In the Week 30 edition of MLSSoccer.com’s “Instant Replay” segment, Editor-In-Chief Simon Borg breaks down the controversial penalty kicks and red cards issued in the Seattle Sounders’ 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday.
Borg says the penalties awarded first to Vancouver’s Alphonso Davies and then Seattle’s Brad Evans were the correct calls, the former coming on an Oniel Fisher foul in the box and the latter on a Jordan Harvey handball.
The Whitecaps’ Pedro Morales, who converted their PK, was sent off for an elbow to the face of Cristian Roldan. Evans, who converted Seattle’s, was also given marching orders for what referee Ricardo Salazar deemed an attempted headbutt on David Edgar.
Of Evans’ play, Borg says, “Whether it connects or not, that’s a red card for violent conduct, no question to me.”
After the match, Evans voiced his discontent with the decision, claiming, “I never made contact with him.”
Borg also notes two other incidents where two Vancouver players, Davies and Blas Perez, very well could have been sent off. Davies stepped hard over the ball and onto Fisher’s ankle, and Perez shoved down Herculez Gomez before stomping and kicking Gomez while he was on the ground.
Do you agree with Borg’s assessment of the Evans red card? Leave your replies in the comments below.
