In case you missed it, the Portland Timbers played to an absolutely ridiculous draw against a New York Red Bull side who were lucky to come away with a point if it hadn't been for Ricardo Salazar.
Actually, I'm not sure which way the game would've gone, because it was hands-down the wildest game I've seen in MLS.
Other than the wild swings of pace, the Chicharito remake, an own goal, and a stoppage-time penalty, MLS referee Ricardo Salazar, who officiated the match, was actually the one that puzzled everyone the most.
Late in the game, he mysteriously gave Thierry Henry a straight red (apparently for dissent) when Portland thug Adam Moffat walked up to him and started getting chippy. Henry didn't even look like he was bothered by Moffat's menacing thuggishness, but was more surprised by the red card he received. In any case, it means that Thierry Henry will be forced to miss this Thursday's home match.
And in case you forgot, the mid-week match is supposed to be kickoff to a Sounders Three Game Premier Pack. Which, instead of opening up the stadium for our rivals Portland and Vancouver, the front office thought it would be profitable to push NYRB and San Jose (of all teams) with the Manchester United friendly in between.
I've been ribbing MLS ref's recently, especially after some very inconsistent whistleblowing (more so than usual). I can almost guarantee you that Henry's ejection won't be under examination in the USSF's Week in Review. But maybe because this will probably have the business suits in the Sounders FO a little frustrated with the absence of Henry that someone will finally stand up re-examine our league's officiating.
The situation just kind of sucks. Because if say for example, the upper deck doesn't completely fill out for all three of the games, then it might make the FO a little more hesitant to open them up for future league matches. So even though NYRB will be missing Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, Tim Ream, Juan Agudelo, and likely Dane Richards, I command all of you to make it out for a great summer match.