Video courtesy of Youtube user BigMikeUCSB:
That, my friends, is a punch.
On Sunday, Gaucho soccer lost a second round NCAA playoff match to UC Berkeley, 2-1. But the story goes deeper than that. The match was mired in controversy for both teams, and volunteer Head Referee Mike Kampmeinert, a Folsom, Calif. Native, broke any ref’s golden rule by taking the game into his own hands. Regardless of the outcome, Sunday’s game highlights the issue of inconsistent officiating in college soccer, and something needs to be done about it.
Here’s what I saw, and what the rest of the video shows in part: Gaucho midfielder Luis Silva comes in with an aggressive slide-tackle on the ball around the feet of UC Berkeley’s Servando Carrasco. After losing control of the ball, Carrasco shove-punches Silva above the neck and Silva goes down. Carrasco goes down as well, and both players are awarded cards. This is where the problems begin.
Did Silva deserve a red card for the play? I don’t claim to know much about college soccer and the intricacies of its rules, but he certainly made a hard, physical play on the ball and it’s understandable for Carrasco to be angry in what was a heated match for both teams. But the red card forced UCSB to close out the next 75 minutes of the game a man down, and an important man at that. Honestly? I’m not sure if Silva’s behavior merited ejection or not. Carrasco’s case, on the other hand, is much simpler. Here’s the official NCAA rulebook’s take on fighting:
12.6.1 Fighting. Definition: A fight is defined as a deliberate strike or punch or an attempt to strike or punch another player, official, coach or bench personnel. These acts include, but are not limited to, kicking, head-butting, hair pulling or an open-handed strike if done deliberately and in a malicious manner.
12.6.1.1 A player, coach or bench personnel shall be ejected if he or she is guilty of fighting or leaves the coaching area to participate in an altercation.
The rules are clear. Carrasco should have been gone, at least making the game an even 10-on-10 with Silva’s red card. Despite Kampmeinert’s call, midfielder Michael Tetteh managed to put the undermanned Gauchos up 1-0 late in the game off of a throw in, and it seemed as if karma would take care of things, but it wasn’t to be.
Carrasco returned to the center of the action with just two minutes remaining when he evened up the score after a handball was called in the box. He was awarded a penalty kick, which he buried, sending the match into overtime. I was sitting in the distant press box at the time, so I am no judge of the play, but sophomore midfielder Machael David tells me that the game tape shows no such violation. You can choose for yourself to take that or leave it.
The controversy continued even after the final whistle blew in overtime, giving Cal the 2-1 victory and sending UCSB packing. Three Gauchos — David, Tetteh and midfielder Danny Barrera — charged the referee, and Head Coach Tim Vom Steeg was forced to restrain his players in the chaos that ensued. Each was rightfully awarded a red card according to the above definition of fighting, and they may see further implications.
There were a lot of dubious plays on Sunday, and I don’t claim to act as the definitive account as to what happened because I couldn’t clearly see a lot of them from the press box above the field. What I did see, from a very good vantage point in fact, was Vom Steeg’s press conference after the game.
There, I saw a man that was visibly shaken by what had happened. His voice was hoarse, but his words were clear.
“I’ve been coaching Division I soccer for 12 years, and what I had to experience out there on the field was not fair for me, was not fair to my coaching staff, was not fair to my players. And I know exactly what I’m saying,” Vom Steeg said. “For $500 [to pay a referee], we can’t find somebody better? Really, we can’t? Five-hundred bucks? It’s not worth it to the players and the teams? I have a team that’s devastated, and there’s nothing that I can say.”
On a day when a lot of players, Gauchos and Golden Bears alike, were wrong in their actions, Vom Steeg was right. The fact is, Kampmeinert took over the game and had an effect on its outcome. What’s more, he affected players who deserve the right to a game that is decided by those players and nothing else.
Mistakes this egregious simply don’t happen in college football or basketball. The referees in the playoffs of those sports aren’t chosen based on how close they live to the match. College soccer’s governing bodies need to work to find a system that rotates referees, and only uses the most highly-rated ones in the most important matches.
David called me the morning after the game, saying he was unable to sleep or go to class, that he felt as if a part of his soul was taken away. He said that calls like those would never stand in his native Africa or in Europe and even suggested corruption in a bad system was what robbed his team of a real chance at a national title. Senior defender Michael Boxall, whom I’ve never known to speak disparagingly of refs, said it was as if Cal had 12 players on the field, one with a whistle. Even Big Mike of the Gaucho locos had to be consoled by Chancellor Yang afterward.
NCAA soccer is missing an important opportunity because of the standards for officiating. To have UCSB — the most important West Coast team by its sheer number of fans — in the College Cup would be huge for soccer in America. People would be able to see a college-level program that has incredibly devoted followers. Gaucho fans on Sunday were far louder than the Berkeley fan base, and that was just a tiny sampling of what this school has to offer. I’m not suggesting that the win be handed to the Gauchos, but they deserve a fair shot at it, something they certainly didn’t get.
