Comments on: Thunder Lose Heartbreaker to KC Wizards – Game Decided in PK’s

By: JP

JP — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:11:02 +0000

One thing I appreciate about the Thunder organization is their dedication to the fan/player connection. Allowing supporters and kids onto the field for autographs after matches is an excellent gesture. This has its place after the game is concluded and the players have had a chance to wind down.

What bothered me a bit on Tuesday though was the total lack of control around the field’s perimeter. Leper’s point about the supporter waving the flag right on top of an opposing player taking a corner is spot on. I’ve got no problem with fans heckling opposing players from the beer garden, but seeing somebody doing that on the field of play seemed a bit mickey mouse. Also, that kids were allowed to bolt along the touch lines and in some cases through the player bench areas as the penalty kicks were about to commence was annoying and probably not the safest thing for either them or the players. I realize that the situation is more or less the same at every home match – guess the problem was more visible on Tuesday.

By: leper

leper — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:41:17 +0000

I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a safety concern, since there really is no crowd control at all. Fortunately people haven’t taken advantage of that and there haven’t been any incidents or anything. But when a supporter can walk down to within feet of a guy taking a corner and wave a flag almost in his face (which granted I thought was funny) it’s not too big a stretch for the ref to wonder about player safety.

The only problem with that argument I suppose, is that the exact same issue exists at the other end of the field as well. But that end doesn’t have the beer garden and does at least have a stand as you mention, so in that regard, there’s slightly less likelihood of an incident – or at least you could make that argument. The funniest thing to me was that when the NSC grounds staff (not security) came down to the south end just before PKs to make sure people (mostly kids) were the requisite distance back from the goal, the main guy organizing and telling people where they needed to go was Joe Warren.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:04:34 +0000

Another point about the PK’s being away from the beer garden. The stands that normally sit behind the north goal were removed by NSC for a stage that was placed their for a Christian concert. I’ve heard that the National Sports Center does not want the stand moved back because it’s expensive to move so it is sitting behind the east stands at the moment. However, because the stands called Stand duNord by the supporters was not moved back into place, when everyone came down to the north end to watch the penalty kicks, they stood. This already happened earlier in the game when a PK was awarded. It is possible that the Refs wanted that area cleared and the fans sitting in the stands which would makes sense to me. If that’s the case then the blame needs to fall on the Thunder and NSC. The Thunder for not demanding that NSC move those stands back and NSC for not doing so right after the concert two weeks ago.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:58:55 +0000

Zev, I’m not understanding your point. Yes, a beer was thrown and several of us immediately told the idiot that he needed to leave the stadium NOW! So what is your point? Maybe what you’re saying is that the PK’s were moved? But that had nothing to do with the beer garden. It happened unfortunately from a yahoo who was sitting with the supporters section behind the Wizards bench. That wouldn’t change and just because some idiot throws something from the stands isn’t a reason to change the PK’s which are on the end. I’m not sure the 4th official even saw what happened. When the moron who’s name is Mike was removed from the stadium the supporters did not only condoned the cup throwing incident but immediately apologized to the Wizards bench and told them the perpetrator had been removed.

I do agree it was perhaps the most heart I’ve seen the team play with this season.

By: zev

zev — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:02:56 +0000

I was told that a beer from a supporters group was thrown at the Kansas City bench, so it’s reasonable for the KC coaches to desire to be away from more of that.

Otherwise, it was a thrilling and entertaining game and the player I was in contact with said it was one of the most exciting games for the thunder to have played in all year.

By: miac fan

miac fan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:34:36 +0000

I have to agree with Nathan. The line on the far side of the field was horrible and to have 3 PKs during the course of this match was ridiculous.
The fact that the 1st overtime period lasted 3 minutes after just an additional 1 minute was announced is an indication of how out of sync the referee was all night long.
It was very sad to see such poor officiating at a critical match for the Thunder.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:03:58 +0000

Absolutely horrible officiating last night. That crew never had control of the match.

First KC goal – Offside.
Second KC goal – Dive for PK.
First Thunder goal – Make up PK.
Second Thunder goal – Sketchy PK.
Third KC goal – 3+ minutes after the 15:00 of the first half of ET when 1:00 added time was announced.
Third Thunder goal – totally legitimate and within the run of play.

Then the ref forces the kicks to go to the South end to avoid us in the North End? Really? Unbelievable.

Disaster. This will cause a major problem for the Thunder’s bottom line at the end of the year.