Pay Attention, Parents

The sign below was posted on a family member's Facebook page as we get ready for baseball season.  Although it is from a Little League Baseball field, its message is just as important to youth soccer and for that matter all other youth sports.



Enjoy the spring season!

Mexican Refs Walk

Referees in Mexico refused to officiate games in the top division last weekend, protesting what they said was light punishment of two players who assaulted officials.  As reported in the New York Times, one player shoved a ref after a red card and another from a different team head-butted an official.  The referees reported both players for “aggression,” which could have led to yearlong suspensions. But the league’s disciplinary committee issued eight- and 10-match suspensions for the lesser offense of “attempted aggression.”  The Times said refs showed up for a match Friday but refused to take the field so the game was not played.  Matches on Saturday and Sunday also were not played.

Mallory Pugh

.Good story on Yahoo Sports last week about Mallory Pugh of U.S. WNT.

Standing For The United States

As reported in today's New York Times, U.S. Soccer will now require national team players to stand during the playing of the national anthem.  The new rule is apparently in response to Megan Rapinoe, who knelt during the playing of the anthem before a friendly against Thailand as well as before a match with her club team,  the Seattle Reign. 

For those who howl "she has a right of free speech":  no she doesn't when it comes to a non-governmental entity such as U.S. Soccer.  A governmental agency may not require someone to stand during the Star Spangled Banner, but an employer may.  And that aside, if an athlete is representing the United States, she should show respect for the country.  She is certainly free to express her opinions on Twitter, to the media or whatever, but when it comes to the national anthem, it is not unreasonable to expect American athletes to show respect.