United 2, Chicago 1

Really, consider:

The first moment of intrigue came midway through the opening half when United received a gift from Toledo. Chris Pontius ran down a ball in the penalty area and one-timed an angled shot before goalkeeper Jon Busch arrived. As Busch and Pontius collided, the ball bounced wide of the far post, ending United's threat. But Toledo awarded a penalty kick, even though the contact came well after Pontius's attempt.

Afterward, even United players were scratching their heads about the decision.

Said Busch: "If I had smashed the guy and he still has the ball, it's a penalty kick -- absolutely. The thing that is upsetting to me is that I tried to have a conversation with the referee, just to explain it to me. And his explanation was, 'Shut your mouth, I am always right, you are wrong.' "

and

United's lead was in jeopardy early in the second half. Wicks used his knee to make a one-on-one save on Wilman Conde, and a minute later, Toledo awarded a penalty kick to the Fire when Dejan Jakovic tugged on Patrick Nyarko's shoulder as he stormed the box. Before the whistle, Wicks made another terrific save, but Jakovic's actions apparently justified the call.

This ruling wasn't as glaring as the first one, but Fire Coach Denis Hamlett, who was upset about several decisions, said he thought it was a "make-up call."

Which is a shame, because the two horrible calls become the take-away issue rather than the terrifically entertaining game between two teams that don't like each other. Best game of the year pace and energy-wise on the field, best atmosphere of the year on LOUD SIDE! and what will be remembered are the two shitty PKs awarded (and Wicks save on Chicago's). I keep reading that MLS' major problem is all the draws. MLS' major problem is its shitty referees.

Here's Goff's player ratings:

Wicks 9; Namoff 8, Jakovic 6, Burch 7; Quaranta 6, Simms 6, Wallace 6, Gomez 8, Fred 5; Moreno 6, Pontius 7. Subs: N'Silu 5, Khumalo 6, John 6.

Fred should not be on the field with Gomez and Gomez should be on the field. Fred didn't get a chance to gack a sitter in the first ten minutes and sulked and sucked thereafter. Fred wants to be the ten and Gomez is a better ten. Start Gomez, and if he plays as well as he did last night, run him the ninety, and if Gomez is having an off night or gets gassed, bring Fred in to run the middle. (Fred does provide comic relief in 232 as we yell at him to kick opponents ankles and shins in pissy disgust at not getting the ball and..... he does!)

Actually, Moreno shouldn't be on the field with Gomez either, N'Silu or Khumalo should be. Gomez' strength is hitting fast players making hard runs, and Moreno can't make hard runs anymore, Ba'al bless him, he just can't. (There was one play early in the first half, a brilliant ball - I can't remember from whom - to the back post, and Jaime's legs just couldn't get there. People around me were yelling at Jaime for lack of effort - it's not lack of effort, youngsters, it's being old.)

Put the youngest, fastest, hungriest players on the field, players who can run all night, spread them wide, have them overlap runs, and let Gomez find them. The most encouraging game from Gomez since his return. Excellent.

Goff's mancrush on Burch is mystifying: Chicago's goal was a direct result of Marco Pappa schooling Burch at the top of the box. I realize I'm too harsh on Burch; I admit he's probably better than I think, but no way is he as good as Goff constantly grades him. Credit though, as Shatz says, for Burch's marking on McBride in set pieces.

No more keeper controversy, yes?

Saving the best for last: this guy and Bromark can testify that not only did I call Gomez' free kick goal, I called Wicks stop on Brian Diving Pussy McBride's penalty kick. You're very welcome.

Updates:

D's First Impression. DCUC's. Fullback.

O!

!hEh!:

Cristiano Ronaldo is taking his penis on a tour of California, which, as any good tourist knows, is not complete without a trip to La Brea Tar Pits. Which is precisely why he hooked up with one Paris Hilton.

!hEh!:

Paris Hilton climbed all over soccer/tanning phenom Cristiano Ronaldo Wednesday night at Los Angles club MyHouse like he was some kinda new ride at the Gymboree.

(h/t PIME)

UPDATE:

After this paragraph:

But Ronaldo seems unfazed by the criticism and instead appears to revel in how he is perceived. "I love it when people jeer me. I love to see the hate in their eyes, to hear the insults. It doesn't bother me," the Portugal international told the French magazine So Foot. "It's true lots of people hate me but there are even more who love and support me. I feel bad only when I play badly. Fortunately, that happens rarely.

this:

Ronaldo could well be joined at the Bernabéu by Franck Ribéry. The France international has indicated he is ready to leave Bayern Munich and has spoken to his compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who now works as an adviser to the Real president Florentino Pérez, about a transfer to the Spanish capital.

Ceebus Jucking Fhrist.