Everything you need to know about the beautiful game of football.
Here's the reason why I love football so much: it's continuous. Unlike American football, golf, tennis, and baseball, it barely has breaks. The players are free to play, well, free. There are some stops: fouls, throw-ins, corner kicks and penalty kicks. However, those barely ever take long. Also, they're part of the game, so in a way, it's still continuous. However, many domestic leagues in the United States are attempting to implement an aspect in the game that would- at points- slow the game down. Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer League have made an intention to implement video replays in football. It was used during a USL match between the New York Red Bulls II and Orlando City B. In the match, the head referee- Ismail Elfath- communicated with the video assistant referee (VAR) about two controversial calls. The first was when Orlando City B's Conor Donovan committed a foul on Junior Flemings, right outside the penalty box, but still close enough for a scoring opportunity. Elfath used the video replay and made his call, giving Donovan a straight red card, which sent him out of the match. All of this happened in the 36' minute, with still plenty of game left. Later in the 82' minute of the match, Elfath used the replay again to see if a red card should be shown to Orlando City B's Kyle McFadden. McFadden made a challenge on the ball, and was looking at a red card. However, after the replay, Elfath only gave McFadden a yellow card (a warning, of sorts. Two yellow cards equal one red card). For five more matches in their season, the New York Red Bulls II used video replay. Personally, I think the use of video replay is good. I don't think it should be over-used. For example, referees are trained to know when to give a player a red card or a yellow card. Video replay shouldn't be used each time the referee is about to hand out a card. I like video replay for determining if a penalty in the box is worth a penalty kick. Today, Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted Fiorentina at Borussia-Park. It was their first leg match of their Europa League games. During the match, Gladbach forward Patrick Herrmann was fouled in the penalty area by Fiorentina's Maxi Olivera. However, the referee said to keep going. In that stance, video replay would have been perfect. Fans back at home saw on the screen that Olivera's challenge was indeed worth a penalty kick. Video replay is something that domestic football in the United States should spearhead. Maybe other nations will take note, and video replays will be used there. One can only hope, especially with the plentiful amounts of technology and cameras in those arenas. Information on the video replay from NYRB II vs. Orlando City B can be found by clicking here.
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Welcome to "Kicking It With McKriger." I want to introduce you a bit to myself, and what I hope to get out of doing this blog.
My name is Rachael McKriger. I'm 20 years young, and a former goalkeeper. I love this sport. Since I'm from Europe (born in Moscow, Russia), I call this by it's real name: Football. Not soccer. Either way, no matter what it's called, I love this sport. I've been glued to football since I was young. When I wasn't playing in youth leagues in the summer, I was watching games. The MLS was fairly new when I was growing up, and it only became more popular. As I ventured through middle school and high school, the game started gaining more followers and more popularity as the years went by. Now, football seems to be a new wave of excitement in United States. While it might not be the first thing on the TV in the bars, it is gaining momentum. I've been to plenty of games, in-person, enough to see that the sport is growing. I was a part of two record-setting United States Women's National Team games, and one sold-out United States Men's National Team game. If you read anything about the Copa America Centenario from 2016, which was hosted in the United States, you would know that the sport is at the highest it's ever been. Look at Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League. The expansion teams keep coming for the two different leagues. Also, the NWSL is one of the top three most respected women's leagues in the world. That's quite an accomplishment for a women's league in the United States. There have been multiple attempts to get one going, and many have failed. However, the NWSL lives on. However, I'm not just about domestic soccer in the United States- I'm not like Bruce Arena folks. I love European soccer. My favorite league happens to be the German Bundesliga. I love the American presence in Germany- i.e. Fabian Johnson, John Brooks, Aron Jóhannsson, Bobby Wood, Timothy Chandler, Alfredo Morales and Terrance Boyd- and just the style of German football. Even that league is growing in the United States, as Fox Sports is broadcasting their matches. What I want people to get out of this blog is not just breaking news stories and boring game recaps. I want them to interject their thoughts, see some killer goals and read opinion pieces and possibly even argue with me. I can't wait to learn even more about football with everyone, and possibly even get in friendly fights about our favorite players and favorite clubs. (Also, for your viewing pleasure, I have my "Favorites" listed below). Let's talk some footy. Shall we? -Rachael McKriger F A V O R I T E S Favorite League: Bundesliga (Germany) Favorite Bundesliga Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach Favorite Bundesliga Players: Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic, Thomas Muller, Oscar Wendt and Javier Hernández "Chicharito." Favorite MLS Team: Seattle Sounders FC Favorite MLS Players: Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Brad Evans, Jordan Morris, Matt Besler and Axel Sjoberg. Favorite NWSL Team: Washington Spirit Favorite NWSL Players: Ali Krieger, Megan Oyster, Angela Salem, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Caprice Dydasco. Favorite English Premier League Team: Stoke City Favorite EPL Players: Geoff Cameron, DeAndre Yedlin, Granit Xhaka, Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard and Mesut Ozil. Favorite National Teams: U.S. Men's and Women's, Russia Men's and Women's and Brazi's Women's NT. Favorite National Team Players: Ali Krieger, Fabian Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Marta, Poliana, Andressa Alves, Christian Pulisic, Brad Evans and Michael Bradley. |
About Me
20-year-old football enthusiast living in the United States. I try to get Americans to say "football" and not "soccer." Archives
May 2017
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