League first introduced goal-line technology. The Hawkeye system uses multiple cameras to track the ball and alert referees in real time if the ball has crossed the goal line.
On Saturday night, Minnesota United probably wished MLS would embrace technology too.
Will Trapp's 34th-minute shot probably didn't cross the line. Looking at the replay, it looked like the ball only went halfway. Jordan Adebayo-Smith's header in the 99th minute also probably did not cross the line. Houston goalie Steve Clark made a sprawling save and flicked the ball into the top corner, but there was no camera angle to see if he made the save before the entire ball crossed the goal line.
But “probably” is far from “definitely.”
Trapp was making the most of his chances, but he had no intention of scoring. “I think it was a close call,” he said, drawing out his last words to show just how close it was. “Without goal-line technology, you're going to be working off-camera. For me, I think we'll just follow what they decide, but I don't think it's over all.”
Given that MLS just endured a suspension of referees fighting over every penny, it seems unlikely that they will be able to come up with the money to install the Hawkeye system in their 29 stadiums any time soon.
No one associated with Minnesota United argued that goal-line technology would or should give the home team the extra point. “If they were crossing the line, it would be great to have something that would automatically tell us that,” Loons coach Eric Ramsey said. “I don't look at it from the angle that it needs to be, but there's some kind of trust in the officials and they're doing their job.”
But as MLS continues its efforts to become a world-class league, it's one more thing the league needs to add to its list of highlights. Goal line technology is one of the few ways technology has improved soccer officiating, and it's almost certainly better to know than to force referees and video assistant referees to make decisions by looking at imperfect camera angles. It would be much better. .
Bacharach makes first team debut
The Loons were without starting left center back Mickey Tapias and veteran backup Zarek Valentin due to injury. Starting left-back Josef Rosales was suspended for a red card, leaving the defense with few options on the left.
Ultimately, their decision was to push young defender Devin Padelford back to his natural fullback position and give 22-year-old rookie centre-back Hugo Bacharach, the ninth pick in December's MLS SuperDraft, his debut. The idea was to give up my seat. Bacharach could not officially sign until March due to administrative issues, and the Spaniard last played in Minnesota colors until Saturday, when he played for the Loons' second team, MNUFC2, in a 2-0 loss to the Michigan Stars last week. It was just one game. US Open Cup.
“It's not easy to come in and make your debut against a team that takes care of the ball and challenges you,” Trapp said. “It's his first game and he should be proud of it.”
Bacharach comes to the Loons with both Big Ten and European pedigree. His collegiate career included his one year at Indiana University (as well as his three years at Fairleigh Dickinson), but prior to his collegiate career he played in the youth ranks of Spanish giants Villarreal. I belonged to the academy.
“Of course, like any debut, I was a little nervous at first, but my teammates did a great job helping me and letting me know that I was good enough to be where I am.” Bacharach said of captain Michael. Vauxhall helped him “like an older brother”.
He did a reliable job on his debut, making a strong and legal tackle on attacker Latif Blessing in the first 15 minutes. But Houston's second goal won't be on the highlight reel. Striker Sebastian Kowalczyk was one-on-one with Bacharach, toying with defenders and firing a long-range shot past Dane St. Clair for the winning goal.
“He did a really, really good job,” Ramsey said. “There were some small moments, but there [would] I think maybe he would make a different decision or use the ball in a different way, but mainly for an MLS debut it was really impressive. ”
Raynorshaw in a jersey too
Before the game, I thought I'd chat with some fans still wearing MNUFC's AWOL star's jersey and talk to some Emmanuel Reynoso followers.
The only problem? Find someone wearing a Reynoso jersey.
There was no one waiting at the players' entrance before the gates opened. An hour before kickoff, the stadium's Blue Hall was empty. Before I found someone to wear the Loons' current number 10 shirt, I found someone to wear the number 10 for both Lionel Messi and Loons legend Miguel Ibarra.
Eventually, I tracked down fan Pat Benner, who pointed out that he doesn't have the best background in picking players for Loons jerseys. “My jersey before this one was Francisco Calvo,” he said.
Benner tried to see the best in Reynoso, noting that if he leaves to get his green card, he must be planning on staying in MLS for a while. But in the end, he couldn't stay positive anymore. “perhaps [Reynoso] “I feel like he's too big for the club,” he said.
