Even though the Red Bulls didn’t play well, they did just enough to overcome a questionable penalty kick and pull out an extra time 2-2 tie with Columbus. And after seeing his team run its unbeaten streak to seven, coach Mike Petke put a verbal beating on the referee that awarded the dodgy PK.
Referee Geoff Gamble called Kosuke Kimura for a 73rd-minute penalty on Justin Meram, setting up Federico Higuain’s PK. But even after defender Jamison Olave’s dramatic equalizer a minute into extra time to salvage a point for the Red Bulls, they were seething over a call that may well have cost them two more.
“I have my checkbook out and I’m ready for whatever MLS does fine me – it’s not good enough from the referees. It’s not good enough,’’ said Petke. “I watched the replay of the penalty of what I already knew to be not a penalty and it backed it up. He misses the ball, the player, misses it, and then there is contact from the side.
“That’s a guy in my estimation who is probably getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend, who wants to be a part of the show. I could care less what the league fines me or what they say. Those decisions, those type of things cost jobs…I’m pissed off…I’m not blaming the refs for us not winning. I don’t think we did enough to win. (But) to give them that PK call? Shocking.’’
With the game tied 1-1, Meram took a bad touch and lost the ball. Kimura, who was giving chase, grazed him in the box after that, and when Sanchez went down Gamble awarded the penalty.
“He miskicked it and after that I have no idea,’’ said Kimura. “And they called a PK. I had no idea. I talked to other guys, they watched it; there was no chance that was a PK. I even talked to the ref afterwards, and he said that was a tough one to call, I couldn’t really have good sight. But he said you kinda tripped him.’’
Gamble said via pool report: “I had a clear view of the play. The defender pushed the attacker in the back, which a penal offense, which then resulted in a penalty kick.’’
After Olave saw Kevan George clear his header off the line in the 86th minute, the defender got his equalizer in extra time, bringing a Jonny Steele cross down with his right instep and put a curling left-footed blast by GK Andy Gruenebaum.
“When I was in RSL I didn’t get to score this much. Usually I’d score once or twice, and this is already my fourth and we’re not even a quarter of the way through so it’s very exciting,’’ said Olave, adding “In my opinion it wasn’t a penalty kick, and shouldn’t have been called that way.’’
After Olave’s equalizer, Petke yelled at fourth official Jose Carlos Rivero yet again. But he said none of the refs gave him an explanation.
“No conversation. This New PRO [Professional Referees Organization] wants us to be a good relationship with the referee, but we are forbidden in approaching them and having any contact with them. It’s an automatic card,’’ said Petke, adding wryly “I guess that’s working out.”
Thierry Henry – who scored off a Tim Cahill longball in the 31st minute to cancel out Dominic Oduro’s second-minute strike – wore the armband so should be the conduit to the refs, but says that’s become a fool’s errand.
“I don’t want to talk about the referees,’’ said Henry. “I’ve tried for three years. I’m not talking to them anymore. They’re the boss and you have to accept their decisions.’’
For his part Columbus Crew coach Robert Warzycha empathized with Petke somewhat, saying “I think he has the right to be ballistic. But obviously you’re going to have some calls going for you and going against you. I don’t question the referee’s decision; I think there was contact over there and he has the right to call it. Too bad it was against him.’’
The dramatic draw left the Red Bulls (7-4-4, 25 points) two points ahead of second-place Montreal in the Eastern Conference standings, and just two points behind FC Dallas in the Supporters Shield race. It also extended their undefeated streak to seven – at 5-0-2 – and they did it the hard way.