Cristian Roldan spoke his mind on MLS' replacement referees performances Saturday after 10-man Sounders drew Colorado Rapids Saturday.
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10-man Sounders draw Rapids 1-1Seattle's Roldan upset postgameDelivers damning response to replacement refsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
The Sounders were reduced to 10-men in the 57th minute after USMNT prospect Joshua Atencio was sent off for a second yellow card offense. However, the card was issued over 30 seconds after the foul occurred, as the referee had played advantage off of what he deemed to be the offense.
Atencio, who thought he had delivered a clean tackle, was sent off at the next period of stoppage and the Sounders were not thrilled with the decision.
Fast-forward to the 88th minute, and the Rapids equalize late and then confusion and chaos followed. Forward Raul Ruidiaz, who had been substituted off the pitch, was served a red card for appearing to enter the pitch while shouting. However, the red card was reduced to a yellow when the ref apparently drew the wrong card out of their pocket. Postgame, though, it was revealed the yellow card was instead for Sounders' boss Brian Schmetzer, even though the card was shown in Ruidiaz's direction.
Roldan, captain of the Sounders, spoke on the performance of the replacement referees over the first four weeks of the season, delivering a truly damning response.
AdvertisementUSA Today Sports WHAT CRISTIAN ROLDAN SAID
"We'd love to have those referees (PSRA officials) back, right? We need guys that have experience with us, you know, I can't talk about certain situations on the field, but, overall – for me – it (performances from the substitute officials) needs to be better. And again, we understand that there are things these referees are fighting for, we understand that the league has to figure out contract situations with them, or CBA situations with them, but for us… I mean, we need the best quality on the field. To feel like we could have those most experienced refs… of course we want them on the field.
"It's not in our hands unfortunately, but look, we'll keep preaching that and hopefully they come to an agreement."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Prior to the start of the MLS season, the Professional Soccer Referees Association of 260 officials (PSRA) that all work under the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) – who are run by U.S. Soccer – were locked out as the result of the two parties not coming to an agreement over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Since, nearly one month has passed, and four matchweeks have gone by with replacement referees from lower-level divisions. Roldan's complaints Saturday arrive as a result of over 260 normal MLS-caliber officials not refereeing their games. From the pitch and the touchline to the VAR room, MLS looks different in 2024 to start the season.
Seattle SoundersWHAT NEXT FOR SEATTLE SOUNDERS AND CRISTIAN ROLDAN?
With MLS playing through the forthcoming FIFA International window, the Sounders will be back in action next weekend, taking on the San Jose Earthquakes in a Western Conference clash. As for the MLS replacement officials, it's unknown when they will return.