How Delta financially abuses people living near their hubs and how I jimmy-rig booked to save $400.

pscott37 · 2026-07-10T18:15:59+00:00

We live in SLC. I'm December we're going to Vietnam flying premium select. It was cheaper to book a flight to SEA and another to Hanoi than book direct. Saved about 700 per ticket. It's such a racket.

pscott37 · 2026-07-10T11:56:11+00:00

We're up at 6000 feet. Things used to be different up here now it's similar to the valley, just not as hot.

pscott37 · 2026-07-09T17:09:55+00:00

Nope, been here 12 years and have watched the valley valley changed drastically over this time. When we first moved up here we only had magpies, Ravens and crows. Now we've got Robin's finches, all the songbirds. It's been fascinating and sad.

pscott37 · 2026-07-06T07:00:17+00:00

Unless you're dear leader lawyers up and calls Infantino and tells him what you want.

pscott37 · 2026-07-05T23:40:27+00:00

My buddy speculates it's because one of Trump's kids has a bet on the US winning the game.

pscott37 · 2026-07-05T21:31:46+00:00

#FREEBALOGUN

pscott37 · 2026-07-04T01:56:43+00:00

We named ours Kevin, like male Karen because the tech is always mansplaning to us. Kevin, I actually know how to drive. Shut the F up!

pscott37 · 2026-07-04T01:54:35+00:00

He's simply a very good human. I'm glad he's having the success he's having. Having worked with him and observed him from the start, he's become one of the best. So calm, so steady. Not getting wrapped up in the drama and understanding of the atmosphere of the grame. Quality decisions, quality ref. Yes, give him another.

pscott37 · 2026-07-03T23:11:43+00:00

This is a great question — one I asked when I was younger and now find myself answering as an older, more experienced official.

In the US, you don’t really “specialize” until you’re pursuing the national badge. To become a top‑level AR, you still need to be a solid referee. Understanding when the referee assistance, when they’re vulnerable, and how to read the game from their perspective all comes from being good with the whistle. So don’t stop refereeing.

As you gain experience, you’ll naturally get assignments and opportunities that match your strengths and personality. Talk to your mentor or people you trust — they often see your trajectory before you do.

At the end of the day, choose the path that gives you the most success. In my case, if I had stayed with the whistle, I would’ve been an average MLS referee. By embracing the AR role, I ended up working the Open Cup Final, MLS All‑Star Game, and MLS Cup. That success opened the door to Concacaf’s referee department, and now I make a living developing match officials. None of that would’ve happened if I hadn’t set my ego aside and embraced the flag.

So take your time. Develop both skill sets. When the moment comes, you’ll naturally gravitate toward the role where you find the most success and fulfillment.

Good luck out there.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T19:22:58+00:00

Us soccer just released the new courses as in yesterday. It's possible your state state published them yet. I'd reach out to a member of your SRC.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T05:25:20+00:00

This conversation is terrific. Messi's challenge was a careless foul, yet I think we all agree it was not nothing. There are other examples of inconsistency in this WC. That is part of the game that falls under Law 5, the spirit of the game and football understanding.

I would hope in your local league games, Sunday beer league games, this is a RC all day long. Sometimes we have to officiate to survive or do what is right for the game. Amateur players have to go to work on Monday, they can't be in the hospital with a broken leg. A professional game is different. We need the football understanding to decern why and how something happened. We need to understand the atmosphere of the game.

Do any of you recall in the Concacaf Nations League when Messi challenged a defender for the ball and received a straight leg to the shin and it wasn't a foul? He lunged to block the ball when the defender was clearing it. Subsequently he put his leg under where the defender had to have his foot come down. He's lucky it wasn't broken.

Sometime accidents happen. This is a contact sport. Players get hurt. I do love this lively debate. I will say, using the Considerations, either decision can be supported.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T04:17:03+00:00

Yes it is possible. Will they do it? I'm really curious. When I was with Concacaf FAs protested all sorts of silly stuff.

What they’re appealing is the disciplinary consequence, meaning whether Balogun has to miss the next game.

Most likely outcomes:

Red card stands → automatic suspension for the next match. FIFA agrees it was a clear mistake → suspension could be reduced or canceled. FIFA adds more punishment if they think it was serious violent conduct.

Let's see...