David, Tetteh and Barrera were absolutely wrong to react as they did. Carrasco was wrong to throw a punch as he did. Referee Kampmeinert was wrong, too. The match will go down in Gaucho soccer history as a loss, and that’s the bottom line. But when people look at that in the future, they’re missing a big story about three seniors — goalkeeper Sam Hayden, forward Joe Eubanks and Boxall — who finish their careers in Blue not with their heads held high, but in shock. This is a story about a team that was literally constructed over the last few years for the purpose of making a championship run this year at Harder Stadium. In sports losing is losing, and that’s tough sometimes. But Sunday’s match, on both sides of the ball — I’m not sure should even be called sport, because that would require an outcome based on athletic performance, not a conveniently located referee.
That, my friends, is a clear studs up tackle. Silva’s left foot is clearly studs up and makes contact with Carrasco’s lower right leg. Silva was frustrated that he had just lost the ball on a terrible pass and he was trying to get the ball back but, idiotically right in front of the referee, assaulted Carrasco’s leg with the studs on the bottom of his left foot. After the assault by Silva, his right foot made contact with the ball. Look at the reaction of Carrasco’s teammate, Hector Jimenez, who is standing next to the referee. He sees Silva’s… Read more »
Hector Jimenez’s reaction? As if every single tackle and dive in the sport of soccer doesn’t have players begging for cards? It’s part of the game. I’m sure Jimenez would’ve pleaded for a card even if it was clean. I love how you exaggerate the matter – “Silva’s leg-breaking tackle.” Carrasco threw a punch. Stop defending your player. It was a rough tackle, but there was no mal-intent to cause harm. Carrasco made the decision to shove with his fist and that deserved a red card as well. IT’S ABOUT MAKING THE GAME FAIR.
So apparently Carrasco had a nearly career ending foul on him, his leg almost being broken (these are all your words), but then jumped up, pushed/punched Silva then collapsed in a heap on the floor when he saw the ref. He then went on to play another hour plus of soccer and scored the game tying goal. And you say Silva acted like Ronaldo. Was this after he had to be helped off the field or after he had left the hospital later that evening?
If your going to debate, at least be somewhat reasonable.
Haha, the criminal Machael David? He tells you there was no handball? His word is worthless, especially after the Alameda County DA gets through with him. Here is the truth: UCSB defender Hunter’s arm was extended out sideways from his body. He was three yards deep in the box. The shot was on frame. Hunter had time to move his arm out of the path of the ball but instead moved toward the ball, and the middle of his arm struck the ball. A no brainer call– some referees would not have the courage to make the correct call in… Read more »
Machael David’s one of the players on our team who keeps he hotheads in check and tries to stop stupid fights. The fact that he feels the brunt of this injustice and reacted according to his principles is something that I cannot and will not begrudge. Talk to me when you’re the one who’s been training for years for the chance of playing at home in what should be the highest competition for college soccer Talk to me about how you’ll react after that opportunity is stolen you, not from a fair and equal competition, but from a ref who… Read more »
You are such a disgrace. Thinking on behalf of people of whom you know nothing.
The truth of that handball? Where was the referee when he made the call? How far away was he? For an equalizer in the last minute of the game, you need to be DEAD sure before you call a PK from point-blank range. That wasn’t a call… that was the referee playing GOD.
To call our players and staff criminals is not just embarrassing, but just downright atrocious. Watch the videos and you will see who the true criminals are.
Cal has not received one red card all year, and on average less than one yellow card per game. Cal is a class program led by a class coach.
UCSB on the other hand, is totally lacking in class and regularly attacks referees and opposing players. In the locker room after this game, the UCSB players used racial epithets against the Cal players and started a fight with the Cal players.
UCSB is just a bunch of goons lead by the head goon, Vom Steeg.
“Cal has not received one red card all year.” Well they should’ve received one in that game.
Oh rly? Cal has not received any cards? Thats even more suspicious now
Seriously, dude, were you even at that game? Did you even watch the video above?
“I have a team that’s devastated, and there’s nothing that I can say.”
Yet TVS has been running his mouth since the end of Sunday’s match to all that will listen!
And rightfully so.
Geez, if you’re going to post to bash UCSB, at least change your writing style and space your posts out…you’re not fooling anyone with the name changes.
Is this the guy running around the stadium in tights and Goucho hat that leads cheers and doesn’t even go to the school. Did you get escorted out of stadium after the game? No credibility with your words.
Also if you are going to post video, post all of it!
Your athletic director and NCAA both are investigating the post game assault. Where you apart of it? Post your real name so we can have an officer come to your house.
You’re an idiot. Don’t hate on the Masked Gaucho. He’s a part of a fanbase that’s more dedicated to our soccer team than Cal will ever be about theirs. Go lose to Stanford.
