Last night, in the US Open Cup final, DC United goalkeeper Josh Wicks faced a dilemma. He had just given up the first goal of the match in the 67th minute. Fredy Montero beat Wicks to a second ball and slotted home just before tumbling over the charging Wicks. It was at this time that Wicks had to make a quick decision. Would he:
A) Retrieve the ball out of the nest for a quick restart?
B) Argue with the official about Montero being offside?
C) Get up quickly and run over to Montero, hop in the air, and come down with both feet into Montero’s midsection/thigh, then argue vehemently with the ref that nothing of the sort happened?
D) Cry?
Let’s go to the video and find out.
The answer was C), of course. Who wouldn’t follow that course of action?
This most unprofessional of fouls got Wicks sent off, but not immediately. It seems the referee was too busy admiring the big clock at RFK, or something, because he missed the incident entirely. According to Bretos, it was the fourth official who alerted the referee to the problem. The referee then sent Wicks off.
Now, what we don’t have video of is Wicks’ reaction to his red card. Wicks was apoplectic over being sent off and argued with the referee, including touching and grabbing him a couple of times, before leaving the pitch after a couple of minutes. To his credit, the referee kept his cool while being jostled, even appearing to say to Wicks something along the lines of “what do you want me to do about it? Just go.” Eventually, Wicks did.
None of this would be complete without the tweets of a fellow pro. Taylor Twellman, probably looking for his Kick Medic commercial on FSC, had the following to say:
While technically correct, the fact that this comes from MLS’s Douchiest Player (™-Spectator) blunts its impact.
Oh, and Seattle Sounders won the Open Cup. At least I think they did. I turned it off at 2-0 to watch Glee instead.
Douchier than Matt Reis? That guy whines more than Ronaldo.
Definitely not defending Wicks – it was stupid as hell – but there was another angle from behind the goal that clearly showed his right foot never made contact with Montero’s body. In fact, while his left leg clearly touched the ground his right leg remained somewhat bent, indicating he wasn’t trying to stomp down. And if he did he maybe hit his hand but definitely not his body.
Add to that that Montero rolled into his path (also clearly shown from behind the goal) and made a meal of it and I can see why he was perterbed.
But again – he’s a dumb ass for doing a two footed hop next to a player on the ground in any case.
From that angle, it looks like he jumps over the dude. I will reserve judgement until I see a version from another angle that wasn’t shot through a screen door.
To the last two comments–I thought much the same thing, especially as Montero had to get “attention” for his calf area. But still, he made contact, and in that situation, it’s a red card.
I agree, it didn’t look like there was a whole lot of contact, if any at all. Plus it’s not unheard of for Montero to make a meal of things.
But still, how stupid can Wicks get? What was the best case scenario there? Add to that the fact that he got into a shouting match with his own defender last week, and you have to think it could be the last time he sees an MLS pitch for a while.
Again though, doesn’t this drag us back into the whole 4th official / video monitor debate. The referee clearly didn’t see the incident happen live, so how did he hear about it?
@I agree with Hockalees. /searching for another angle. Looks like he jumped over or if he caught him, meant to jump over.
From the linesman whose view was obscured by Montero’s body.
Wicks is an idiot but he didn’t stomp on him.
Ah, but footy officials and governing bodies are now masters of intent, and Wicks clearly intended to stomp on poor Fredy.
Even if he missed him it is still violent conduct and worthy of the send off.
I would like to submit Pat Onstad as the douchiest player. Some defender absolutely wrecks an a attacked and pat will always run up and scream at the player then the ref for having the temerity to actually call a foul.
Pat Onstad can’t be the douchiest player. To compare a player to a cleansing product for vaginas, the player must have at least been able to try and lock down said vaginas over the past 10-20 years…
Onstad is approaching 50. He probably has no clue what “douche” even means.
Agreeing with Army Of Dad here. I just watched the video, and the first thing I thought was that he actually didn’t ‘land’ on him.
Regardless, it’s an asshole move and if any of the officials on the pitch saw something like that, they’re going to card your ass, irrespective of whether you made contact.
Dumbass.
@Army of Dad. Bryan Gunn used to run at the goal when coming onto the pitch, he would then jump and head (missing by inches) under the bar. One day he might of missed and knocked himself out, he didn’t though. I also thought about punching a man listening to Whitney Houston at 500 decibels on the subway this am, I slightly raised my arm but didn’t hit him.
But in your scenario, raising your arm is equal to simply walking over to Montero. Taking a swing at the Whitney fan, even if you completely miss him, would still put you in a bit of trouble no?
Ryan has it exactly right. Ned, what if he had just swung a fist, but still missed Montero? Deliberately kick at, but miss a player? All are examples of violent conduct and all straight red cards, regardless of contact.
In this case he is even looking down right at the man and is deliberately trying to stomp on him. It is a well deserved red card. I watched most of the game and the ref seemed to have done an excellent job punishing misconduct throughout the match.
regardless of whether he made contact, it is quite clear in the Laws of the game that a player will be sent off if he kick or ATTEMPTS to kick (in this case kick was chosen over strike, either way its the same result). i will be absolutley appalled if he escapes some sort of ban…
@Ned: maybe if he did hit his head he would never have managed Norwich. make of that what you will.
What are the consequences for Wick for his actions? Will the governing body that has control over this type of behavior take action or will it look the other way and by doing so condone this type of behavior. This is a side of sports that needs and demands a response. There is no way that this type of behavior should be allowed to go unpunished in any league or any sport. The european player got baned for taking a dive in a game which pails in comparison to this behavior. I will be watching to see if any and an appropriate action is taken and I doubt I will be alone.
Last year Blanco punched somebody in a game, he was suspended but only from US Open Cup matches. No MLS sanctions if I recall correctly.
‘Tis true. Blanco’s suspension was for two years from the US Open Cup.