“Some of this is improperly fueled by the media, and by coaches and players who try to mask their own shortcomings by putting blame on the officials, “ says Rodriguez. “I have the data to back this up: the level of mistakes made by refs is not any greater than those made by the combatants. The thing is, there is a lack of perspective, and we are at a point in time where across the world, all the ills of the game are blamed on the men in the middle.”
“I remember reading years ago an article about Carlos Valderrama that pointed out why he was so good,” says Tamberino.
“He always thought two plays ahead and moved to where the ball would be. Well, if the best player in the world at the time is thinking two plays ahead, we have to be three plays ahead. And we have to do that while being above the intensity level of the players on the field -- because getting into that intensity is how some refs get into problems. And, this is a difficult job, especially with all the cameras. What we have to do is more homework than ever.”
There’s a lot more homework for a ref than fans realize -- they don’t just show up with a whistle. Before the game, refs are expected to research the teams and the players, learn about the style of the teams and the type of play the league wants to encourage, discuss with other colleagues how previous encounters went, identify troublesome players, and keep up with the latest directives from FIFA, their regional federation, the national governing body, and the league.
Possible aids for refs -- video replay, goal-line technology -- appear to be blindingly obvious in an era when anyone with a cell phone can parse a match. The problem, according to both men, is that the technology needed to preserve the essential nature of a soccer game isn’t there yet.
“On a personal level, I advocate the introduction of technology. I think it’s only a matter of time, and it will happen worldwide,” says Rodriguez. “[MLS] is willing to offer anything that would enhance the game. We are not afraid to be leaders and innovators.
“Having said that, we are getting close to the point where the technology can run without glitches, and offer near-instantaneous feedback -- I’d call that inside five seconds -- but we are not close to where we have figured out how to institute it without bastardizing the game. Soccer is fluid and dynamic, and we are very, very sensitive to that.”
Tamberino has been part of these past experiments, and says he still doesn’t know what best can be done.
“We tried having two refs during the Open Cup in 1998 and it didn’t work. We couldn’t cover the field and communicate well. We tried microchips in balls at a U-17 tournament, and some goal-line tech in a U-20. You might remember we brought in foreign refs into MLS at one point, and we had a game where [Scottish ref Hugh Dallas] handed out 13 cards. The bottom line is everyone wants the refs to get it right and have the help they need. But I’m not sure yet what the answer is.”
“Today’s players are stronger, the shoes are better, the shots are faster and the ball is lighter,” adds Tamberino. “And, yeah, we’re not perfect. If refs didn’t make mistakes, then it would be a perfect world. But we learn from those mistakes. That’s how a ref succeeds. We grow and we correct them. Just as anyone else does.”
Jamie Trecker is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the UEFA Champions League and European football.