No, this is a UCSB alum who is irate over what occurred that day. Seeing as how I live half a world away, I see no purpose in posting my real name as you have (oh wait…). Masked Gaucho? Wow…where in my post did you get that from? Is jumping to conclusions something you’ve learned during your days your institution? I guess Berkeley is a microcosm of the US – nothing more than a prestigious name hiding behind a glorious past with idiots like you giving it a bad name. Congrats on a controversial and undeserved victory. Now shut your… Read more »
You would think that Cal fans (or ONE SINGLE CAL FAN, as it seems that all these replies are by the same person), would be happy with getting away with the win. Instead of being thankful that they escaped with a victory, as certainly UCSB played much better and were 2 minutes away from winning on Cal’s turf, this dude is going off and ripping UCSB. Sore winners? I think so. Red cards or not, the better team did not win last Sunday and that’s the real crime.
Ref was unqualified Referee should never have been allowed to officiate the game: By MARK PATTON NEWS-PRESS SENIOR WRITER Mark Patton November 23, 2010 5:36 AM UCSB’s Cup won’t runneth over for the Gauchos after several questionable decisions by an inexperienced referee cost them dearly in Sunday’s 2-1, overtime defeat at California in the second round of the National Championships. The NCAA should have paid to bring in a top referee. How Mike Kampmeinert of Sacramento ended up with Sunday’s officiating assignment has both baffled and infuriated UCSB officials. Their check of game summaries this season shows that Kampmeinert has… Read more »
what? no witty cal comments when they are presented with hard evidence that the ref was BS and in turn so was this game.
Yeah, I like that Patton article. He admits the ref’s PK call against UCSB was a good call. And that is coming from a UCSB homer.
Where is the video of the post-game actions by the UCSB players? How can you even attempt to act aggrieved when your players exposed their true thug-like nature at the end of the game? They should have been arrested on the spot for assaulting the ref. The UCSB program should be shut down immediately for promoting this kind of culture. There were numerous youth soccer players at the game — what lesson do they learn? While leaving the game I overheard one approximately 10-year old boy say to his father, `Dad, I thought you’re supposed to shake hands with the… Read more »
You still aren’t reading the story. Our three players just had their dreams snatched from them, not by a better team, but by a completely biased and unqualified referee. The shame comes not from our players’ actions post-game, but rather the disgrace that has come from your squad’s reaction to their “victory.” No word anywhere to explain Carrasco’s punch, nor the equalizing handball that wasn’t, nor the unqualified referee chosen by the Pac-10. Instead you guys chalk it up to “we were a better team.” You were given an equalizer in the last minute for a very shady call. That… Read more »
So in the SB world, you learn to handle disappointment by beating up the refs.
I had kinda figured that out already, but thanks for the confirmation, Matt.
Next up: McCain punches out Michelle Obama. Matt says “It’s okay.”
Well Matt, you are wrong about the handball. See the story by Mark Patton in the Santa Barbara News Press. He is your homer newspaper reporter who watched video of the game. He predictably reams the ref for all kinds of things but guess what… he admits the video shows the PK against UCSB was legitimate, that it was a definite handball in the penalty box. I don’t expect to you drop your other spurious arguments, Matt, but even you have to admit now that the PK call was legitimate– your own homeboy reporter admits it was legit after watching… Read more »
In a few weeks from now, the SB fans will find out what pain is. The NCAA is going to punish SB very hard for the ASSAULTS on the refs. Punches were thrown. One ref tried to flee and was yanked back by a gaucho who grabbed the back of his shirt so he couldn’t escape the assault.
Say goodbye to next season gauchos. NCAA won’t care about Carrasco or the ref. They are going to punish ASSAULTS very very harshly.
Mark B — you see a punch, I see a shove.
I also see that on your original story on this game, you made ABSOLUTELY no mention of the disgraceful post-game actions of the gauchos.
Hometown reporters are as bad as hometown refs. You have your forum, but you have no credibility.
It will be very interesting to see how your report the NCAA sanctions on Santa Barbara. They are coming. Your own AD will be acting as well.
It seems that beating up refs is something that UCSB has done before.
Hayden got a three game suspension for it after the game against Cal State Fullerton, right?
Wow, I’m so surprised.
Berkeley supporters keep bringing up the topic of UCSB’s post game behavior… how does that have anything to do with the outcome of the match? It was POST game, and has absolutely nothing to do with any of the events that occurred while the game was in play. So it would be smart of them to stop using it as a response to the poor performance of the refs. Besides, the way I see it actions have their consequences and the refs had it coming in a sense. It is also a personal decision whether or not you want to… Read more »
UCSB should have gotten this call. great article, great video to back it up. we’ll get them next year.
Anyways,
Acting like you got hit is the most ridiculous part of sports. the fact that it is ‘part of soccer’ makes soccer the pussiest sport known to man. it’s unbelievable to me that players have to legitimately ACT like they got hit and flaunt their fake injuries in order to get a call. a huge reason why soccer is behind basketball, football, baseball and hockey in america. you should never have to PRETEND like you get hit, that’s damn stupid.