Good thing the TV cameras caught it since the refs did not. Looks to me like the player looked at the ref and saw he was looking away, then in that instant gave the forearm to the face.

1st

I am not surprised at Robinson's suspension. I am however suprised that Galindo so far has not been suspended for putting his hand on the ref during the Chivas-Crew match. Any thoughts on this Goff?

Good to see the league be consistent for a change in light of prior suspensions for similar conduct (Herron on Heaps and Clark on The Fish).

fair enough. That sort of thing should be unacceptable.

I thought the whole "First post!!!!1111" schtick was tired and worn out seven or eight years ago. Who resuscitated it and how do we hunt them down?

I, for one, would enjoy seeing the rare 4-4-2:

----------------Carvallo-----------------

---Namoff---Peralta----McTavish---Burch---

-----------------Simms---------------------
------Q1--------Gallardo-------Fred--------

-----------------------Moreno--------------
---------------Dyachenko-------------------

Bench: Wells, Q3, Mediate, Stratford, Niell, Emilio, Best Player in Training

Meh, that was nothing. Wahl took a dive. Robinson is defending his territory.

It could well have happened, but that video is far from conclusive. They must have relied also on testimony from players. No matter how many times I play the video I can't *actually* see anyone's forearm strike anyone else. Though Wahl sure goes down as if he was struck in the neck or face with a forearm.

And by some supernatural force, both Caig and Kinnear have palpatations almost simultaneously.

Yeah, that was some real dirty stuff by Robinson. I'm cool with the suspension. Seems fair.

As for DCU, I dunno about three in the back, especially with Rogers (and to some strange extent Gaven) on the flanks. I dunno, I just dunno.

The 3 game suspension serves noticethat the league isn't going to tolerate this sort of stuff.

If it happens again I am sure that the league will probably give him 5 or more. I never thought of Robinson as the sort of guy who would go to that level. Hopefully he will have time to reflect on the possiblity of breaking someone's jaw or giving them a concussion and not throw any more elbows...

Defending his territory? With a sucker punch. Thats some COWARD
crap.
Straigh up kitty cat bs.

A central combination of McT and Peralta should suffice. I think Quaranta should be starting on the wing over McT anyway. McT shows a lot of industry on the wing, but is not dangerous enough on the attack. I say this despite his 3 goal barrage in the Harbour View games. LOL!

But seriously, we need somebody on the flanks who can serve a ball. Emilio thrives off service. We need to give it to him. Give Quaranta a try. If he doesn't work, try Kirk. Give anybody and everybody a shot out there until we find the guy that can consistently give service.

BTW, I think Burch is that guy on the left. But with Fred over there he doesn't get enough into the attack. What do you guys think of going back to a 4-5-1 looking like this:

Wells
Namoff Peralta McT Martinez
Quaranta Gallardo Simms Fred Burch
Emilio

The weakness here is I don't think Emilio has the touch to be a real target forward. So we'd be forced to build the ball through the mids every time. The positives would be getting more frequent service from Burch for Emilio and opening up some more long range shooting opportunities for Gallardo working off Fred.

B.A. has it right, except I'd give Emilio another chance up front simply because for all his current shortcomings, Niell and Dyachenko are not better alternatives.

These suspensions are becoming routine for Houston.

in games like this it that the FO should regret waiving Brian Caroll

"It could well have happened, but that video is far from conclusive. They must have relied also on testimony from players. No matter how many times I play the video I can't *actually* see anyone's forearm strike anyone else. Though Wahl sure goes down as if he was struck in the neck or face with a forearm."

Huh? Not only can you see it, you can see him make contact with the forearm, follow through, and see Wahl's head snap back as he does it. It may be time for LASIK, bro...

And even though it's not on this video, Wahl walks off the field with blood pouring out of his mouth.

how nice of Robinson to then step on the guy as he departs the scene of the crime.

As for United, I'm inspired by yesterday's posting and think we should lace up Eddie Pope.

Some more footage for the Doubting Thomases.

http://hillcrestroad.blogspot.com/2008/04/robinson-suspended.html

in games like this it that the FO should regret waiving Brian Caroll

Posted by: BC | April 16, 2008 3:57 PM
=========================================

I was an expansion draft, and they had to lose somebody. In order to protect Carroll, they would have had to expose someone else. Who should that person have been, in your view?

