Mexico just got screwed

[KipsBayEagle]

should be up 1 nothing.  ref AND lines judge both called off sides on a corner kick goal when there was a south african defender on the post.

[TJ]

How can there be offsides on a corner kick?  The ball is already as far down the field as it could possibly be, so you can only kick it towards your own goal.

I HATE the soccer offsides rule.  A floating line that can't be crossed based on the position of players from the other team is stupid.

[KipsBayEagle]

It was off a deflection, so their technically could be offsides.  Its just that there was a south african defender on the post.  You can't miss that if your a ref.  kids do that in kindergarden leagues.

[StillAWarrior]

It was off a deflection, so their technically could be offsides.  Its just that there was a south african defender on the post.  You can't miss that if your a ref.  kids do that in kindergarden leagues.

I'm not a soccer expert by any stretch, but where was the keeper?  Isn't the offsides rule that you can't be behind the next to last opponent?  Was the keeper out in the box, meaning that the guy on the post was the last opponent (not the "next to last)?  I didn't see they play, so I'm not disagreeing.  Just wondering.

[mu03eng]

It is a horrible missed call, but being offside on a corner is relatively easy.  Typically, once the ball is put in play, if it gets out near the top of the area, you want your defenders pushing out quick for the very reason to catch them offside if it deflects back into the goal mouth.  Obviously not what happened here, but there is a legit strategy.

As far as offside sucking, its certainly better than the boom ball you would see everyone play where you kick it long and use pure speed up top for endless breakaways.  Its just a fundamental part of the game, and really no less nebulous than a block/charge call.

And yes still, the offside rule is two players behind the player, and it doesn't matter if its the keeper, its any two players at the time the ball is played.

[Big Papi]

I don't know.  Are you sure Mexico just got screwed?  Yes it was a corner kick so no offsides but once deflected, the Mexican player was in an offside position because the goalkeeper had moved forward and there was only 1 defender (defender in post) between the Mexican player and the goal and he took advantage of his position.  My original thought was offsides but I guess I would need to see the play again.


Link below is a great flash illustration of the offside rule for those that want to know more about the rule.

http://www.fifa.com/flash/lotg/football/en/flash/start.html


I believe there was serious discussion of eliminating the offside rules so I would not be shocked if they do eliminate the rule some time in the future.

[mugrad99]

1. "next to last" is the key....

2. Regardless, it was against Mexico, so I'll take it. Just be glad it was not in Mexico City, or the bags of urine would be flying.

[StillAWarrior]

It is a horrible missed call,

It's probably not up yet anywhere, but if (when) someone finds a link to video of the call...I'd like to see it.

[Big Papi]

I'm not a soccer expert by any stretch, but where was the keeper?  Isn't the offsides rule that you can't be behind the next to last opponent?  Was the keeper out in the box, meaning that the guy on the post was the last opponent (not the "next to last)?  I didn't see they play, so I'm not disagreeing.  Just wondering.

There was only 1 defender between Mexican player and goal.  Keeper had moved forward to stop the ball when ball was deflected to the offensive player.

[StillAWarrior]

There was only 1 defender between Mexican player and goal.  Keeper had moved forward to stop the ball when ball was deflected to the offensive player.

OK, so it sounds like he was in an offside position.  Did he get involved in the play?

[Big Papi]

OK, so it sounds like he was in an offside position.  Did he get involved in the play?

The player in the offside position scored the goal.  If the corner kick would have went straight to the Mexican player it would have been no offsides and a goal no matter how many S.A. players were between him but once the ball was deflected it was offsides.  I think the commentators blew the call and not the refs.

[KipsBayEagle]

No, it was a goal.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5275608&categoryid=4823314&cc=5901&ver=us

[StillAWarrior]

No, it was a goal.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5275608&categoryid=4823314&cc=5901&ver=us

Came to say the same thing.  I saw the ESPN Highlight and the guy who scored the goal  clearly was offside.  I think people were confused because the keeper had moved up the field to get the ball.  As a result, there was only one defender between the Mexican player and the goal.  Good call. 

[WellsstreetWanderer]

South Africa was the more exciting team on the pitch today. The offside was the correct call and I can't wait for Los Tris to get spanked by the French.

[brewcity77]

Offside call wasn't even remotely a question. There was only one man between Vela and the goal. It makes absolutely no difference if that man is the keeper or a field player. If you are beyond the second-to-last man back when the ball is played forward, you are in an offside position. Right call all the way.

[MUfan12]

That call was 100% correct. When the keeper came off his line, he became the second last defender. There was a header off the corner kick which played the "goal" scorer offside.

South Africa's goal was a cracking finish. It's too bad the captain got caught sleeping and played 8 guys onside on the Mexico goal.

Uruguay and France is a very interesting match. Forlan for Uruguay was fantastic for Atletico Madrid this past season, I wonder if France can keep him contained.

[ATWizJr]

Offside call wasn't even remotely a question. There was only one man between Vela and the goal. It makes absolutely no difference if that man is the keeper or a field player. If you are beyond the second-to-last man back when the ball is played forward, you are in an offside position. Right call all the way.

What if the ball had been played to Vela by a South African player?  Or had deflected off of a SA player?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Came to say the same thing.  I saw the ESPN Highlight and the guy who scored the goal  clearly was offside.  I think people were confused because the keeper had moved up the field to get the ball.  As a result, there was only one defender between the Mexican player and the goal.  Good call.  

Agreed.   Most people don't understand the offside rule in soccer.  I'll admit, the rule is not ideal in my opinion, but this was a call that was 100% correct and would have been called at all levels I played at, including pee wees in AYSO.

[brewcity77]

What if the ball had been played to Vela by a South African player?  Or had deflected off of a SA player?

in that situation, in the scrum in the box, it probably would have been called offside. But by the rules, Vela could have played it. I remember one game where a player lazily played a ball back to his own keeper and the forward intercepted the ball and scored despite being in what would have been an offside position. But yes, it does matter if it's an attacker playing a ball forward or a defender playing the ball back.