Miazga into Officials Locker Room
First, I was going to sit on this, then I saw the referee group put something out, with many people having comments that were way off, I was told of another outlet putting out information with errors.
I do like Matt, he is a good local player but is rather intense for lack of a harsher word. Even after this incident, he was fine, even joking about showing love after his PK and interactions with the fans. He spoke to a friend in Polish and was calm, but yes, he did enter the official’s locker room post game of the win over NYRB.
He was carded 2x, one during PK’s and thusly was NOT removed from the game. It was a physical game on both his and the Red Bulls side, as would be expected of a playoff game, on team looking to stay alive, the other to have an extended time off to heal and prepare, there were a few heated moments in the game, but nothing really over the top.
What did occur was this, while awaiting to speak with him and others from FCC, we were able to say hi and bye to but one of them? He exited the visitor’s Locker Room, just opposite that of the officials, not the best place, put it further away and restrict players being in that direction, there are other locker rooms further away. He came out and entered their area as yelling began. A staffer of FCC was just outside their locker room and I let him know twice to get Miazga out of there. I am sure he was not locked into me as he was doing something but did get him out, after 15 seconds maximum. What happened inside, I cannot say.
I have worked for a trio of pro teams and a pair of NCAA teams, been outside the locker rooms literally 100’s of times, never once having his happen. Why did it happen, he did not keep himself in check, that is the bottom line, well over half an hour later. Why was he able to do so, the one security person, well smaller but it makes no never mind, was not blocking a door that opens in. That person should have been in that doorway, this physical obstacle would have at least slowed him down or had him not do it, just getting by a person is easier than getting to what is directly behind them. Further down the hall is at least one other locker room, though a full size one, put the referees there, it is not nearly as close to the locker rooms. That distance, may have been enough, coupled with the players restricted from that space again easier.
For some reason, the home and away teams do no use the same press conference rooms, at times conducting them at the same time, some away teams do so only via zoom? Why does soccer not get the press it wants, if one has to choose which pressers to attend, it will do just that less press. FCC, the coach, his brother who had played for my last team, is the head coach of Wake Clemson, also in a playoff run. To show the appreciation of this and his successes thus far, Supporters Shield and this win was not possible. Typically in using the same room for the home and away teams, away goes first so that they are not in front of fewer people in following the home team and it allows press the opportunity to question both sides without moving, delays etc. As this game went to PK’s , yes it was rather delayed, the reason given for FCC not making players available, though some were? It is a charter flight, can it leave without the team? Newark airport is the next town over, no idea what airport they were headed to Teterboro, JFK, LAG?