It was, not I was, obviously.

Valencia w/ a goal in the 4th...boo...

For all the complaining us DC supporters are making, at least we have some highlights so far this season, even if it is against Toronto. Just think of how Houston's supporters are feeling. This suspension (justly deserved) is sure to keep them down.

Now, when do we play Houston?

Was Perkins gone by expansion draft time, I can't seem to remember. Just checking, as I have no beef with the way it all went down.

And Valencia w/ a 2nd...

I don't think Burch could play in a 3-man backline, he's not a strong enough marker to do it. You could play Peralta sweeping and McTavish and Namoff as the markers for your best option.

I think you're best off with 4 (Burch, McTavish, Peralta, Namoff).

in games like this it that the FO should regret waiving Brian Caroll

Posted by: BC | April 16, 2008 3:57 PM
=========================================

I was an expansion draft, and they had to lose somebody. In order to protect Carroll, they would have had to expose someone else. Who should that person have been, in your view?

Dyachenko for example

I would not except anything less then 3-1 win tomorrow. If Emilio doesn't score by 35-40 minutes, bring Niell in. With Martinez out I feel better with 4-4-2.

Accept not except...duh

As someone who was in the locker room and talked to and saw Wahls mouth and busted lip, I can say that it had to be a pretty vicious blow. I think he got off pretty easy considering it was obviously intentional and a blow to the face.

A three man back line is only appropriate if Soehn is going to be offenseively minded AND is comfortable with the personnel to man the bank line. Martinez and Peralta work so well together, it would be hard to imagine a three man back line working with one of them absent.

I actually think a 4-5-1 might be a better mix. Put Emilio or Moreno up top to poach. Have Fred/Quaranta/Gallardo/McTavish/Simms in the middle and moving as need be to create havoc. A back line of Peralta and Burch/Namoff in the middle would work. But Peralta and Wells in goal (sorry Carvallo) would have to be very vocal and assertive in organizing the defense.

But even a basic 4-4-2 would be preferable to any 3 man backline set up.

I[t] was an expansion draft, and they had to lose somebody. In order to protect Carroll, they would have had to expose someone else. Who should that person have been, in your view?

Dyachenko for example

Posted by: BC | April 16, 2008 4:24 PM
==========================================

But Dyachenko wasn't protected. Here are the players who were protected:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/19/AR2007111901296.html

The list includes Boswell and Perkins. I can see protecting Perkins, if only because it permitted them to get substantial compensation from that Norwegian club.

This is what I want to see & I think it's what we will see.

----------------Wells-----------------

---Namoff---Peralta----McTavish---Burch---

-----------------Simms---------------------
Quaranta--------Gallardo-------Fred

-----------------Moreno--------------
-----------------Emilio--------------

Bring in Niell at half time depending on how things are going

Assuming Simms has primary responsibility for Schelotto, then who will mark Rogers? That would be McT, but with Martinez out, he could drop back to center.

Now, even if Moreno had a hat trick in '04 against DCU when he was with LA, he is, on average, a very mediocre forward. You could chance a 3 man back line and have McT clamp down on Rogers. However, that will require Fred, Gallardo or Moreno/Quaranta, none of whom are known for defense, to watch Gaven. That makes Gaven and maybe HeyDude, the keys to Columbus' attack.

The defense with O'Rourke you know will be weak. Maybe a 3-5-2 can exploit it, but that requires someone to cover for Fred if he takes off running at the defense.

Eddie Robinson was just showing off his form for Oscar De La Hoya. Kinda like, hey buddy, you and me, we're not that different... except for the drunken cross dressing thing.

What about Bobby Boswell stomping on Tyson Wahl's leg after the incident? Seems like he got away with one...

No 4-5-1!

Robinson has been a goon for a long time. I am surprised it took so long for him to get some comeuppance.

I think it is only sensible for Devon to drop to the backline if Martinez can't go.

Moreno has to be out there if he's close to 100%. And I would be shocked if Luci was missing from the starting line up. Niell will be the first forward option off the bench.

