A good guy and a good ref

 Just learned from a Facebook friend that Dick Budd died last week.  

Dick was one of the better local referees in South Jersey back when my kids were playing.  I knew Dick was an optician by trade but did not know he was an Army veteran who served in Korea (as I did) and a Rotarian as my father was.

As a coach or parent you were always happy to see Dick Budd referee your game.  Not only was he a nice guy, he knew the Laws Of The Game, was fair and hustled.  It didn't hurt that he had a sense of humor.  In one game we ran a trick play on a free kick where one of our girls stepped over the ball without touching it, causing the other team to encroach - which should have given us another free kick which we would have used for a quick restart.   Dick missed the stepover and did not call the encroachment, causing howls from the parents.  Instead of getting upset, he just shrugged and said, "What can I say?  I blew it."  Heckling became laughter and earned respect.

Dick's obituary is here:  

Fun While It Lasted

 I just stumbled upon a website that is a comprehensive list of defunct teams, leagues and venues.  The site was created by Andrew Crossley, GM of the WPS' Boston Breakers in 2011. In soccer it lists, among others, the Philadelphia Atoms, Spartans and Ukrainians; and the American Soccer League and North American Soccer League.  It's called Fun While It Lasted.  Alot of memories on these lists.

The First Fan

 Who knew that our new president was a huge soccer fan.  Apparently so, according to Sports Illustrated, which writes: "Joe Biden has helped inaugurate an MLS club, been to three World Cups, had a say on equal pay and, as the new POTUS, will play a part in 2026 World Cup preparations. Here are the tales from his time around the highest levels of soccer."

The story is written by Brian Straus and entitled, "Biden and the Beautiful Game."

Diego Maradona Dead at 60

 Argentine great Diego Maradona, who scored one of the most infamous goals in World Cup history, died of a heart attack at age 60 today in Tiegre, Argentina.  Jere  Longman has an extensive obituary in the New York Times.

Maradona ruled the 1986 World Cup in Mexico City, won by Argentina.  In the quarterfinal against England he broke a scoreless tie in the 51st minute by intercepting a pass in the air to British keep Peter Shilton and heading it - or so it seemed - into the net.  Turns out he fisted it into the net and somehow the referee did not see it.  

According to Longman, "Maradona later gave conflicting accounts of what had happened. At first he said he had never touched the ball with his fist; then he said he had done so accidentally; then he attributed the goal to divine intervention, to 'the hand of God.' " Four minutes later he dribbled some 70 yards and scored what proved to be the game winner.

In 2000 FIFA voted Maradona and Pele the two greatest players.  Unlike Pele, Maradona had a long history of drug addiction.  In 1991 he was given a 15-month suspension for a positive cocaine test.  His behavior became erratic, it was said.  In 1994 he was kicked out of the World Cup in the United States after testing positive for various stimulants. 

Health issues included alcohol abuse, treatment for a weakened heart and psychiatric treatment.  He was the father of eight children, including three while he was in Cuba treating for drug addiction.

Argentina has declared three days of mourning.

Union Busting

 The Supporters Shield will have to do for the Philadelphia Union tis year as they were ousted in the opening game of the play-offs last night by the New England Revolution, 2-0.  The Inquirer's Jonathan Tannenwald does his usual excellent job in describing the game.  

How The Union Got Where They Are

The Philadelphia Union, winners of the Supporters Shield, begin their play-off run Tuesday at 8 p.m. at home against the New England Revolution.  The Inquirer's Jonathan Tannenwald, has a story in today's editions about how the team's academy helped them to the top.  Well-done piece worth a read.

Is This Soccer? Massachusetts High Rules

 Just as it has touched everything else in our lives, the coronavirus has altered high school soccer, at least in Massachusetts.  Andrew Keh in today's New York Times describes the rule changes there that have affected the way the game is played. No headers, no throw-ins (replaced by free kicks), no defensive walls.  Games are no quarters rather than halves.  Goalies cannot punt past midfield.  Physical contact with an opponent is permitted.

A violation of one of these rules is a "covid foul" and give the other team an indirect free kick.  

Phil  Silva, coach of Bishop Sheehan, says the rules have slowed down the game because of the number of stoppages for the covid fouls.

It's sad to see the game so drastically altered and especially slowed down, but as Keh reports, most believe playing by these rules is better than not playing at all.