FanNation - The Republic of Sport

how odd. a team playing for a draw when they are forced to play on the worst surface in the league. /sarc
Is he serious?

Sithomeandrot - what does playing on turf have to do with diving? If you actually saw the game you would know what Carver was talking about.

I wish yellow cards could be issued for players after officials watch the game on tape and determine which players have legitimately been fouled and which have simply thrown themselves to the ground. Nothing worse than seeing a player fall to the ground because he can't go any further with the ball or because he's dribbled himself into trouble. Especially good players that get protection from officials anyway. Big, strong guys that fall over if you breath on them drives me insane.

If you give the cards after the game, there is potential that the player/team does end up getting their just punishment through accumlated disciplinary points. But they still may have gained an immediate advantage, seeing that as worth it in the balance.

is this really news to carver? yeah, real surprised that there's diving going on in soccer.

sadly diving has become an epidemic. some of it, unfortunately, comes from certain national styles (some represented on the crew roster). rolling around on the ground after an "apparent" foul has become an artform for some players. it has taken away from the beauty, competetiveness, and the physicality of football. no wonder people who don't understand the sport and only see those instances laugh and would rather watch football or baseball (yawn!) - SAD! whining and griping should also be punished more quickly. i'm sick and tired of seeing every "nudge" and tackle questioned...

second reference to football is "american football." sorry!

"Pink" card - I LOVE IT!!

let's bring out the pink card in mls play... that'll win respect for the league! lol

love the velcro idea... sweet... talk about shame!

What should be the punishment if a player gets sent off for flopping?

Is the turf at BMO Field really THAT bad?!? Seriously, I know players have complained about it and people like sithomeandrot bring it up on occasion, but is the problem real or reputation? Last season TFC players were indeed dropping like flies, and it was in vogue to blame the fieldturf. But this season with a new strength and conditioning coach (and program), knock on wood we haven't seen the same litany of knee, hip, ankle and lower back injuries. So was it poor conditioning last year or was it really the surface?

Given how integral flow is to soccer, I'm not sure how instant replay could be incorporated without becoming a total nuisance. Perhaps like in some sports, each manager could have a single challenge.

And if the challenge fails, the manager could have to wear the pink card!

No way to having instant replay in soccer. the fouls and start of play is far to quick. The game is almost perfect right now. no rules changes are needed.

if u want to see an expert diver, just watch the CL final on wedneesday where you will see didier drogba...

HA HA HA

I dunno Jeevs. I think C. Ronaldo could give him a run for his money. If it gets late and either side needs a goal to tie or win Drogba or Ronaldo will do whatever it takes to make it happen, including falling in the box like they've been shot.

The turf at BMO is excellent - for artificial turf. I have walked on it and it feels like a soft surface laid over concrete. It's not bristly like the old Astroturf was; it's much softer and you kick up that black rubber dust with every step. The ball doesn't bounce the way you'd expect it to on a real field, and flatter passes skip in unexpected ways. Ball control is difficult, both for dribbling and passing. Overall, it leads to a poorer quality of soccer, since it's makes it safer to play the ball in the air.

There's also some suspicion that it 'grabs' feet, leading to turned ankles, and twisted knees etc. but I don't know if that's true.