The Orlando Pride lost 1-0 last weekend to the Houston Dash. In that match, referee Reyna Fonseca gave two Orlando Pride players red cards. While the red cards were justified, Fonseca awarded a penalty kick in the 85th minute. Sofia Huerta scored the spot kick, and the Dash won by a goal. However, Fonseca wrongly called a penalty, as the NWSL later admitted, and there should never have been a foul. Had there been no penalty, it’s unlikely Marta would have shown the frustration she did in picking up the team’s second red card.
U.S. Soccer Referee Structure Puts NWSL Below MLS