Wells
Namoff Peralta McTavish Burch
Q1 Simms Gallardo Fred
Moreno Emilio

3 game suspension and a $5.62 fine.

Looked accidental to me. I think he just meant to give a little shove and not a full-blown elbow

That's nothing.

No 3 man back line unless Martinez is one of the 3!

Just because no one else is saying it, I'll just throw it out there. I think we might see something like this...

---------------Wells--------------
------Namoff-Peralta-Mediate------
McTavish-Simms-Gallardo-Fred-Burch
----------Emilio---Moreno---------

No 3 man back line unless Martinez is one of the 3!

Posted by: ff | April 16, 2008 8:28 PM
------------------------------------

100% agree.

DCUMD you just made my fricking skin crawl dude!
You might be dead on but YIKES!
You might as well throw out a few wet sunday newspapers in front of the goal if you include Mediate in that three man line.
if the three amigos be namoff,peralta, and martinez it looks pretty good otherwise it's just plain old frightening.
I Really hope I don't need to throw on the Depends tommorow night, I'll keep an extra pair handy just in case though.
And here's to capitalizing on even daring to have so little in the back. Score some goals United!
I want to see nothing but shattered delusional players in Yellow 13 minutes into the second half...

Nada for the mexico at Qwest field in the first three minutes. check out the rubber spraywhen people slide on that surface!
it sure is strange.
Maybe the could tear down the Key ARena since the sonics are leaving and build the Sounders a grass field stadium with a retractable roof!
That would be tight!
Seriously check out the surface they are playing on on Telemundo right now!

Also weird to see the field minus the Hash marks that would normally be there.
Did i hear somewhere that they just replaced the fake grass at Qwest?

Just find this blog a couple of weeks ago due to the special one videos. It's fantastic as he would coin it.

Should be a great open game tomorrow with Gallardo and Schelotto leading the way.

Cheap plug sorry if it bugs anyone, if anyone has some time to kill check out my football site sinnacle.com (It's non commercial not looking for make a buck here)

Houston is a bunch of low life thugs that play dirty. Kicking players in the head and now elbowing them in the face. Just disgraceful.

Now I see it. The hilcrest road blog video is on my computer clearer than the other one. The guy who got hit did his best to make it look even worse than it was. Didn't get the on field call, but got the MLS FO call, at least.

Fans of the team do not have long memories. Am I now that poorly playing?

52nd

No worries, Emilio, you da man. The goals will come.

Damn and then Robinson Steps on HIM!!!

One more thing, i cant believe people are defending his actions!! Robinson clearly hit him with his elbow with his arm bent like a chicken wing! Thats was something outta the UFC! You cna see that itreally hurt cause the guy who got hit, his legs buckled and he held his face. Lets face it people, in the MLS don't dive, minus the hispanic players lol. So that is the real deal, and the non top of it Robinson steps on him!!! What a D##k Move!!!

And here's to you, Mr. Robinson,
Referees despise you more than you know.
God help you now, Mr. Robinson.
Tyson will make sure that you're gonna pay,
Hey, hey, hey

Robinson is and always has been a thug. Glad he finally got caught and MLS stood up to Kinnear and sat Robinson for 3 games.
Emilio is the guy who scored 20 games last year, right?? So after 3 games people are ready to dump him?? DC really does have great fans!!
Back 3 or back 4, how bout just playing with some emotion. Maybe Moreno can run this week.

Is it Boswell who steps on him or Robinson?

What foul? Where? Looked fair to me.

Some more footage for the Doubting Thomases.

http://hillcrestroad.blogspot.com/2008/04/robinson-suspended.html

Posted by: MR Caretaker | April 16, 2008 4:00 PM

--------

Another thing noticeable from this clip is that the victim of Robinson's agression actually has his arms being held or pinned by another Houston player while Robinson the coward steps in to deliver the sucker punch.

A three game suspension is not enough.

That was a nice take down. This kid is ready for a light heavyweight bout. He stands up and strikes well, we will work on his grappling skills.

Just out of curiosity, what is our record while playing 3 back in 2006 and 2007? Got to be bad.