Photo by Patricia Giobetti/ISIphotos.com
In his brief time as a head coach, Portland Timbers boss John Spencer has made it quite clear that he won't hide his feelings.
Weeks after having a war of words with Seattle coach Sigi Schmid, Spencer publicly criticized referee Abby Okulaja and his crew for their series of decisions in Portland's 1-0 loss to Colorado on Saturday. Among other things, Spencer took issue with Drew Moor's game-winning goal, which he thought should have been disallowed for a Rapid being offside; a missed handball call that would have yielded the Timbers a penalty kick; and his being sent off at the end of the game for remarks made to the fourth official.
"When guys are making decisions that change careers and changes the course of games, then (they) must explain (their) actions," Spencer told The Oregonian. "I'm a passionate guy and I'm going to get involved in the game," Spencer said. "And I'm going to call (out) the referee when I think it's a bad call."
Video of all of Spencer's comments is after the jump:
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What do you think of Spencer's comments?
Share your thoughts below.
The thing that bothers me most is that MLS seems to have no plan for improving the quality of refereeing in the league. We have been saddled with the same inconsistant referees for years, but I have never seen any information on MLS doing anything to help them improve.
wei man?
He’ll probably get fined, but he’s absolutely correct in his assessment of the officials. They were awful. Not only was Colorado offside on that goal, they had TWO players in an offside position once the ball rebounded off the keeper. It’s not even close. Simply horrible no-call by the linesman…
With all the offensive talent, Portland shouldn’t have been in a position to lose at home…And now Spencer want to blame the refs…childish
Here’s an idea, how about “relegation / promotion” for USSF refs? Every year, fans / players /coaches etc. get to vote one referee to be demoted.
As it is, tenure holds onto incompetence.
KFC special!
I have long wondered about this. Why not also use some quick video reply on other approriate plays, like on goal kicks that should have been corners or vice versa? Could prod positive change in the soccer world and also help make the game more attractive to the American fan. Reduces the Luddite factor.
I can only guess that the US is too scared to risk upsetting FIFA…
Lol sorry Josh, I just saw your post in the other thread about the +1. I really thought you were being sarcastic…
Sigi was using the weather as an excuse, something nobody can control. Spencer is talking about the refs (a league wide problem), which can be fixed.
But yeah, at some point it starts to sound like excuses.
I think there are some in Portland that would agree with you. I agree with you and I love the Timbers. But there are many in Portland in love with the guy, so at the moment he gets the benefit of the doubt from many Portland faithful.
Score some goals and the ref doesn’t matter. The refs stink, but every team in MLS has to deal with it.
Why would it matter? You’d need at least three attempts to actually score anyways.
Uh, John, it’s hard to catch a team offside when you have a defender standing in the goal mouth next to your keeper, as you did on the Rapids goal.
Micheal Kennedy
What?
That is an excellent idea- MLS should lead the world in adopting technology to officiating. that is something we actually could lead the world in, and would be a great benefit to the league
If i heard correctly he commented about officials in other sports get criticized. that is not true. NFL coaches cant criticize refs either – I could be wrong but i think that rule holds in all major sports – you get fined for criticizing refs.
On the face of it, his argument makes sense, but when you think bout it, if the ref comes out and states “i blew the call , I’m sorry” where does that leave us. Everyone feels even worse because the win seems ilegitimate -according to the official.
This is an issue in all sports, and most soccer leages. think of how many lousy calls we saw in the world cup – its not just MLS.
I DO think refs should have to state what they called. I hate the phantom call (US world cup free kick) that never even gets an explanation. It seems reasonable to ask the refs to state what they saw and how they thought it was a rule infraction.
The reffing is terrible and what is worse we can all recall when our team was screwed over, however most of us can’t name too many times that we benefited from the calls.
The reffing is terrible, but it is terrible for everyone.
Terry Vaughn is close
Looks like Spencer isn’t the only one that needs a tissue.
Kennedy blew a no-call in KC last week. Everybody but him apparently saw it. didn’t Abbey and Kennedy get suspended a year or two ago for “fitness issues”? Maybe they need to check their “fitness” again…..
What does +1 mean???
Not even close. Toledo by far.
No kidding… It’s no surprise to anyone that the MLS refs need to UP their game to keep up with the players. I’d also like for the MLS to be the 1st league to adopt “Video Line” technology to review every play that resulted in a goal or penalty kick but… John Spencer of all people, who has been around the game probably since the day he was born sure and knows it better than most of us, he sure sounds like he’s making excuses…
+1000000
Hey John, do you need a tissue?
When RSL played Portland, Arturo Alvarez was clearly brought down in the box, clear penalty, ref does nothing. Portland wins the game after playing 11 men behind the ball for the entire second half on their narrow plastic pitch. Kreis didn’t complain about the refs or the narrow plastic pitch. The refs are getting better, the poor performers should be noted and moved out of the rotation.
Players and coaches should be able to criticize the officials. How will the officiating ever get better if there is no criticism?
All that said it’s still good to have an Ian Holloway in the MLS.
He’s got the right. However, is this the same guy who slammed Sigi, saying his team wouldn’t make excuses? Whatever’s convenient, I guess…
But I thought portland doesn’t make excuses? Sounds like you are making a lot of excuses John. It’s all good when the bad calls go in your favor but when they don’t, suddenly the bad officiating is the reason for your loss.
The little guy needs to learn how to keep his cool if he wants to actually stay on the sideline this season. Anger management issues much?
I was at the game. The ref was unfit and some calls were puzzling, if not outright terrible. The fourth official admitting to “make up calls” is a travesty. Timbers have been awarded only one pk this year despite drawing a lot of fouls, how is that possible? Happy Spencer is sticking up for his team and league players in general because the problem is MLS wide.
Thst said, as a Timbers fan I would rather see some goals scored in the run of play and perhaps a change in tactics.
Abby Okulaja = Worst Ref in the League.
Welcome to the MLS, in a close game every team can find one terrible call that kept them from scoring.
It took me into the Sounders third season to accept that it is going to happen, I wish it didn’t.
Go back to last thursday when KC was robbed of a PK attempt, in Seattle you could argue Fucito should have been awarded a PK.
It will even out at some point.
He’s right! No criticizing these comments. MLS needs to take a serious look at how these games are officiated.
How is Abby Okulaja still allowed to ref in this league? That guy would be in over his head in a U8 rec league. Whenever I see him in a game, I change the channel.
I’m a Sounders fan but have to admit I love this guy.