Match Report –   26 March 2011
South Bay Sports League

Dinamo Red Star | 0 – 8 | No Goals 4 U

Match Report –   27 February 2011
Dinamo Red Star (Wilson) | 1 – 2 | Dogtown Athletic

Playing 2 tournament games in a single day requires a full roster and yet a depleted Red Star courageously took the field to battle with twelve fellow comrades.  In the end, injury, fatigue and an empty bench proved to be too much for the side to overcome.

Both teams missed early PKs and although Red Star looked the more menacing team, Dogtown capitalized on the remaining questionable calls that went their way.  The flow of play was managed well enough by the head official, but the all of the big calls went Dogtown’s way.  Sometimes that is just how the ball bounces.

Down 2-0, Red Star dug deep to press forward and press forward they did indeed.  Posts were hit, chances missed and constant pressure put them on their back heals.  Their defensive mindset worked out in the end as Neil’s rocket shot, upper left from 20 out, was too little too late.

Match Report – 13 February 2011
Dinamo Red Star | 5 – 2 | Dep. Tierra Blanca

In an ugly game, marred by violence and extremely poor officiating, Red Star showed it’s class and talent by systematically dismantling Dep. Tierra Blanca.  The officials lost control of the game as Dep. Tierra Blanca lost all self control and respect after spitting on and sucker punching Red Star players.

CAFLA, Cal South and The LA City Municipal Sports office need to take a serious look at the head official’s lack of preparation and understanding of game control during a heightened double-elimination tournament.   Although the grading of officials should not normally be a part of match reporting, something must be said and done to protect the players on and off the field.  The head official is not to blame for the atrocious actions of Dep. Tierra Blanca, but the entire game was mishandled, leading to a rise in players tempers, shouting and ultimately reckless, needless violence.

When the same Dep. Tierra Blanca player was red carded twice, it is clear that the head official had no clue what was happening around him.  Rather than calm the situation and check  in with the linesmen to see what they saw and have them help disperse the shouting crowd of Dep. Tierra players, the head official shouted and players, heightening the situation and ultimately allowing the same player that was sent off for spitting to come back on and sucker punch another Red Star player.  Poor game management allowed a losing thuggish team to get riled up to the point of violence.

Everyone deserves better.