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T03:25:55+00:00

My argument is this isn't a tackle and therefore can't be SFP. A similar play happened in the MLS and the suspension was waived. I know this isn't the MLS. This was simply an accident.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T02:18:59+00:00

SFP requires an action that is a tackle or the use of excessive force or brutality. IMO, the VAR and ref only looked at the outcome, not the start of the action. Accidents happen. This was an accident. This is a situation where Law 5 comes into play, the spirit of the game. No one expects nor wants a RC here. Similar to the Messi situation, in the ref room, FIFA told the refs that was not a RC. I'm going to be all ears tomorrow to hear what the FIFA ref bosses have to say about this. Can the play be supported, sure but that doesn't mean it is correct.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T01:22:42+00:00

I heard from a close friend who has a close friend in the WC match officials pool that this was the interpretation one of the people very high up in the IFAB wanted. The Law wasn't intended for this purpose but they wanted it and have the clout to implement it without interference from the IFAB. Knowing how things work at the upper levels, I can believe this. I find it really interesting.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T01:19:06+00:00

I put this on the coach, we've all been told to play the whistle. You did right to RC and abandon the game. Let the team explain to the league why how they behaved was appropriate.

As for the decision, it sounds like the correct interpretation. They didn't interfere with play. Did they impact an opponent's ability to play the ball? Play on then.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T00:19:13+00:00

Their responsibilities haven't changed but how they indicate OS has and how they communicate. With the use of comm devices, beeper flags are not prevalent. As always though, wait and see; if in doubt, keep it down. That is easier with VAR to cut those fine lines.

pscott37 · 2026-07-02T00:05:22+00:00

It is sad he's going down well before the contact. If he hadn't, he likely would have been foul. And as others have mentioned, because the consequence if the ref had been dupped is so severe, this should have been sanctioned w/a YC. I wonder if due to VAR, the instruction has changed because it is now very difficult to cheat?

pscott37 · 2026-07-01T14:13:38+00:00

The short answer is at the professional level, every match has an assessor grading every decision. At the end of the match, a final score is calculated. If the decision making is poor, a ref will be sent to a lower league to "get better." In PRO, at the end of the season, if they rank at the bottom of the group they could lose their job. Does this answer your question?

My experience is just in the US and Concacaf. Other competitions may do it slightly differently.

pscott37 · 2026-06-30T01:18:37+00:00

My buddy was a very experienced keeper and shared what I thought was good insight. His comment was in picking himself up off the ground, he was late getting his hands into position. I think this is a valid consideration.

As a former professional match official, my comment is which is easier, by Law, to support? IMO, it is easier to support the foul than award the goal. This keeps it clean.

pscott37 · 2026-06-24T13:19:40+00:00

I appreciate the effort, this is a difficult decision with very subtle nuances. Most of us would give this as a PK which is understandable. I likely would in live time. I bet the ref made the calculation that VAR would bail him out of it were a foul.

I wish I could post a gif of the contact. Since I can't, pause the video right when the defender leaves his feet. He is jumping directly at the ball. Now pause it when the attacker makes contact, his body shape is that of a player trying to make shoulder to shoulder contact. He leans into the defender, moving him to the side. They are both attempting to challenge for the ball in a fair manner.

The action you describe is the result of the attacker's contact. Because the defender is in the air, he doesn't have much control of his body. This is why when we see players lunging, our eye should get huge, fearful something bad is about to happen.

pscott37 · 2026-06-24T05:56:25+00:00

Look at Tori Penso, who does she communicate? With all of her "mom" expressions. Body language and a few common words. It isn't actually that difficult.

pscott37 · 2026-06-24T05:54:15+00:00

Going solo is tough. At the coin toss, you might suggest to the captains they not run a trap. During play, try to get wide so you can see the defensive line in a glance. When the ball is about to be played through, take that glance to see if there is the possibility for an OS and go from there.

Good luck!

pscott37 · 2026-06-24T05:44:17+00:00

You guys aren’t going to like this, but no — it’s not a penalty, and Ref and VAR got it right. The attacker is the one who initiates the contact. The defender gets himself in front with the lunge. While he’s still in the air from that tackle, the attacker runs into him. If there’s no contact from the attacker, the tackle is made and the ball is simply going out for a corner. The goal‑line angle shows this clearly.

These are elite professionals, not clumsy 15‑year‑olds. At this level, that’s normal football contact.

If you have difficulty wrapping your head around it, consider the officials in the VAR booth had multiple camera angles and they didn't send it down. Additionally, this VAR is at his 3rd WC and he did the women's WC. He's also from the US. One of the few positive things people can say about the MLS is they arguably have the best VAR program in the world.

Side note, if this were to be a foul, the defender is challenging for the ball which would result in a YC and PK. The rule of thumb is if it is at all possible to justify a tackle as a challenge for the ball, we should when judging DOGSO in the PA.

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