Conrad put himself in a position to get yellow carded in both cases, particularly in the second case. as there was a deliberateness to both fouls. But in both cases it appeared that the Honduran “dove” in order to ensure a foul call, and this should also be rewarded with a caution, IMO. It certainly shouldn’t be rewarded in the way that it commonly is today.

“Ricardo Clark, Michael Bradley, and Sacha Kljestan also have been ejected for fouls that are run of play in MLS.”

Run of play? All of those fouls would likely be cautioned in MLS. That fact that they earned reds is questionable from the point of view of this MLS viewer, but you are entitled to your own opinion.

“So it’s not surprising that MLS referees, who officiate a different standard of play, were not selected as World Cup referees.”

Are you refereeing to MLS standard of play, which is clearly inferior to the top world leagues, or the standard of MLS refereeing, which presumably is the subject of this article? I suspect the former has a lot to do with the fact that Americans referees are not in the World Cup.

The other reason is, there just aren’t any standout American referees at this time. It doesn’t surprise me that no American was selected for the World Cup.

What is the point of showing the Serioux tackle on Beckham? Was this game refereed by a non-USSF referee? Because the Dallas player, Adrian Serioux, was sent off in Dallas for that tackle against Beckham. It seems counter to your thesis, unless the point of the video was to show how reckless MLS players can be.

FWIW, Baldomero Toledo reffed that game, and he is one of the US’ best.

I really wish more refs would watch the week in review and pay greater attention to the directives issued by USSF. It would make it easier for those of us who do.

Truth be told, the problem extends from the MLS to College to Youth soccer and permiates the game in USA. Its impacts player development as well due to physicality overwhelming skill and technique.