Peter Vermes thinks RSL match was well-refereed

We all saw last night’s match, and frankly, all of us can probably agree that the referee didn’t quite deal with some things the way he should have.

But wouldn’t you know it, Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes disagrees with us, because of course he does.

Before we get to Vermes’ comments (provided by RSL Communications staff), let’s take a look at a couple of the plays our referee for the night missed.

Here’s the foul on Joao Plata, nearly free on goal, that wasn’t called. Petke’s ire is clear.

And here’s Luke Mulholland being raked on the shin by Gerso — which wasn’t caught in real-time by the referee, who wasn’t facing the play.

Another one! Here’s Sunny’s imaginary yellow card that he’s earned for ... well, who knows, really.

And here are Vermes’s comments.

I actually think the referee did a pretty good job, I really do. I think he had two bad situations, one for us, one for them, meaning I don’t think he should have called the yellow card on Roger Espinoza in the first half. I think he went up for a head ball, you know, it is what it is and you know, whatever.

It’s enlightening that he doesn’t talk about the “one for them,” because he’s probably talking about the red card that should have been given that wasn’t for the late, dangerous tackle on Mulholland.

I think he (the referee) did well tonight, I don’t think he was a problem in the game and I don’t think the game was all that chippy. I mean I always think it’s funny because it’s grown men playing a sport that--it’s tough. It’s a tough sport. There’s going to be contact and to think that there’s not going to be is kind of ridiculous.

“...I always think it’s funny because it’s grown men playing” — that’s really all I needed to here. Pulling out the manliness card here is frankly unnecessary and insulting. If we measure soccer on manliness, we’re just succumbing to stone age thinking about masculinity.

Second, Nobody’s out here claiming there shouldn’t be contact, but dismissing complaints about refereeing consistency on the basis of the straw man he’s constructing?

At least one thing’s certain: Peter Vermes will always find a way to upset Real Salt Lake fans. The more things change, I guess, right?